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Syllabus
I B 303 - International Business Operations
I B 303 (IL) International Business Operations (3) A survey of the major aspects of international business environment and operations with an emphasis on the cultural dimension.
Overview | Course Objectives | Structure | Materials | Library | Technical Requirements | Course Schedule | Course Requirements | Grading | Academic Integrity | Policies
Overview
International business is important and necessary because economic isolationism has become impossible. Failure to become a part of the global market assures a nation of declining economic influence and deteriorating standards of living for its citizens. International business therefore presents more opportunities for expansion, growth, and income than does domestic business alone. This course will cover the major aspects of international business environment and operations with emphasis on its impact on the local businesses in your state. In other words, in this course you will learn why international business differs from domestic business, economic theories on international trade, and how managers deal with the uncontrollable forces such as cultural differences of international environment. In this course you will develop a global perspective through studying the impact of other countries and their peoples on society and develop skills that will enable you to interact effectively in an interdependent global community.
Course Objectives
After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Define globalization and recognize the importance of globalization in regards to international business.
- Identify basic concepts related to conducting international business.
- Describe global differences in cultural, political, ethical, and legal systems compared to domestic systems.
- Articulate the functions of various governmental organizations and institutional bodies which impact international business.
- Evaluate international business opportunities using market research in key areas such as market entry, market selection, and market strategies in different regions of the world.
- Differentiate types of international trade theory and their applicability.
- Identify and explain the basic mechanism of foreign exchange market and international monetary system and recognize the evolution of the system.
- Analyze a company’s international operations, including manufacturing, supply-chain management (SCM), marketing, finance, and human resources.
- Recognize and interpret ongoing global trends and issues that affect international business.
- Reflect and explore general global issues in order to gain a deeper understanding of worldly topics.
Structure
IB 303 students will be assessed with both individual and team assignments. The course consists of a series of lessons, with topics and content that successively builds upon one another. Individual assessments consist of IB Exploration - weekly activities related to the lesson’s content; weekly matching activities; discussion board posts based on case studies you will read and international business topics your classmates will post; a midterm; and a final exam. Students will also be assigned a specific country and throughout the course, will work as a team to address international business topics that are directly affecting their assigned country. In addition, students will work as a team to analyze a current international business issue (i.e., protection of intellectual property) and as a team, present their analysis to the class.
The IB 303 course is broken into six units (modules):
- Unit I: Lesson 1
- Unit II Lesson 2, Lesson 3, and Lesson 4
- Unit III: Lesson 5, Lesson 6, Lesson 7, and Lesson 8
- Unit IV: Lesson 9 and Lesson 10
- Unit V: Lesson 11, Lesson 12
- Unit VI: Lesson 13, Lesson 14, and Lesson 15
Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library Resources
Optional Course Library Resources
Talk to a Business Librarian if you have a specific business research question that you are unable to find via the library resources mentioned previously. Contact Diane Zabel, Benzak Business Librarian and Head of the Schreyer Business Library, during regular business hours at 814-865-1013 or via email at dxz2@psu.edu.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments.
Note that all dates reflect North American eastern time (ET). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live. All lesson assignments must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the last day of the timeframe indicated below for the lesson unless otherwise stated. Discussion forum first posts are due Thursday of the lesson week assigned.
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Course Requirements
There are 1400 possible total points to be earned in this course.
IB Exploration Activities
Each week, students will complete at least one IB Exploration activity, which directly correlates to that lesson’s content and specific objectives. These activities will ensure that students can apply course concepts to real-world applications and gain an understanding of country differences, the global monetary system, global institutions, and business strategies of international companies. IB Exploration activities may include store visitation, international business data analysis and prediction, exploring company or institution websites, and sharing media (pictures, videos, or news) with your classmates.
If the activity involves a Discussion, you must post your initial comment no later than 11:59 PM (ET) on Thursday of that week, and you must reply to at least two colleagues by no later than 11:59 PM (ET) Sunday of that week, in a manner that extends the discussion.
Unless noted on the Lesson’s Activities page, all IB Exploration activities are due no later than Sunday, 11:59 p.m. (ET) of the week assigned.
IB Exploration assignments are worth 10% of your course grade. There is no rubric for these assignments. As long as the IB Exploration assignments are completed as instructed, students will earn full credit for each specific assignment.
Matching Activities
To ensure that students are completing the assigned readings, case studies, and videos for each lesson, students will be required to complete a graded matching activity each week that directly correlates to these assignments.
Each lesson's matching activity presents users with a definition and a pull-down list of terms from which they must choose a match. Working through the question prompts, one must comprehend the course content and basic concepts of International Business. You will use reasoning as well as differentiation. A student must also be able to recognize and understand the concepts and the terminology being presented in the course content. Other important skills required for completing these activities include making inferences, conceptualizing the concepts, and drawing conclusions from the lesson content. Again, the matching activity questions are drawn from the course lessons, as well as the assigned readings, case studies, and videos.
Matching Activities are due no later than Sunday, 11:59 p.m. (ET) of the week assigned.
Matching Activities are worth a maximum of 10% towards your final grade. There is no rubric associated with this assignment.
Case Studies
Throughout the semester, students will be assigned four case studies to read that correlate to the current lesson. After reading the case studies, students will work independently to answer a series of questions. Students are expected to reflect upon what has been learned in the textbook as well as the lesson material. Students will then synthesize this knowledge in order to develop a well thought out response to each question.
Case Studies are due no later than Sunday, 11:59 p.m. (ET) of the week assigned.
In total, these case study assignments are worth a maximum of 10% towards your final grade.
Country Team Analysis Papers
Students will be randomly assigned to a team. Each team will choose a country to analyze throughout the course (the instructor will provide a list of approved countries that each team can select from). In the case that two teams select the same country, the final determination of country will be made by the instructor.
Throughout the semester, the instructor will assign three analysis papers that reflect a current international business topic. Working within their team, students will answer questions by analyzing their specific country in detail through the lens of the material studied in the course. Students are encouraged to use the Groups feature of Canvas or Google Docs to work collaboratively. However, the final product will be an analysis paper following APA format written in MS Word.
Following the submission of each Country Team Analysis paper, students will complete a peer evaluation evaluating the contribution that each team member made to the assignment.
Country Team Analysis Papers are due no later than Sunday, 11:59 p.m. (ET) of the week assigned.
Country Team Analyses are worth 15% towards your final grade.
International Business Topics Presentation
Working with the same team members from the Country Team Analysis project, students will identify a current international business topic and build a presentation around this topic using either Prezi or PowerPoint.
Part One: Identify a Topic
Each team will submit an international business topic to their instructor no later than the last day of Lesson 02. The topic of choice must be current (within the past five years) and should concentrate on one specific international business issue. Click the following button to view a list of general topic ideas (Please note: teams may chose topics not on this list, but will need permission from the instructor before proceeding):
Part Two: Develop the Presentation
After the presentation topic has been approved by the instructor, each team will collect supporting material; synthesize the content; and construct a presentation. The presentation must explain the topical theme you chose, along with how your team's primary article connects to both the topic and also to international business operations in general.
You may use either PowerPoint or Prezi to create your presentation.
International Business Topic Presentation is worth 15% towards your final grade.
International Business Topics Discussions
On an individual basis, students will access the International Business Topic Discussion Forum and review each group’s presentation. Within the discussion forum, students will post a reflective response to each group’s presentation. Students must post their reflection to each team’s presentation by Sunday, 11:59 p.m. (ET) of the week assigned.
International Business Topic Discussions are worth 10% towards your final grade.
Midterm
Your Midterm Exam contains 50 multiple choice questions. The question content for these exams is drawn from the first half of the course. Questions will be delivered one-at-a-time, and you will have 60 minutes to finish the exam once you have started it.
Midterm is due no later than Sunday, 11:59 p.m. (ET) of the week assigned and is worth a total of 15% of your final grade.
Final Exam
The Final Exam also contains 50 questions and is given at the end of the semester. The material is drawn from the second half of the course. This exam consists of a series of multiple choice questions, and you will have 90 minutes from the time you start to finish the exam.
The Final Exam is worth a total of 15% of your final grade.
Grading
For students enrolled in the BSBIC program, a grade of C or better is required to pass this course.
| Numerical value | Letter grade |
|---|---|
| 93 and above | A |
| 90–92.99 | A- |
| 87–89.99 | B+ |
| 83–86.99 | B |
| 80–82.99 | B- |
| 77–79.99 | C+ |
| 70–76.99 | C |
| 60–69.99 | D |
| below 60 | F |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
Please see rubrics for individual assignments for specifics on assignment preparation and expectations.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Additional Academic Integrity Violations
Please note: Various tutoring websites claim to offer you the opportunity to download answers to everything from accounting problems to quiz questions for little to no cost. Full papers can also be downloaded to submit in place of your own work. Use of these materials, or “ghosting,” is considered cheating and an academic integrity violation. Similarly, uploading exams, course materials, or your work to one of these sites is considered an academic integrity violation.
Using online services that complete assignments for you is considered an academic integrity violation.
Giving your Penn State Access ID and password to someone else to do your work is against University policy AD95/AD96 and an academic integrity violation; sanctions will be given for these violations.
Student Responsibilities and Conduct
- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
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Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require documentation of events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
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For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Values.
Policies
Late Policy
Late Assignments will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to contact the instructor prior to the due date of an assignment if you are aware of extenuating circumstances that will impact your ability to meet a deadline. The instructor will determine if alternative arrangements may be made.
Blank or Erroneous Assignment Submissions
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have uploaded the correct document to each assignment prior to the assignment due date. Please check your assignment submission immediately after uploading a file in Canvas to ensure that it contains content and is the correct file. If you notice an error, such as a blank or incorrect file, you must resubmit the assignment before the assignment due date. Similarly, you are responsible for ensuring that discussion forum initial posts are not blank and that any website URL submissions (such as links to documents, video recordings, etc.) have the correct sharing settings enabled so that they can be viewed by recipients. Any blank or erroneous submissions that you have not resubmitted by the assignment due date will receive a zero for the assignment.
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities, including World Campus. The Disabilities and Accommodations section of the Chaiken Center for Student Success website provides World Campus students with information regarding how to request accommodations, documentation guidelines and eligibility, and appeals and complaints. For additional information, please visit the University's Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Veterans and Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Privacy Notice
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.One Year Course Access
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.