I enjoy teaching a variety of courses, because it's more interesting that way. At Elizabethtown College, we only offer undergraduate business classes. However, in my previous life at York University's Schulich School of Business I taught at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Below are some links which may provide you with a better idea of the way I approach teaching, as well as my advice to students. Please feel free to email me if you want to chat. You can close this window to return to my home page.

Syllabi for Spring 2010: BA416 ;BA215A ;BA215B

Students often think that since I teach marketing, I would most certainly cater to their wants and needs. Those students who fancy themselves as my customers are in for a surprise. They are NOT my customers. Maybe schools will treat students as customers, but I do not. Instead, I encourage my students to treat me as their customer. After all, unless they submit work that satisfies me, they will not earn their grades.

I am not a particularly tough grader, nor am I the easiest. I do not take pride in giving people poor grades. At the same time, I do not see as my goal in life to give away easy As either. Students earn their grades by showing me that they know the stuff. It is entirely up to students how well they do in my classes.

Rule #1: Ed is always right.
Rule #2: If Ed is wrong, see rule #1.

Advice to Students

Get yourself a copy of Elements of Style. Believe it or not, bad writing is bad for your career.

Be on time. Not only does it say that you are reliable, but it also shows that you respect other people's schedules.

Understand the balance of power. Sometimes, the hard-headed approach just won't work. Unfortunately, it will be a few more years before you have much power at all. Get used to it.

You are here to learn. Don't assume you know. Because you really don't. Open your eyes, open your mind. Be inquisitive. No one can know all there is to know. We can all learn more.

You are not as smart as you think you are. No matter how smart you really are, chances are someone is smarter. No matter how much so-called experience you have (say, three summers worth?), there are others with more. Respect what others have to contribute.

It is YOUR education. Strange as it may seem, your professor already knows the stuff. She/he does not need to learn it any more. You do. If you don't take ownership of your own education, who will do it for you?

Go talk to your professors. I know it's tough, especially in larger schools. But as much as you can, go see them. Most of us love to talk to our students. How else do we know that you don't quite understand something? Don't wait till exam time to show your lack of knowledge. Talk to us now! Most of us are not monsters.

Keep current. Do you know what's going on in the world around you? Do you only get your news from MTV? Sadly, that ain't enough. Make a habit of reading Business Week, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, or something like that. It's always good to know what's happening out there. You'll be surprised how well you can apply your learning to the "real world" if you just try.

Know history. History is totally relevant. Why re-invent the wheel? Why suffer through what others who didn't know better had to? Ignorance of history subjects you to repeat the same errors. You know, you may like to think you live in a chaotic world. Try telling that to anyone who lived through the world wars or the great depression. Seriously.

Be respectful. I mean, show some respect for other people. The world does not, and never will, revolve around you. Be nice to others. Do unto others, that sort of thing. And be respectful of your own work. If you don't even respect the stuff you put your name on, do you honestly expect others to?

The world does not owe you anything, least of all a degree. Earn the thing! Trust me, your professor is under no obligation to pass you. I mean it.


There you go. Enjoy the journey!







The opinions and viewpoints expressed on this website are Ed Chung's, and are not endorsed by or necessarily correspond with those of any of the organizations Ed Chung is affiliated with.

Copyright(c)2001-2009 by Ed Chung. All rights reserved.