COURSE SYLLABUS INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MGT 301-01 ONLINE FALL 2014 DATES COURSE TOPICS READING DEADLINES Session 1 Globalization Ch 1 (in textbook) Quiz 1: Due 08/24 11:59 08/18-08/24 Unit 1 (in Blackboard Learning Area ) Session 2 Cross-cultural business Ch 2 Quiz 2: Due 08/31 11:59 08/25-08/31 Unit 2 Session 3 Political and legal Ch 3 Quiz 3: Due 09/07 11:59 09/02-09/07 environment Unit 3, 4 Session 4 Economic systems and Ch 4 Quiz 4: Due 09/14 11:59 09/08-09/14 development Unit 4 Session 5 International trade Ch 5 Quiz 5: Due 09/21 11:59 09/15-09/21 Unit 5 Session 6 Business-government Ch 6 Quiz 6: Due 09/28 11:59 09/22-09/28 trade relations Unit 5 Session 7 Foreign direct CH 7 Quiz 7: Due 10/05 11:59 09/29-10/05 Midterm exam Session 8 10/06-10/10 FALL BREAK Session 9 10/15-10/19 Session 10 10/20-10/26 Session 11 10/27-11/02 Session 12 11/03-11/09 Session 13 11/10-11/16 Session 14 11/17-11/23 investment Note: If you do not take the exam during the assigned time period, your score will be 0. Regional economic integration International financial markets International monetary systems Unit 6 CH 1-7 CH 8 Unit 7 Ch 9 Unit 8 Ch 10 Unit 8 Available online From 10/06 10:00 AM To 10/08 10:00 AM Quiz 8: Due 10/10 06:00 1 Quiz 9: Due 10/19 11:59 Quiz 10: Due 10/26 11:59 International strategy and organization Ch 11 Unit 9, 10 Quiz 11: Due 11/02 11:59 International marketing Ch 12 Quiz 12: Due 11/09 11:59 research Entry modes Ch 13 Quiz 13: Due 11/16 11:59 Unit 11 International marketing Ch 14 Quiz 14: Due 11/23 11:59 Unit 12 THANKSGIVING BREAK Final exam Note: If you do not take the exam during the assigned time period, your score will be 0. CH 8-14 Available online From 12/03 10:00 AM To 12/05 10:00 AM 1 Fall break begins at 6:00. 1
I CONTACT INFORMATION Professor: E-mail: Dr. Sarala rmsarala@uncg.edu Please address the professor Dr. Sarala in all communication. II COURSE MATERIAL International Business (The Challenges of Globalization), 7 th edition, by Wild and Wild, ISBN 10: 0-13-306300-3 All exam and quiz questions are from the 7 th edition. If a student decides to use a different edition (earlier edition or international edition), s/he is taking the risk that an exam/quiz question is not covered. Access codes or other extra materials from the publisher are NOT needed. III COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is an introduction 2 to the environmental factors which cause businesses to become international. In addition, we analyze the nature of global business and multinational organizations. Note: This is an online section 3 of the course. IV COURSE OBJECTIVES Define international business and discuss how it differs from domestic business. Define and discuss key terms and concepts related to international business. Acquire a basic understanding of the structure of the global economy and the perspectives of various actors in the global economy. Make well-reasoned suggestions about how to address many of the challenges and opportunities within an international business setting. 2 Please note that MGT 301 is an introductory level course in International Business. This means that we will cover several different topics and perspectives at an introductory level, with a focus on terminology and main intellectual debates. More advanced courses in International Business, International Marketing, International Entrepreneurship, and International Economics will cover some of the same topics in more detail, with different emphasis, and with a more applied approach. It is recommended, but not required, that you take this course before taking more advanced courses. 3 Please keep in mind that the learning styles of some students are better suited for traditional in-class environment. If you prefer an in-class setting, please consider taking an in-class section of this course instead. However, if you value ability to work according to your own schedule, the flexibility of this online section is likely to be appealing to you. 2
Knowledgeably discuss some of the key public policy, ethical and environmental issues that are typically connected to international business. Discuss the challenges that third world countries have in participating in world trade, and the different perspectives that exist with regard to intellectual property rights and the third world. V EVALUATION ITEMS 1. Weekly quizzes 10% 2. Exams a. Midterm exam 45% b. Final exam 45% To calculate the final grade, the weighted average formula is used: 0.1 x weekly quizzes grade (in %) + 0.45 x midterm exam grade + 0.45 x final exam grade = final course grade The evaluation items are described in the following. 1 Weekly quizzes: 10% 1.1 Purpose The purpose of the weekly quizzes is to encourage you to study the material consistently throughout the course. The quizzes will also help you to check your own learning. Furthermore, the quizzes provide examples of the types of questions that you will encounter in the exams and familiarize you with taking tests on Blackboard. This assures that you will be prepared for the course exams. 1.2 Content Each weekly quiz covers the respective chapter in the textbook. For instance, during session 1, quiz 1 will cover CH1 in the textbook. During session 2, quiz 2 will cover CH 2 in the textbook. Each quiz has 10 questions. Each question carries 1 point. The questions are either true-false questions or multiple choice questions. You can take as long as you need to complete the quiz as long as you submit it prior to the quiz deadline. Backtracking is allowed. Quiz tip: Backtracking allowed means that you do not have to complete the quiz questions in order, and that you may change the answer to a question that has already been submitted (as long as you have not submitted the entire quiz). The Question Completion Status bar above the quiz questions allows you to quickly move from one question to another: In the Question Completion Status bar, simply click the number of the question that you want to complete next in order to move to that question. I recommend that you experiment with the Question Completion Status bar when completing your quizzes so that 3
you will be familiar with this Blackboard feature when taking your exam. Many students have commented that they have found the Question Completion Status bar very helpful when completing quizzes/exams. 1.3 Availability You will find the quizzes on Blackboard under Quizzes. Each weekly quiz is available until Sunday 11:59 4 of the corresponding week. The only exception is Quiz 8 that is due on Friday 10/10 at 06:00. The reason for Quiz 8 deadline is that Fall Break begins on Friday 10/10 at 06:00. You can take each quiz only ONE time. There will be no additional test taking opportunities. If you miss a quiz, your score for that particular quiz will be 0. If you know that you cannot take a quiz during a particular week, study ahead and take it in advance. IMPORTANT: Quizzes are activity exercises similar to class attendance. The purpose is to have you reflect on what you have learned during the week and test your knowledge: this is very beneficial for your learning. The weekly quizzes also assure that you are not falling too much behind in learning the course material. Therefore, no late work is accepted and will be graded 0. As a college student, you are expected to treat your studies as a priority and to organize your schedule accordingly. The only exception is a serious illness for which you are required to provide official documentation within two weeks from the end of the deadline in question. If you fail to provide this documentation, your score will be 0 for any quiz that is not completed prior to the deadline. Any student asking for a deadline extension for any other reason than for a documented serious illness will be referred to this policy in the syllabus. 1.4 Technical problems Technical problems are not acceptable reasons for missing a quiz. If you experience a technical problem, report it to me immediately (rmsarala@uncg.edu) with accompanying evidence (e.g. a screenshot showing that Blackboard is down). Please do not leave taking the quiz to the last minute so that you can solve any technical problems prior to the deadline. Any technical problems reported AFTER the deadline will not be considered. If you lose your internet connection or Blackboard goes down in the middle of the quiz, get back to the quiz when the connection resumes. You will be able to continue the test from where you left off. NOTE: AS A STUDENT TAKING AN ONLINE COURSE, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A RELIABLE COMPUTER AND A RELIABLE INTERNET CONNECTION DURING THE ENTIRE 4 It is recommended that you take the quiz well before the Sunday midnight deadline. The purpose of this deadline is to provide a recurring weekly deadline that is easy to remember. It is not the purpose of the deadline to force you to work on Sunday nights. 4
DURATION OF THE COURSE. INABILITY TO ACCESS A COMPUTER OR INTERNET AT ANY TIME DURING THE COURSE IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE EXCUSE FOR NOT COMPLETING AN EVALUATION ITEM. THE UNCG HAS SEVERAL COMPUTER LABS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES ALSO OFFER INTERNET ACCESS FREE OF CHARGE. ANY TECHNICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AND ARE NOT VALID EXCUSES FOR NOT COMPLETING AN EVALUATION ITEM. 1.5 Quiz Submission For your quiz grade to register, you need to SUBMIT the quiz answers prior to the deadline. That is, you need to select SUBMIT. Any partially completed quizzes that were not submitted will be graded as zero. 1.6 Correct quiz answers If you completed the quiz, correct quiz answers will be available for review on Blackboard on Monday or Tuesday following the quiz deadline. Further instructions on how to review the correct answers will be provided on Blackboard. 2 Midterm Exam: 45%, Final exam: 45% 2.1. Purpose The purpose of the course exams is to objectively evaluate the outcome of your learning. The exams are designed to test your knowledge of the course textbook material. 2.2 Content The midterm exam will cover Chapters 1-7. The final exam will cover Chapters 8-14. All questions will be from the textbook. Contents from the learning units are not asked in exams. The exams are not cumulative. 2.3 Testing procedures Even though you are taking your exams online, they are still "real" tests. The following are the testing procedures I expect you to follow while taking the exam: You will find the exams in Blackboard under Exams only during the assigned test times. It is recommended that you use Mozilla Firefox as your browser when taking the test. An exam is available for 48 hours as indicated in the course schedule on page 1 of the syllabus. You can take each exam only ONE time. 5
You may use your book and notes; however, you are to take the test by yourself, with no group efforts or help from other people. This test has 100 objective questions (true/false and multiple choice). The maximum score is 100. You have 120 minutes to complete the exam. A timer will appear, but the test does not automatically stop at 120 minutes. You have to click Submit to end the test and stop the timer. You will lose 1 point for each full minute that you go over the time limit. The time is strictly limited in order test your knowledge of the material; not your ability to search for information during the exam. Important: Extended time is only granted for students with documented disabilities. In my in-class sections (closed book), students complete multiple choice exam questions at a rate of 100 questions per hour. While it is slightly slower to take the exam on the computer, your inability to complete 100 questions in 2 hours reflects a severe lack of knowledge of the course material. Remember not to click the Back button in your browser window. Backtracking is allowed. This means that you do not have to complete the test questions in order and that you may change the answer to a question that has already been submitted (as long as you have not submitted the entire test). Exam tip: Backtracking allowed means that you do not have to complete the test questions in order and that you may change the answer to a question that has already been submitted (as long as you have not submitted the entire test). The Question Completion Status bar above the exam questions allows you to quickly move from one question to another: In the Question Completion Status bar, simply click the number of the question that you want to complete next in order to move to that question. The Question Completion Status bar also shows you which questions you have already completed. Some students prefer to complete the easy questions first and return to the more difficult questions later. Questions will be presented one by one and in a random order, similar to the quizzes. 2.4 Technical problems If you lose your internet connection or Blackboard goes down, get back to the exam when the connection resumes. Blackboard will let you continue the exam from where you left off. If you experience any problems, contact Dr. Sarala immediately and provide evidence of the problem (for instance, a screenshot of a message indicating that Blackboard is down). If you are taking your test after 5, please be aware that I may not be able to reply to your e-mail and solve any problems that you might have until the next morning. 6
NOTE: AS A STUDENT TAKING AN ONLINE COURSE, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE AVAILABLE DURING THE EXAM TIMES REGARDLESS OF YOUR OTHER COMMITMENTS AND TO HAVE ACCESS TO A RELIABLE COMPUTER AND INTERNET CONNECTION DURING THE ENTIRE COURSE, INCLUDING THE EXAM TIMES. INABILITY TO ACCESS INTERNET DURING THE COURSE IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE EXCUSE FOR MISSING AN EXAM OR ANY OTHER EVALUATION ITEM. THE UNCG COMPUTER LABS AND PUBLIC LIBARARIES PROVIDE COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCEESS FREE OF CHARGE. ANY TECHNICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXAM PERIOD WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AND ARE NOT VALID EXCUSES FOR NOT COMPLETING AN EXAM. 2.5 Rules for not taking an exam during the assigned testing times IMPORTANT To accommodate for multiple commitments of students, the exams are available for an extended period of time (48 hours). The exam dates and times are given in the beginning of the course to allow plenty of time for planning. Therefore, it is your responsibility to be available during the scheduled exam times and to take the exams promptly. Do not leave taking the exam to the last minute to avoid any last minute technical problems. An exam cannot be taken before or after the scheduled exam time. There are no make-up exams. If for any reason, you do not take the test, your score will be 0. The only exception is a serious illness for which you are required to provide official documentation within two weeks from the exam deadline. If you fail to provide this documentation, your score will be 0. These rules will be strictly enforced in order to be fair towards those students who do make the effort to take the tests at the assigned testing times regardless of their personal and professional circumstances and time constraints. It is important that all students have the same amount of time to prepare for the exams. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Any student seeking an exception will be referred to this policy in the syllabus. Note: It is not unusual that a few students fail this online course because they, for instance, forget to take the exam, are travelling without an internet connection, or are otherwise too busy. Make sure that you are not one of these students because missing one exam is likely to result in failing the course. VI SCORING SYSTEM FOR THE FINAL GRADE A+ = 98-100 A = 94-97.999 A- = 90-93.999 B+ = 88-89.999 B = 84-87.999 B- = 80-83.999 C+ = 78-79.999 C = 74-77.999 C- = 70-73.999 7
D+ = 68-69.999 D = 64-67.999 D- = 60-63.999 F = 59.999 and below Your final grade will be calculated as the weighted average of the course components using the weights given in section V EVALUATION ITEMS. Please note that grades are NOT rounded up. The above system is used in all circumstances. Also, to be fair towards ALL students, grades are strictly based on your objective performance in the course elements. Grades are NOT adjusted upwards on a need basis, for instance, because a student needs at least a C to graduate. I use the same standards to evaluate every student. Therefore, there will be no exceptions to the scoring system. Any student seeking an exception will be referred to this policy in the syllabus. VII AVAILABILITY OF THE PROFESSOR Please address the professor as Dr. Sarala in all communication. If you have a question about the course, please email the professor (rmsarala@uncg.edu). In the subject of the e-mail write MGT 301-01 AND the topic of your e-mail. For instance, if you have a question about the syllabus, use the following subject: MGT 301-01 syllabus. This will result in a faster response to your e-mail. During weekdays, I will make every attempt to answer to your email within 48 hours. However, I do not check my email after 5, during weekends or school holidays. I will post weekly announcements on Blackboard (usually on Monday) and as needed. Therefore, it is vital that you check Blackboard regularly. VIII OTHER INFORMATION Academic Integrity Policy The students are expected to complete all requirements of this course in conformity with UNCG s Academic Integrity Policy. Any detected violations of any aspect of the Policy will be fully pursued in accordance with the provisions therein. Students with Disabilities If you have a documented disability for which you need special arrangements, please contact the UNCG Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (http://ods.uncg.edu). Any requests for a documented disability for which you need special arrangements must come from this office. Extra Credit 8
No extra credit assignments will be provided based on individual requests. This policy is in place to be fair towards all students. DR. SARALA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THIS DOCUMENT AS NEEDED. ALL CHANGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON BLACKBOARD. 9