Before Module 1 (June 5th to 8th)
Activities:
You will complete this assignment by visiting the Before Our Course Begins section of ShannonWeb.
- Review Syllabus, calendar and Course Policies in ShannonWeb
- Complete the “Introduce Yourself” post in Slack (see Before Our Class Begins)
- Complete the “Learning Contract” post in Slack (see Before Our Class Begins)
- Respond to the invitation and set up your Slack profile (see Before Our Class Begins)
- Set up your Google+ profile (see Before Our Class Begins)
- Request access to course materials (see Required Course Materials)
- Begin your review of the course materials available in the course wiki
- If you are unfamiliar with any of the platforms we will use for this course, visit Slack, Blackboard and Google+ to review their tutorials.
Module 1 (June 9th to 24th)
Unit 1: Global Perspectives, Unit 2: Culture, Politics and Risk & Unit 5: Issues in Comparative Business
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding the major factors contributing to globalization and to explain the “plusses” and “minus” of the process;
- Describe the various business models/form under which international business is conducted and foreign markets are penetrated;
- Describe the various measures of economic performance (including debt) well as the major categories employed by the World Bank (and others) in classifying economies;
- Describe the elements of economic transition;
- Describe the major indicia of sovereignty and how globalization impacts on this important concept;
- Identify the major components of culture as they affect international business;
- Understand the risks inherent in international business relating to currency issues, property seizures, corruption, bribe paying, and the necessity of compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Reading Materials:
- Course Wiki
- Unit 1: Global Perspectives
- Unit 2: Culture, Politics and Risk
- Unit 5: Issues in Comparative Business
- Read also
- “A Focus on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA): Siemens and Halliburton Revisited As Indicators of Corporate Culture”, by Hunter, Jr., Richard J.; Mest, David and Shannon, John H., Atlantic Law Journal, 2011, Volume 13, pp. 60-69
- “Culture as a Driver and Key Component of International Business“, by Hunter, Jr., Richard J. and Hector R. Lozada, Journal of Society and Communication, Volume 2012, pp. 329-358
- “The New Backlash Against Globalization“, by Harold James, Project Syndicate, June 7, 2016
- Additional Video Resources (optional)
Assignment:
- Complete POV #1
- POV available on Sunday, June 12th no later than 10a
- Submit initial response in Slack channel no later than Thursday, June 16th at 11p
- Comment period in Slack channel is available through Friday, June 24th at 11p
Module 2 (June 25th to July 10th)
Unit 3: Legal Considerations in International Business & Unit 4: International Intellectual Property Issues
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the four major international legal systems with emphasis on identifying the major “legal player” in each system;
- Distinguish between private and public international law and the major sources of international law under article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice;
- Identify and discuss at least two aspects of customary international law relating to Sustainable Development (CERES) and US efforts at breaking the apartheid system in South Africa;
- Understand the operations of the institutions created under the Breton Woods regime: The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as the basic organization and structure of the United Nations;
- Identify the major types of intellectual property: patents, copyrights, and trademarks and the major sources of international treaty protections;
- Identify particular aspects of American intellectual property protections under the Lanham Act and the “fair use” doctrine;
- Identify the major forms of violations of intellectual property rights and the countries responsible for these violations
NB: Unit 3 learning objectives are designed to underscore several important ethical implications related to international business.
Reading Materials:
- Course Wiki
- Unit 3: Legal Considerations in International Business
- Unit 4: International Intellectual Property Issues
- Additional Video Resources (optional)
Assignment:
- Complete POV #2
- POV available on Tuesday, June 28th no later than 10a
- Submit initial response in Slack channel no later than Saturday, July 2nd at 11p
- Comment period is available in Slack channel through Sunday, July 10th at 11p
Module 3 (July 11th to 26th)
Unit 6: Introduction to International Trade & Unit 7: Foreign Direct Investment
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the major tariff and non tariff barriers to international trade;
- Identify the major aspects of the GATT system and understand the nature of “most favored nations” principle;
- Identify the four major issues relating to international trade: classification, valuation, country of origin, and compliance with safety/sanitary requirements;
- Understand the twin issues of “dumping” and “subsidization” from the point of view of the United States;
- Describe the factors that led to the creation of the World Trade Organization and its concept of “normal trade relations”;
- Distinguish between portfolio investment and direct investment;
- Distinguish between strategies involved with “Greenfield” and “Brownfield” activities;
- Identify the major economic, financial and legal factors leading to successful or unsuccessful FDI operations;
- Identify why countries engage in FDI activities;
- Identify pitfalls and opportunities in FDI operations;
- Identify major “negative aspects” associated with FDI activities.
Reading Materials:
- Course Wiki
- Unit 6: Introduction to International Trade
- Unit 7: Foreign Direct Investment
- Read also
- “A Primer on Issues in International Trade“, by Hunter, Jr., Richard J. and Lozada, Hector R., International Journal of Finance and Economics, Issue 47, pp. 99-110 (September 2010)
- “Presidential Trade Promotion Authority“, by Hunter, Jr., Richard J.; Shannon, John H. and Lozada, Hector R., Mustang Journal of Law and Legal Studies, 2013, Vol. 4, pp. 75-86
- Additional Video Resources (optional)
Assignment:
- Complete POV #3
- POV available on Thursday, July 14th no later than 10a
- Submit initial response in Slack channel no later than Monday, July 18th at 11p
- Comment period is available in Slack channel through Tuesday, July 26th at 11p