International Business is an upper-level undergraduate course covering the international business environment (e.g., economic, political, legal, and cultural aspects), current trends in institutions that provide the context within which a global firm operates (e.g., the World Bank, the United Nations, and various economic blocs), the various ways international or global business is conducted, and career strategies for performing in the global or international business environment. Topics included in the course include culture, ethics, strategy, production, logistics, marketing, and human resource management in international business. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to identify risks and opportunities in international business, recognize cultural and ethical issues in international business, and analyze issues in international business management.

Course Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. Discuss the impact of globalization on countries, businesses and their citizens.

2. Analyze socialization, educational systems, and organizational practices in several countries with regard to their impact on economic development and national economies.

3. Explain the significance of international organizations and agreements that affect business.

4. Analyze the political, legal, economic, and cultural environment of multinational organizations.

5. Evaluate the impact of internationalization on strategies and on mode of entry.

6. Apply knowledge of cultural values and practices to evaluate the management.

7. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and corporate citizenship.

8. Present an overview of functional areas in international business organizations.

9. Explain functions of trade alliances and supranational organizations.

10. Demonstrate Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher skills.

Major & Curriculum Objectives Targeted

11. Discuss globalization and its impact on countries, businesses and their citizens.

12. Critically evaluate assumptions and assertions on the benefits and issues of globalization.

13. Analyze the political, legal, economic, socio/cultural environment of multinational organizations and use this analysis to develop competitive strategies in a global environment.

14. Apply knowledge of cultural values to select appropriate management and leadership styles and practices and to identify inappropriate attitudes and behaviors.

15. Evaluate the problems and advantages of various marketing strategies for a global business.

16. Consider entrepreneurship in global business, its contribution to economic development, and trends in innovation.

17. Analyze the new opportunities offered by B-business, social enterprise, cooperatives, and other novel forms of business organization.

Teaching Methodology

This is a fully online course in which all of the instructional materials and activities are delivered through Blackboard, and/or other internet-based media. Should you have any questions, please contact the professor. Any of the following may be used:

. Internet research

. Case discussions

. Selected DVD clips, video, internet files, etc.

. Discussion of assigned readings on discussion forums

. Lectures taped by instructor or from internet resources such as the TED lectures

. Individual assignments and reports

. Group assignments and reports

. Use of appropriate technologies including Excel, Power Point, and Publisher presentations

Assurance Of Learning

The College of Business cares about the quality of your education. For more information please visit the Assurance of Learning site to learn more on the College's commitment to this initiative.

Important Information

Policies

Please review the FIU policies page as it contains essential information regarding guidelines relevant to all courses at FIU and additional information on the standards for acceptable netiquette important for online courses.

Technical Requirements & Skills

One of the greatest barriers to taking an online course is a lack of basic computer literacy. By computer literacy we mean being able to manage and organize computer files efficiently, and learning to use your computer's operating system and software quickly and easily. Keep in mind that this is not a computer literacy course; but students enrolled in online courses are expected to have moderate proficiency using a computer. Please go to the " What's Required " page to find out more information on this subject. This course utilizes the following tools:

1. Adobe Connect: software used to create information and general presentations, online training materials, web conferencing, virtual meetings, desktop sharing and lectures.

1. Microsoft Word: graphical word processing program that users can type with.

1. Microsoft Excel: spreadsheet application that allows for calculations, graphing, and tables.

1. Microsoft Publisher: similar to Microsoft Word but this software focuses more on the page layout and design rather than on text composition.

1. iPeer: web application that allows for rubric-based peer evaluations. Students can provide feedback for the performance of their group members.

Please visit our technical requirements page for additional information.

Accessibility And Accommodation

Obtain more detailed information about the specific limitations with the technologies used in this course. Review Blackboard's Accessibility Commitment for more information. For additional assistance please contact our Disability Resource Center .

Course Prerequisites

This course has at least one prerequisite. Review the Course Catalog webpage for prerequisites information.

Proctored Exam Policy

This course does not have proctored exams.

It is the student’s responsibility to determine whether this online course requires proctored exams by carefully reviewing this syllabus. For detailed instructions please visit our Student Proctored Exam Instructions page on the FIU Online website.

Note: This course has chapter quizzes which are considered for participation grade only. There is one open book, open notes final exam which is tightly timed so that if you do not actually know the material and you need to look up answers you will run out of time. Therefore, no proctor is needed.

Textbook

International Business (10th edition)

Charles W. L. Hill

McGraw-Hill, 2014

ISBN-10: 007811277X

ISBN-13: 978-0078112775

You may purchase your textbook online at the FIU Bookstore .

Expectations Of This Course

This is an online course, meaning that most (if not all) of the course work will be conducted online. Expectations for performance in an online course are the same as for a traditional course; in fact, online courses require a degree of self-motivation, self-discipline, and technology skills that can make them more demanding for some students.

Students are expected to:

. Review the how to get started information located in the course content

. Introduce yourself to the class during the first week by posting a self introduction in the appropriate discussion forum

. Take the practice quiz to ensure that your computer is compatible with Blackboard and take the syllabus quiz

. Interact online with instructor/s and peers

. Review and follow the course calendar

. Log in to the course at least once per week

. Respond to discussion boards, blogs and journal postings each week

. Respond to all communication within 3 days

. Submit assignments by the corresponding deadline

The instructor will:

. Log in to the course on a daily basis

. Respond to discussion boards, blogs and journal postings within 7 days

. Respond to messages within 7 days

. Grade assignments within 30 days of the assignment deadline

Course Detail

Course Communication

Communication in this course will take place via Messages.

Messages are a private and secure text-based communication that occurs within a Course and among Course members. Users must log on to Blackboard to send/receive/read messages. The Messages tool is located on the left side Course Menu (Blackboard user interface). It is recommended that students check their messages routinely to ensure up-to-date communication.

Visit our writing resources page for more information on professional writing and technical communication skills.

Discussion Forums

Keep in mind that forum discussions are public, and care should be taken when determining what to post. Participation in discussion forums is considered in the participation allocation for grading.

Students who participate on a weekly basis will receive full credit; students who participate five times or less receive half-credit; other credits are prorated accordingly.

Students must follow current events to be aware of current and potential issues affecting international business. Students are also expected to participate in discussions and exercises on topics that come up during the semester. This is another important element of class participation.

Adobe Connect Pro Meeting

Adobe Connect is an online meeting room where you can interact with your professor and fellow students by sharing screens or files, chat, broadcast live audio, and take part in other interactive online activities. We will be utilizing this tool to review the final exam.

Meetings will be available on the following dates:

. Meeting 1: September 6th @ 12:00 PM

. Meeting 2: October 3th @ 12:00 PM

. Meeting 3: October 31st @ 12:00 PM

Requirements for using Adobe Connect:

. Disable any window pop-up blocker.

. Adobe Flash Player is required to successfully run your Adobe Connect meeting. You can test your computer to make sure your computer and network connections are properly configured to provide you with the best possible Adobe Connect meeting experience.

. Use of a combination headset and microphone with USB connection is recommended to ensure quality sound and reduce technical difficulties.

Reference Adobe Connect (Tutorials & Help) for additional information.

Assessments

In order to mitigate any issues with your computer and online assessments, it is very important that you take the "Practice Quiz" from each computer you will be using to take your graded quizzes and exams. It is your responsibility to make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements . Assessments in this course are not compatible with mobile devices and should not be taken through a mobile phone or a tablet. If you need further assistance please contact FIU Online Support Services .

Quiz Expectations:

Chapter quizzes are available for each chapter. Taking the quizzes will be counted as an element of your class participation. Three tries are allowed per chapter quiz, but taking the quiz is what counts, NOT the grade earned. I recommend you take the quiz first BEFORE you read the chapter to get a sense of what is important, then again AFTER you read the chapter to see if you understand the material. The questions on these quizzes come from the publisher’s test bank and they do not generally require a high level of analytical thinking. For the final exam, I construct the questions myself and they require higher level thinking than the chapter quizzes.

Chapter reading assignments and quizzes should be completed during the week assigned. I list the BEGINNING day of the week that you have to do the chapter. The quiz is due by the last day of that week. Chapter reading assignments include opening and closing cases. There are also extra cases after chapters 5, 9, and 15, and an appendix after chapter 6. These should be read along with the chapters that precede them.

. Chapter quizzes are graded, but three tries are allowed and grades don’t count for calculating the final grade. Rather, just taking the quizzes is a part of the participation grade.

. Quizzes are available from Monday through the end of the week. One hour per try is allowed.

. Students are given quiz grades immediately.

. All quizzes are opened for review for a brief time before the final exam.

Assignments

Assignment Expectations:

. Late assignments will receive half credit.

. Groups and topics will be assigned by instructor.

. Dropboxes are provided for turning in assignments.

. Grading rubrics will be provided for each assignment.

. Written assignments will be graded within 30 days or before the end of the semester.

. There will be 3 assignments: a group project, an individual project, and a personal essay. Each is described below.

Group Project: Images Of Earth

This assignment is intended to enhance research skills, teamwork skills, communication skills, writing skills, and skills in graphic presentation.

You may have noticed that your textbook has a considerable number of maps. Graphic images are increasingly important in intercultural communication. You will be assigned to a group whose task it is to produce a short newsletter using Word Publisher to deal with a topic assigned by the instructor. Sample topics are (a) The Impact of Global Warming on Agriculture in North America, (b) International Investment Flows into Africa, or (3) Real Estate Values in EU Cities. Following are some interesting websites on maps and mapping:

. Fundamentals of Mapping

. World Mapper

. Guide Picks - Top 8 Atlases

. Images of NASA - Earth Lights

Use the group forum to develop your project. Any student whose contributions are not present in the group forum will not receive credit for the project. Start out by developing a work schedule and the contribution each person is expected to make in the group. You will need to (a) identify a group convener, (b) do individual research on the topic for a short period of time, (c) formulate a work plan and schedule, (d) develop a draft, (e) critique and edit, and (f) approve and submit in “Group Project Dropbox.” On the first page put the title of the project and the names of everyone who contributes, and on the last page list the sources that your material comes from in APA format on the last page.

The outcome of your project should be a newsletter about four pages long showing a map and at least two other graphic images (bar graphs, pie charts, cartoons, etc.) that illustrate your findings, and a discussion on the most important elements of your research findings.

Submit in the "Assignment Dropbox" section of the course where it says "Group Project - Images of Earth" by September 17th 11PM EST.

Note: Along with the submission of the group assignment, students will be required to assess each other's group performance/contributions through iPeer. Access to iPeer will be available on the Course Menu through the "Peer Evaluation" section. The outcome of this assessment will contribute to 20% of your individual grade on the assignment. Your individual score will be based on the average of the evaluations from other members of your group. The professor reserves the right to make adjustments and/or changes to the evaluation grade.

Individual Project: Doing Business In____

This assignment is intended to enhance research skills, communication skills, writing skills, and skills in graphic presentation.

Assignment: Review relevant websites as defined in your text, in websites suggested in the syllabus or the text, and through your own research. Develop the following materials:

A. (Content) Choose those issues, persons, and organizations you will encounter in doing business in this country. Consider the following elements, as well as any other aspects that have particular relevance.

1. Basis for the economy—demographic and economic statistics

1. Notable cultural elements

1. Ties to global business—imports and exports, trade alliances, etc.

1. Current issues, conflicts, debates

1. Most important persons or organizations (companies, government authorities, etc.)

1. Opportunities and problems including political, economic, and environmental risks

1. Your assessment and recommendations for investors

B. (Presentation) Make Power Point presentation (12 slides maximum) having following components:

1. Title slide with name of presentation and your name

1. Map(s) of country, trade ties, etc.

1. Global business ties

1. Current issues, conflicts, debates

1. Most important persons or organizations

1. Opportunities and problems

1. List of references (websites, articles, books, etc.)

C. Produce a newsletter with the critical elements of the items listed above. Use Microsoft Office Publisher and produce a copy for each of the groups in the class and the instructor. Submit in the "Assignment Dropbox" section of the course where it says “Individual Project - Doing Business In__” by November 1st at 11PM EST.

What I Learned Essay

This assignment is intended to enhance the ability to reflect on learning, on the development of research skills, on the advantages and disadvantages of working in teams. Communication skills, writing skills, and skills in graphic presentation will also be developed.

Students should maintain a learning diary throughout the semester with weekly entries about the main topics covered and experiences obtained in the course. Comments on the formation and operation of teams and on assignments and readings are also encouraged.

The end product will be a final essay of 500 words on “What I Learned" and is to be submitted in the "Assignment Dropbox" section of the course where it says "What I Learned Essay" by December 3rd 11PM EST.

Grading

(Plusses and minuses may be given within general grade brackets. Under 60 is a failing grade.)

Course Requirements	Number of Items	Points for Each	Total Points Available	Weight
Group Project	1	50	50	20%
Individual Project	1	50	50	20%
Final Exam	1	50	50	20%
Participation (Includes chapter quizzes, discussion, & sustainability discussion)				20%
Chapter Quizzes	12	2	24
Discussions	12	2	24
Sustainability Discussion	1	2	2
"What I Learned" Essay	1	50	50	20%
Total	29	N/A	250	100%

Letter	Range
A	90 - 100%
B	80 - 89%
C	70 - 79%
D	60 - 69%
F	< 60%

Course Calendar

Weekly Schedule

Please note: This course will run on a Monday to Sunday schedule.

Week