Ditching the Textbook: King’s Marketing Expands Field Experience to Multiple Businesses and NPOs

The latest marketing college textbooks—which still cost students upwards of $70—are becoming more and more out of touch with actual business operations in Northeastern Pennsylvania, according to a King’s College professor that is pioneering a different approach for his students this year. 

“We’re ditching the textbook and taking a more hands-on approach,” said J.C. Blewitt, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management. “One that not only allows our students to witness what they learn in real industrial settings, but also better incorporates the community service element that is so important to the King’s College mission.”

Last semester, Blewitt expanded the field experience component in his Global Supply Chain Management course, nearly doubling the number of site visits and including a wider range of partners across manufacturing, sports, community service, and the arts.

His students visited the McCarthy Tire Retread Plant, the Chewy Fulfillment Center, the Susquehanna Brewing Company, the Mohegan Sun Arena, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Volunteers of America, and the Weinberg Food Bank.

During the trips, students met with business and nonprofit leaders while observing manufacturing, packaging, and shipping operations from active production sites. They also took part in efforts to prepare donated cloth

ing and meals for families in need.

“Whether it’s for business or public service, our students learn first-hand how important teamwork, planning, and leadership is at both the local and international level,” Blewitt continued.

Blewitt supplemented the field trips with the latest case studies from the Harvard Business Review.

So far, student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Student remarks from a recent survey include:

• “I liked the hands-on approach we took at the Weinberg Food Bank. It was satisfying putting those boxes together for seniors.”
• “I liked the alternative approach to this class without the textbook. It helped us facilitate more discussion about real-life supply chain topics.”
• “I loved the field trips. You actually get to see what we learn go into practice, and the service-learning side is always important to do!”

As a result of last semester’s success, King’s College faculty will consider using Blewitt’s approach throughout other disciplines in the McGowan School of Business.