Syllabus
Course Structure
Course Description
An overview of international business designed to provide a global perspective on international trade and direct foreign investment. The course reviews international, cultural, political, legal, and economic environments. This includes their effect on sourcing, market entry, marketing, and human resource management strategy.
Course Outcome
By the end of this course successful students should be able to:
- Analyze the cultural, political, legal, and economic environment of a nation. Also, its effect on business strategy, management, and operations in the country.
- Explain the common incentives and restrictions placed by governments to encourage or discourage trade and foreign investment.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of foreign exchange and regional economic integration.
- List the various options available for entry into foreign markets, and the pros and cons of each.
- Create a basic marketing, sourcing, and HR strategy for doing business in another country.
- Strengthen capabilities and commitment to become disciple-leaders globally.
Learning Model Architecture
The weekly cycle will include prepared activities taken from a variety of online sources and case study. Students will teach one another via case discussion and application of principles in putting together the two international business projects. Ponder and prove opportunities will come from learning quizzes and weekly reflections.
Prepare:
- Preparation Assignments
Teach One Another:
- Case Discussion Boards
- Team Project Elements
Ponder/Prove:
- Lesson Reflections
- Lesson Quizzes
- Peer Review—other team's projects
Schedule:
Introduction Week—Globalization
Week 1—Cross-Cultural Issues
Week 2—Politics, Law, and Business Ethics
Week 3—International Trade and Foreign Direct Investment
Week 4—Economic Issues and Foreign Exchange
Week 5—Global and Regional Economic Integration
Week 6—Foreign Market Analysis
Week 7—Import/Export Issues
Week 8—Foreign Market Entry Modes
Week 9—International Marketing: Target Markets, Product Decisions
Week 10—International Marketing: Pricing,
Week 11—International Human Resource Management
Week 12—Foreign Market Entry Plan
Final Week—Course Conclusion
In Lessons 1–5, the focus is on seeking to understand an international market, which culminates in Lesson 6 with the final version of your group project, "Foreign Market Analysis." (See information below in the "Two Major Projects" section.)
The focus in Lessons 7–11 is creating a business plan, which culminates in Lesson 12 with the final version of your group project, "Foreign Market Entry Plan."
Course Overview
General Lesson Outline
- Due Date #01
- Initial Post to Case Discussion Board
- Review two team's projects from previous week (Lesson 2–5 and 7–11)
- Due Date #02
- Preparation Assignment (Readings and Videos)
- Due Date #03
- Final Post to Case Discussion Board
- Lesson Quiz
- Due Date # 04
- Lesson Reflection
- Project Element
- Peer Participation Report (PPR)
Course Policies and Expectations
- At BYU-Idaho we foster faith-building and life-changing learning, including learning about faith in the Savior, gifts of the Holy Ghost, the presence of the restored gospel, and institutional efforts to build Zion. This will help students engage in a learning community motivating us to learn and teach by study, and also by faith. Please remember that EVERYONE at BYU-Idaho is both a learner and a teacher. As such, these principles guide our actions:
- Exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a principle of power.
- Understand that the Holy Ghost is the true teacher and invite the Holy Ghost to teach us.
- Act rather than be acted upon.
- Accept responsibility for learning and teaching.
- Integrate scholarly knowledge and sacred truth.
- Love,
serve, and teach one another.
- A good portion of the work for this course will be done in teams. Learning to work as a member of a diverse team is essential to success in the world of business. You have an obligation to other team members to do your part in making the team's efforts a success.
- Written submittals and oral presentations should represent your highest quality work. Oral presentations should be prepared using PowerPoint. Written work should be typed, using a 12 point font. Be sure you check for grammar and spelling errors. Some of the most valuable skills you can acquire that will benefit you in the business world are excellent written and verbal skills.
- The Honor Code applies to this course.
- Class Policy on Academic Integrity is cheating, plagiarism, academic dishonesty, or anything like unto it is contrary to the Honor Code and principles of this university. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary describes plagiarism as "use (another's production) without crediting the source; present as new and original an idea or product derived from an original source." Any student involved in any behavior deemed academically dishonest puts their credit for the course and attendance at BYU-Idaho at serious risk. This behavior will not be tolerated. Students will receive a "0" on assignments with no opportunity to make up for lost points and the instructor reserves the right to drop the student from the course with a grade of "F." Additionally, the student's behavior may be reported to the department Chair, college Dean, and the Dean of Students. "I did not know" or "I did not understand" will not be considered as valid excuses.
- The following statement, with your written initials, should appear at the end of your two team projects: "We certify that the work submitted is our own unique and original work. Any non-original works have been cited, with proper credit given to the creator/author. Our efforts are in full compliance with the university Honor Code."
- If you have a diagnosed disability or believe you have a disability that may require reasonable accommodation on the part of BYU-Idaho, please call 1-800-WE-CARE to make an appointment with Red Taylor, Director, at the center for students with disabilities. "In accordance with the applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to "reasonable accommodation.' It is the student's responsibility to disclose to the SSD office any special needs he/she may have and to provide the appropriate documentation of the disability. The SSD office is located inside the Learning Assistance Center, McKay Library, first floor."
Course Requirements
Course Text and Materials
- $17 Class Fee (paid at registration)
- $30 Web Camera and Microphone
Weekly Time Commitment
The online class policy is that for every credit hour, you should expect to spend three hours of work per week. For this class, you should plan on spending approximately nine hours per week.
Prerequisite
While there is not a prerequisite for the course, due to the amount of writing in this course it is suggested that all 380 students take B 320: Advanced Writing in Professional Contexts prior to taking this course. Business majors are also encouraged to take B 211: Business Fundamentals prior to taking B 380.
Grading Policies
Grades are based on the following point system (1030 points total):
| 93% — 100% = A | 80% — 82% = B- | 67% — 69% = D+ |
| 90% — 92% = A- | 77% — 79% = C+ | 63% — 66% = D |
| 87% — 89% = B+ | 73% — 76% = C | 60% — 62% = D- |
| 83% — 86% = B | 70% — 72% = C- | below 60% = F |
Grading in the course will be based on the following:
| 1. Cases (10) | 200 points |
| 2. Team Project Elements (8) | 160 points |
| 5. Quizzes (11) | 110 points |
| 6. Reflections (12) | 120 points |
| 7. Team Project Presentations (2) | 100 points |
| 8. Team Project Documents (2) | 140 points |
|
9. Weekly Peer Participation Reports (12)
|
24 points |
|
10. Peer Evaluations (2)
|
+/- Project Grades |
| 11. Final Exam (1) | 100 points |
|
12. Misc Assignments (6)
|
20 points |
| Total: | 974 points |
Due Dates/Times
All due dates are based on US Mountain Time Zone (UTC/GMT -7).
Major Cases
Lessons 01–05 and 07–11 each have a fairly robust case study to be carefully analyzed and prepared.
A team discussion board is provided where you will write your answers to several questions given to you in advance. Your initial response will be due by Due Date #01, after which your team’s postings will be made visible to you. You will have until Due Date #03 to read their postings and add substantive comments.
Two Major Projects
During the
The projects are divided into weekly project elements worth 20 points each. One element is completed for every lesson. Successful teams will hold two brief meetings every week to discuss project elements—the first is to organize your efforts toward completion of the project; the second is to share what you have learned and organize the final compilation of the element. Team members should take turns leading and compiling the weekly elements.
You will receive instructor feedback and improve on these elements as needed; turn in a final revised document (70 points) and create a presentation (50 points) of the highlights of each project. The authors of each section must be identified and individual scores may vary from the group grade based on the quality of your individual sections.
See the Project #1 Rubric and Project #2 Rubric for more detailed information about the projects that you are expected to complete this semester.
There are a number of websites that you can use to help you with your projects. These can be found in the Preparation assignments and project element assignments in lessons 2-6 and 8-12.
The presentations are to be posted by Due Date #02 of Lessons 07 and 13, and then you are required to watch three other presentations and dissuades them in your Lesson 07 and 13 reflections.
- Project 1
This project consists of five elements, completed in Lessons 01–05: Cultural, Political/Legal, Trade, FDI, Economic, and Regional Integration/Product Ideas. The last element is submitted in conjunction with a revised and improved version of the first four elements.
Based on the research above, teams should identify three different product or service opportunities. These need to be products or services that would be sold in your team's country.
After receiving instructor feedback, a final improved report covering all five elements will be submitted in Lesson 06 with all sources documented using footnotes or endnotes. In addition, each team will have 12 minutes to make a presentation on their findings; this will require that only key points or highlights be shared.
- Project 2
Teams will select one of the identified product or service opportunities from Project 1 and develop a basic business plan. The five elements completed in Lessons 07–11 are Sourcing, Method of Entry, Competitive/Target Market/ Product, Distribution/Pricing/Promotion, and Human Resource Management. The last element is submitted in conjunction with a revised and improved version of the first four elements.
After receiving instructor feedback, a final improved report covering all five elements will be submitted in Lesson 12 with all sources documented using footnotes or endnotes. In addition, each team will have 12 minutes to make a presentation on their findings; this will require that only key points or highlights be shared.
Quizzes
There will be 12 online quizzes, each worth ten points, covering key concepts from all the preparation assignments in each unit. Occasionally a question refers to the case study for that lesson. There are no retakes and there is a 30
Reflections
You will be asked to ponder and prove what you have learned in each lesson. Typically some specific questions are to be answered and you are also invited to share other thoughts on your learning from the lesson.
Team Peer Evaluations
Two team peer evaluations will be gathered: after Lesson 06 and at the end of the course, where your involvement and contributions to the team projects will be assessed. Your project scores could be adjusted up or down based on this feedback.
Resources
If any technical difficulties arise throughout the course contact the Online Support Center or the Help Desk before contacting the instructor.
Online Support Center
The Online Support Center (OSC) is designed to help any students taking online courses at BYU-Idaho. If you have any questions about any online course or courses, instructors, or your online learning experience please contact the OSC.
OSC Contact Information
Phone: (208) 496-1800
Email: onlinelearning@byui.edu
Live Chat: Click Here
Website: https://www.byui.edu/online/online-support-center
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 AM - 7 PM, MST
Additional Information
University Policies
Academic honesty is required and any violation with the dealt with according to the University Academic Honest Policy.
Policy on Sexual Discrimination/Harassment
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an education program or activity that receives federal funds, including Federal loans and grants. Title IX also covers student-to-student sexual harassment. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or
Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities:
Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere which reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office, 496-1158. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by this office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures. You should contact the Personnel Office at 496-1130.
Personal Conduct
All of your correspondence with the teacher or other classmates must be respectful. Writing something disrespectful or "venting" is unprofessional and not becoming