Course Syllabus

Syllabus

Fall 2013

 

Instructor Contact

Instructor	Robert Sweo
Office	BA1 422
Office Hours	MW 1:00-3:00
Phone	407-823-1237
E-mail	rsweo@ucf.edu

 

Course Information

Course Name	International Business
Course ID & Section	GEB 3375
Credit Hours	4
Semester	Fall 2013
Location	MW 3:00-4:15  BA1 0107

 

Required Text

Textbook

International Business: A Practical Approach by Robert Sweo and Sandra Pate. First Edition. CreateSpace Publishing 2013. 

ISBN#978-1490300849

       Available Through:

             Kindle Version:

                    Amazon.com   Link

             Paper Version

                    Amazon.com Link

                    CreateSpace Website: Link  if you use Discount Code: BLC56M5T at checkout $5 discount

                    University Bookstore: Link

Other Materials

There are several articles, videos, electronic activities and web sites that are required materials throughout the course. Links to each are provided in the modules or assignment section of the WebCourses@UCF web site. Make sure you check the course modules folder for each week of the course to make sure you are accessing all required materials.

Web Links

There are many useful web links provided under web links in course modules that will be very useful in doing international business research.  There are also a few that are just plain fun.

Course Description

Introduction to International Business:

Prerequisites - Junior standing and business major or minor. ECO 2013, ECO 2023, and ACG 2071.

Description - Understanding the interdependence of the global world economy and similarities and dissimilarities between domestic and international business domains.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Interpret basic trade/foreign direct investment theories. (comprehension)

Identify the major determinants of exchange rates. (knowledge)

Explain the impact of balance of payment conditions. (analysis)

Recognize how and why governments influence trade. (analysis)

Distinguish different forms of economic integration. (analysis)

Contrast various instruments in the foreign exchange market. (evaluation)

Recognize the sources of conflict in cross-cultural contact. (analysis)

Contrast different strategic options available. (comprehension)

Course Introduction

International business is similar to business conducted within a single country except international business has many added complexities. International business must deal with multiple cultures, economic and legal systems, financial systems, currencies and numerous other factors that may vary within a country as well but which usually vary far more between countries.

This class is a survey of international business management examined in the context of the increasing economic interdependence of nations and current economic, political, cultural, business, and managerial issues that have transnational significance. Overall concern is to clarify how the global economic, political, and cultural environment affects domestic and international businesses and public policy decisions.

Students will be able to register to attend the class lectures live, or to view lectures by streaming video. Both groups will be required to complete significant amounts of course work administered through WebCouses@UCF.

Evaluation and Grading

 Assessment                    Grade Weighting

Pretest	5%
10 Online Quizzes	10%
6 Online Exercises	10%
3 Periodic Exams	50%
Final Exam	25%
Total	100%

Extra Credit Opportunities   Up to 5%

Overall Grade

Your overall grade is based on a scale very close to the traditional 90% for an A, 80% for a B etc.  I will sometimes make slight adjustments when I see a cluster of students very close to a grade break.  For example the line for an A may be dropped to 89.8 instead of 90 if a large number of students score 89.9.  Never will the line for an A or B move far from 90 or 80.  The lowest either has gone is 89.5 and 79.5 respectively so do not rely on a change in the line to help your grade for an A or a B.  Since the line for a C has a much greater impact, it will at times move further.  I have moved the C line as low as 67 or 68 to avoid having a large number of students who scored 68 or 69 from having to repeat the class but again do not rely on this.  If there are only a few students affected, the C line could remain at 70.

+ and - Grades

 I do not use plus or minus grades.  Since there is an A- but not an A+ grade point averages from schools using a + or - system are usually lower then schools that do not use one.  That can hurt students applications to graduate school so I choose not to use + or minus grades.

 

Assessment Descriptions

Pretest

You should complete the International Business Pretest as one of your first activities in the class. You access the pretest through the Modules page in WebCourses@UCF.

The pretest is an assessment of your knowledge about international business as you enter the course. The pretest is a multiple choice online exam. You are likely to have learned about many international business issues in other classes and through readings in sources like Business Week and The Economists. The pretest will measure how much you know about international business as you enter the course. Your results on the pretest will be compared with your results on the final exam to discover what you learned and areas in which the course can be improved or modified.

Since the intent of the pretest is improving the course quality, you are not graded based on how many questions on the pretest you get correct but on your completion of the pretest in a timely manor. You earn the full 5 points on the pretest for completing it within the first week of the class.

6 Online Exercises

Online exercises are simulations and other exercises accessed through the course content pages of WebCourses@UCF. The exercises give you opportunities to practice concepts learned in class. They are intended to provide you with hands on experience to help you better understand theories you learned by asking you to think through cases and problems faced by managers in the international business realm.

See the class schedule for due dates. All online assignments are accessed through the course web site.

10 Online Quizes

There are eight regular online quizzes (numbered 1-8) scheduled through the semester. There are also 2 country data quizzes.  The quizzes are designed to give you practice with course materials before you reach the periodic and final exams. Each quiz is ten multiple choice, matching and/or fill-in questions. You can take a quiz as often you like during the week in which it is active. The questions on the exam will change each time you take it. Only your highest score on each quiz will be recorded so if you get a score you are unsatisfied with, you can retake the quiz to improve your score.

One of the main goals of the quizzes is to keep you on schedule in reviewing class streaming videos and other materials. Therefore there are no make-up quizzes. If you do not take a quiz during the week in which it is scheduled you will score a zero for that quiz.

3 Periodic Exams

The periodic exams are proctored exams taken in the UCF College of Business Testing Center or the regional center you registered for the class under. You must report to the testing center during the testing period for each exam during the testing centers hours of operation to take an exam.  Regional tests usually require an appointment.  Make sure you check with your testing center if you registered under a regional center.

Each periodic exam will be multiple choice, matching and/or fill-in questions. Exam questions will be derived from course lectures/streaming videos, textbook readings, course readings and online activities.

The 3 multiple choice exams will be comprised of 50 questions each. You will have one hour to complete each exam.

There will be no make-up exams*. Each students lowest test grade will be dropped from grade calculations.  If you miss one test, it will be your lowest test grade.  If you miss two, you will have a zero averaged into your test average.

Testing periods are several days each. The days are broken into two categories: regular test days and late test days.  You are expected to attempt each test during the regular testing period.  If you do not take a test during the regular testing period, you do not need special permission to take a test during the late period.  If something goes wrong during the late period, however, there is no time extensions or make-ups so you will miss the test.

*The only exceptions are documented school sponsored events or religious holidays. Since the exams periods will be several days long, only events that last the full testing period will be accepted as an excuse. If, for example, an event runs for 4 of 5 testing days, it is expected that you will take the test on the day not covered by the event.

Testing Center Use

You must take your tests at the testing center where you are registered for the class.  You are responsible for knowing the testing center times and policies for the testing center where you will be taking your Exams.  You can not rely on the times posted in webcourses to know when a testing center closes.  The test closing time in Webcourses is purposely set after the testing center closing time to allow time for the testing center to correct problems that occur at the end of a testing period.  You will need your student ID to take a test at any of the testing centers.

Final Exam

The Final Exam is a proctored exam taken in the UCF College of Business Testing Center. You must report to the testing center during the testing period, during the testing centers hours of operation to take the exam.

The exam will be multiple choice. Exam questions will be combine course lectures/streaming videos, course readings, and online activities with data from the countries emphasized in class.  The exam is cumulative.  Each question is based on theories from the class.  The answer to every question is the name of one of the countries studied that best fits the theory question.

Extra Credit

Outstanding Discussion Input – 1 to 5% points - Assigned by faculty member for particularly insightful additions to a discussion topic.  Note: these are rare and never given in larger than 1 point increments but an outstanding student could accumulate up to 5% points through very insightful additions to the class discussions.  Topics are typically graded 1 week after a topic is posted.  You can continue to add posting to a topic after grading is completed on it but you will not earn extra credit points for those postings.

Policies

Academic Honesty

Plagiarism and cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, or assignment will result at least in an "F" for that assignment (and may, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course) and may be subject to appropriate referral to the Office of Student Conduct for further action. See the UCF Golden Rule for further information. I will assume for this course that you will adhere to the academic creed of this University and will maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. In other words, don't cheat by giving answers to others or taking them from anyone else. I will also adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, so please do not ask me to change (or expect me to change) your grade illegitimately or to bend or break rules for one person that will not apply to everyone.

Missed Tests

There will be no make-up exams*. Each students lowest test grade will be dropped from grade calculations.  If you miss one test, it will be your lowest test grade.  If you miss two, you will have a zero averaged into your test average.

Netiquette

All students are expected to follow good rules of netiquette in all thier online transactions with other students and faculty in this course.  Netiquette guidelines as defined by:

http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html

will be strictly enforced in this class.  Any serious breach of netiquette can result in penalties ranging from loss of points on a particular assignment to recommendation for potential expulsion from the class or school.

Syllabus Revision:

This syllabus can be revised at any time by the instructor. Notification of changes will be made at least 1 week prior to the change taking affect.

Disability Statement:

The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss what is needed. No accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor. Students who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability Services, Student Resource Center Room 132, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116, before requesting accommodations from the professor.

Third-Party Software and FERPA

During this course you might have the opportunity to use public online services and/or software applications sometimes called third-party software such as a blog or wiki. While some of these could be required assignments, you need not make any personally identifying information on a public site. Do not post or provide any private information about yourself or your classmates. Where appropriate you may use a pseudonym or nickname. Some written assignments posted publicly may require personal reflection/comments, but the assignments will not require you to disclose any personally identity-sensitive information. If you have any concerns about this, please contact your instructor.

Class Schedule

Session	Assessments	Start Date	Due Date	Textbook Readings
Aug 19 -21	Multiple choice self- administered pretest	Aug 19	Aug 26	Chap 1 What is international business
Aug 26-28	Assignment 1, Quiz 1	Aug 28 Aug 28	Sep 4 Sep 4	Chap 2-3 Understanding World Cultures
Sep 4-9	Quiz 2	Sep 9	Sep 16	Chap 4-5 Political, Legal environments
Sep 11-16	Assignment 2, Quiz 3	Sep 11 Sep 16	Sep 18 Sep 23	Chap 6-7 Economic environments,   International ethics
Sep 17-21	Multiple choice proctored exam. Chap 1-7.   Regular testing: Sep 17-19. Late Testing: Sep 20-21*
Sep 23-25	Assignment 3, Quiz 4	Sep 23 Sep 25	Sep 30 Oct 2	Chap 8-9 International trade, Governments   influences on business
Sep 30- Oct 2   Video   Only	Assignment 4, Quiz 5	Oct 2 Oct 2	Oct 9 Oct 9	Chap 10-11 Currency exchange, Exchange rate   determination
Oct 7-9	Assignment 5 Quiz 6	Oct 9  Oct 9	Oct 16  Oct 16	Chap 12-13 International strategy/   Organization
Oct 14-21	Country Data Quiz	Oct 21	Oct 28	Country Data
Oct 22-26	Multiple choice proctored exam. Chap 8-13. Regular testing: Oct 22-24. Late testing: Oct 25-29*
Oct 28-30 Video Only	Assignment 6, Quiz 7	Oct 30 Oct 30	Nov 6 Nov 6	Chap 14-15 International manufacturing/ logistics,   International marketing
Nov 4-13	Quiz 8	Nov 13	Nov 20	Chap 16 – 17 International Human Resources,    International accounting, International financial management.
Nov 18-23	Multiple choice proctored exam. Chap 14-18.   Regular testing: Nov 18-21. Late testing: 22-23*
Nov 20-27				Country data comparisons
Dec2				Final Exam Prep
Dec 2-9	Comprehensive Final Exam. Regular   Testing: Dec 2- 5. Late Testing: Dec 6-9*

*See the testing lab schedule at the site you registered for to see the hours the lab is open and if you need a reservation.