Welcome to BUS 380: Introduction to International Business

Note: This course code has changed from B 380 to BUS 380. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.

Course Structure

Course Description

BUS 380 is 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 Outcomes

By the end of this course successful students should be able to:

  1. Analyze the cultural, political, legal, and economic environment of a nation. Also, its effect on business strategy, management, and operations in the country.
  2. Explain the common incentives and restrictions placed by governments to encourage or discourage trade and foreign investment.
  3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of foreign exchange and regional economic integration.
  4. List the various options available for entry into foreign markets, and the pros and cons of each.
  5. Create a basic marketing, sourcing, and HR strategy for doing business in another country.
  6. Strengthen capabilities and commitment to become disciple-leaders globally.

Learning Model Architecture and General Week Outline

The weekly cycle will include Prepare activities taken from a variety of online sources and case studies. Students will teach one another via case discussions and application of principles in putting together the two international business projects. Ponder and Prove opportunities will come from learning quizzes and weekly reflections.

Due Date #1 Due Date #2 Due Date #3
Prepare

Preparation (readings and videos)

Teach One Another

Case Discussion Initial Post

Case Discussion Response Posts

Team Project Elements
Ponder/Prove Lesson Quiz

Peer Participation Report

Reflection

Explore the Calendar in I-Learn for details regarding due dates and times.

Assignment Descriptions

Case Discussions

Weeks 02–06 and 08–12 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. You must post your initial comments before your team’s postings will be made visible to you. Read their postings and add substantive comments before the end of the week.

Two Major Projects

During Week 01, you will join a group based on a country of interest to you and remain with that group/country for the duration of the semester. You will choose from a list of seven nations and complete two major projects. Both projects will consist of a written report and an online presentation.

The projects are divided into four project elements worth 40 points each. One element is completed every two weeks. Successful teams will hold meetings every week to discuss project elements. These meetings should include: organizing your efforts toward completion of the project, sharing what you have learned, and organizing 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 rubrics in the course for more detailed information.

There are a number of websites and resources to help you with your projects. They are found in the Preparation assignments and Project Element assignments in weeks 02–06 and 08–12. Also check the items in the Student Resources module of the course.

The project presentations are to be posted midweek of weeks 07 and 13. Then you are required to watch three other presentations and evaluate them in your week 07 and 13 reflections.

Project 1: This project consists of the two elements, A & B, completed in Weeks 02-06: cultural, political/legal, trade, FDI, economic, and regional integration/product ideas. Based on your research, your team will identify three different products that could be sold in your team's country.

After receiving instructor feedback on earlier project elements, a final improved report covering all elements will be submitted in Week 07. The report will have all sources documented with consistent use of MLA or APA formatting, in-text citations, and a works cited (MLA) or a reference (APA) page. In addition, each team will have 12–15 minutes to give a presentation on its findings; this will require that only key points or highlights from earlier project elements be shared.

Project 2: Teams will select one of the identified products from Project 1 and develop a basic business plan. The elements A & B, completed in Weeks 08–12, involve target markets/product decisions, distribution/pricing/promotion, entry strategies, sourcing decisions, and human resource management.

After receiving instructor feedback on earlier project elements, an improved final report covering the two elements will be submitted in Week 13. The report will have all sources documented with consistent use of MLA or APA formatting, in-text citations, and either a works cited (MLA) or a references (APA) page. In addition, each team will have 12–15 minutes to give a presentation on its findings; this will require that only key points or highlights from the project elements be shared.

Quizzes

Each quiz asks you to answer questions about key concepts from the Prepare materials in that week. Occasionally a question refers to the case study for that week.

There are no retakes and there is a 30 minute time limit for each quiz. You may use your notes and materials obtained from the preparation as you take each quiz. You may not ask anyone else, use the Internet, or access any outside source as you take a quiz. 

Reflections

You will be asked to ponder and prove what you have learned in each week's reflection. Typically some specific questions are to be answered, and you are also invited to share other thoughts on your learning from the week.

Peer Evaluation

You will complete a Peer Evaluation at the end of each week to assess each group member's involvement and contribution to the team project. Your individual project scores could be adjusted up or down based on this feedback.

Schedule

Week 01: Globalization

Week 02: Cross-Cultural Issues

Week 03: Politics, Law, and Business Ethics

Week 04: International Trade and Foreign Direct Investment

Week 05: Economic Issues and Foreign Exchange

Week 06: Initial Screening of New Product Ideas

Week 07: Foreign Market Analysis

Week 08: International Marketing-Target Markets, Product Decisions

Week 09: International Marketing- Pricing, Promotion, and Place (Distribution) Decisions

Week 10: Entry Strategies

Week 11: Sourcing Decisions

Week 12: International Human Resource Management

Week 13: Foreign Market Entry Plan

Week 14: Course Conclusion

In Weeks 01–06, the focus is on seeking to understand an international market, which culminates in Week 07 with the final version of your Foreign Market Analysis group project. (See information below in the Two Major Projects section.)

The focus in Weeks 8–12 is creating a business plan, which culminates in Week 13 with the final version of your Foreign Market Entry Plan group project.

Course Requirements

Course Text and Materials

Weekly Time Commitment

The online class policy is that for every credit hour, you should expect to spend three to four hours of work per week. For this class, you should plan on spending at least 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 BUS 380 students take BUS 301: Advanced Writing in Professional Contexts prior to taking this course. Business majors are also encouraged to take BA 211: Business Fundamentals prior to taking BUS 380.

Course Policies and Expectations

Faith-building Learning 

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:

  1. Exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a principle of power.
  2. Understand that the Holy Ghost is the true teacher and invite the Holy Ghost to teach us.
  3. Act rather than be acted upon.
  4. Accept responsibility for learning and teaching.
  5. Integrate scholarly knowledge and sacred truth.
  6. Love, serve, and teach one another.

Working in Teams

Learning to work as a member of a diverse team is essential to success in the business world. Therefore, a good portion of the work for this course will be done in groups. By putting forth consistent effort and fully participating in your group, you will have a rewarding experience in the course.

You have an obligation to other team members to do your part in making the team's efforts a success. If you fail to contribute to your group, your instructor may give you a zero score or greatly reduce your score on the group assignments, or require you to complete the work entirely on your own instead of with the help of a group.

Quality of Work

Written submissions and oral presentations should represent your highest quality work. Oral presentations should be prepared using Microsoft PowerPoint. Written work should be typed in Microsoft Word, using a 12 point font. Be sure to 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.

Academic Integrity

The Honor Code applies to this course. The class policy on academic integrity is that 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 students 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 an "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 valid excuses.

Disability Services

If you have a diagnosed disability or believe you have a disability that may require reasonable accommodation on the part of your instructor, please call 208-496-9210 to make an appointment to speak with an employee from Disability Services.

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 Disability Services any special needs he/she may have and to provide the appropriate documentation of the disability. It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor of any reasonable accommodation needs after speaking with Disability Services.

Grading Policies

Grades are based on the following point system (1030 points total):

A 93%–100%
A- 90%–92%
B+ 87%–89%
B 83%–86%
B- 80%–82%
C+ 77%–79%
C 73%–76%
C- 70%–72%
D+ 67%–69%
D 63%–66%
D- 60%–62%
F below 60%

Grading in the course will be based on the following:

1. Cases (10 at 20 points each) 200 points
2. Group project elements (4 at 40 points each) 160 points
5. Quizzes (17; 10 at 10 points; 6 at 1 point; 1 at 5 points ) 111 points
6. Reflections (12; 9 at 10 points; 3 at 20 points) 150 points
7. Group project presentations (2 at 50 points each) 100 points
8. Group project papers (2 at 70 points each) 140 points
9. Weekly peer participation reports (6 at 2 points each) 12 points and +/- Project Grades
10. Final Exam (1 at 100 points) 100 points
11. Icebreaker Discussion(1) 10 points
Total: 983 points

Due Dates/Times

All due dates are based on the Mountain Time Zone (UTC/GMT -7). Use the calendar in I-Learn to find the details of due dates and times in your time zone after updating your I-Learn profile.

Resources

If any technical difficulties arise throughout the course, contact the BYU-Idaho Support Center before contacting the instructor. Contact the BYUI-Idaho Support Center by using the Help menu in the course. 

Additional Information

University Policies

Academic honesty is required and any violation will be 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 gender based discrimination, please contact the Title IX Officer at 208-496-9209.

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 Disability Services at, 208-496-9210. 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 Human Resources office at 208-496-1700.

Personal Conduct

All of your correspondence with the teacher or classmates must be respectful. Writing something disrespectful or venting is unprofessional and not becoming of a university student. In addition, it is not in accordance with the Honor Code of BYU-Idaho and you will be subject to discipline accordingly. You are invited to re-read the BYU-I Honor Code and the "Principles of Personal Honor."