COURSE Requirements

Project (15%):  Each student will develop a Foreign Market Opportunity Assessment.  You will choose a company, product or service and a country.  The company could be imaginary or real.  The purpose of this project is to reinforce all the information covered in Chapters 1-11 which represents a macro perspective but your project will be on a micro or firm level perspective.  We will discuss the chapter and the outline.  I will also suggest some helpful web sites to use. The outline for this project is listed and detailed in Chapter 12 of your textbook

Presentation (5 %)    Each student will summarize their findings in a short 10-15 minute presentation during the final week of class. The presentations will be graded on:

• Content–extent to which the presentation is related to an important point of course content
• Clarity-    organization of your arguments and presentations, analysis of your key points, and persuasiveness of your position
• Grammar -use of correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure
• Accuracy –of the country, date, and business model presented
• Articulation – organization and articulation of your oral presentation

Homework (10 %) - There will be homework assignments, current events articles during the semester.

Tests (60%)  Three exams will be administered. The exams will cover the material included in the textbook chapters, handouts and lectures.  Missed Tests: Make up tests will not be given except in extreme cases with supportive documentation.  You must notify the professor prior to the day of the test or the next class.

Participation(10%).  All students are expected to participate actively in class discussion.  This includes evidence of thorough prior preparation of course materials, engaging in exercises, etc.  Attendance at all sessions is required except in previously arranged cases/emergencies. 

Cavusgil, S., Knight, G., Riesenberger, J. (2008).International Business: Strategy, Management, and the New Realities. Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-173860-7. [Available at the ACC bookstore.]

Additional Suggested Resources:

Textbook web site        http://www.prenhall.com/cavusgil/

Global Edge                 http://globaledge.msu.edu/

The Economist            http://www.economist.com/

The Financial Times   http://www.ft.com/home/us

Chapters 1 through 19 in the textbook.- Cavusgil, S., Knight, G., Riesenberger, J. (2008).International Business: Strategy, Management, and the New Realities. Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-173860-7.

Course Description & Rationale

This introductory course focuses on the core concepts and techniques for entering the international marketplace. Emphasis is on the effect of sociocultural, demographic, economic, technological, and political-legal factors in the foreign trade environment. As an introductory survey course, we will cover a variety of topics to illustrate the unique nature of international business including the patterns of world trade, currency exchange and international finance, globalization of the firm, international marketing, and operating procedures of the multinational enterprise.