CHATTANOOGA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BUSINESS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION

CHATTANOOGA, TN

COURSE SYLLABUS
MG202 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Insturctor: Laurence Chaij, M.B.A. Class/Credit Hours: 3
Telephone: (423)236-5424 Semester: Spring 2011
E-mail: Via eLearn Class Time: T/R 1:00 to 2:15p.m.
Location: Omni B118

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course description in the catalog states: ―A survey of the world environment of business including aspects of
economics, cultures, trade theories, governments, exchange and finances, multinational firms’ strategies. The impact
on business operations of each of these is considered.‖
2. COURSE OBJECTIVES
In general, the objectives are set within the KSAF (knowledge, skill, attitude, faith) learning framework. More
specifically that means that at the end of this course the student will be able to:
 Appreciate the rapid expansion of global trade, and understand the forces that drive firms toward globalization.
 Understand the economic theories that underlie international business trade and monetary systems.
 Understand the influence that values, morals and faith have in international business.
 Explain the impact of various environmental (history, geography, politics, culture, technology and governance) &
economic forces that influence international business operations.
 Analyze events in the context of globalization.
 Able to adapt each of the functions of business (marketing, finance, personnel, operations, strategy, organizational
design, information systems) to the demands of global markets.
 Have a global awareness and a global point of view, and to have started a
process of thinking about how they will play a part in this process through The best minds are not in
their career.
 Display a professional attitude to their work by being timely for government. If any were,
appointments, prepared for contribution to discussion, maintaining personal
integrity, being a team player, and giving their best personal effort.
business would steal them
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
away. Ronald Reagan
Required Textbooks
th
Ball, Geringer, Minor, & McNett. 2010. International Business: The Challenge of Global Competition. 12 Edition.
McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-338140-3.
Highly Recommended
Subscription to The Economist for 12 weeks. A semester subscription to the Economist. You may go on-line to
www.economistacademic.com and sign-up.
Additional Reading
• Thomas L. Friedman, 2000. The Lexus and the Olive tree, Anchor Books.
• Rivoli, Pietra. 2005. The travels of a T-shirt in the global economy, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
• The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century by Thomas L. Friedman, New York:
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.
• Bound Together: How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers, and Warriors Shaped Globalization, Nayan
Chandra, New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007.
• Tectonic Shift: The Geoeconomic Realignment of Globalizing Markets by Jagdish N Sheth and
Rajendra Sisodia, New Delhi: Response Books.
• The Next Global Stage: Challenges and Opportunities in Our Borderless World by Kenichi Ohmae,
Pearson Education, Inc./ Wharton School Publishing, 2005.
• One Billion Customers: Lessons from the Frontlines of Doing Business in China by James McGregor,
A Wall Street Journal Book published by Free Press, 2005.
• Chindia Rising: How China and India will Benefit Your Business by Jagdish N Sheth, New Delhi: Tata
McGraw-Hill, 2008.

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Websites
eLearn – Class web site
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/hi/story/index.html - Commanding Heights video series
http://www.globaledge.msu.edu – globalEDGE site is a knowledge web-portal for information, insights, and learning
resources on global business activities. It offers:
 Global Resources – more than 5,000 online resources
 Country Insights – a wealth of information on all countries
 Community – an interactive forum for business professions
 Knowledge Room – latest issues in international business
 Academy – extensive research and teaching resources
 Diagnostic Tools – decision-support tools for managers
4. COURSE PROCEDURE
The aim in the classroom is to provide the student with the best educational experience the instructor knows how. A
variety of methods are used to this end – lectures, discussions, debates, prescribed readings, group work, experiential
exercises, written papers, cases, exercises, quizzes, tests & examinations – to name a few.
Class based lectures, discussions, & activities are designed to provide contextual framework to the material on the
subject. Discussions on issues aim to develop a deeper understanding of the course material. The student is therefore
expected to have read the text material and related readings prescribed on the subject matter before the class. The
focus should be on how to use the ideas, concepts, and theories in the practice of the international business.
(Reminder: for every class period, you are expected to spend three hours in preparation!)
Because your participation in class discussion is important for the learning experience of others, attendance at all
classes is required and expected. Absences without an explanation before the next class period or habitual tardiness
will result in the lowering of your participation grade. A student with more than 5 unexcused absences for this course
will be assigned an F grade. Should the student arrive after roll call (i.e. student was recorded absent), then it is the
student’s responsibility to personally speak to the instructor at the end of the period in order to change the recorded
absent to a tardy. Three late arrivals will be considered as one absence. It is also the student’s responsibility to check
with the instructor and/or classmates to obtain information that was missed.
5. ASSESSMENTS
The student’s understanding of the subject material and ability to use it in a practical way is assessed. To do
assessment the professor is looking for evidence of learning, skill development, and competency in each student. A
variety of evaluation methods are employed in order to assess the knowledge, skills, and competency required in
international business. To clarify terminology used in this class, a few brief definitions: Quiz refers to questions covering
a chapter or part of a chapter. Test refers to questions covering a module or section in the text book. Examination is a
comprehensive test i.e. questions cover all the course work done in class over the semester.
5.1 Chapter & Map Quizzes
Chapter quizzes will be administered before the start of each chapter as an encouragement to read and prepare for
class discussion. The questions will be in the form of True/False and/or Multiple-Choice questions.
For the first few weeks of the semester, there will also be map quizzes on various
world regions. Students will be required to complete blank maps. He who does not read
5.2 Tests
Two term tests will be written during the semester as outlined in the schedule.
is no better than he that
The tests are likely to consist of both multiple choice questions and true/false cannot read. Anon
questions.
5.3 Assignments
A variety of out of class assignments will be required during the semester as outlined on the schedule.
5.4 International Issues Debate
Specific IB related issues or topics are prescribed. Two sets of student pairs (two pairs of two students = total of four
students) will prepare a response paper to the issue based on the position the professor assigns them. Usually this will
take the form of one pair for (in support of), and another pair against (not in support of) the issue.
 Pairs will be assigned randomly and it is unlikely that two individuals will work together more than once during
the semester.
 Each pair is to argue their position (regardless of the personal views), writing up their position in a response
paper of approximately two pages.

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  This paper must be published by e-mail to the professor and the class members 24 hours before the scheduled
class discussion. (e.g. a response paper on debate topic for Wednesday 02 February at 1:00, must be sent to
class members by e-mail no later than Tuesday 01 February at 1:00).
 The response paper should consist of at least the following subheadings: Introduction & Background, Position,
Reasons/Arguments supporting position (evidence), References used.
 During the class discussion all students are expected to have read the position papers presented; be prepared
to evaluate the arguments for and against; and able to take a stand for themselves.
 All students beside the four presenters are expected to submit a written (1 to 2 pages) critique of the debate. A
suggested outline of the critique will be provided.
 Pairs are encouraged to discuss their progress with the professor. Students should also remember that library
personnel are willing to assist in finding material.
 An exception to the debate series is the three summaries of Commanding Heights (CH) where each student
must write a one to two page summary of each CH video episode. Each episode is approximately two hours in
length.

Topic/Issue Due Date:

Commanding Heights #1 03-Feb
Commanding Heights #2 08-Feb
Commanding Heights #3 10-Feb
The euro area will [not] fragment over the next ten years 17-Feb
Making trade fairer is [not] more important than making it freer 24-Feb
Free trade treaties (e.g. NAFTA, CAFTA) are [not] good for our domestic economy (USA). 03-Mar
We [do not] support job off-shoring 24-Mar
MNEs are [not] the best agents to bring an end to poverty in Africa 31-Mar
Labor standards should [not] be harmonized between countries with free trade agreements
(social clause) 14-Apr

5.5 Term Project

The term project is a team activity with a maximum of three students per team. By 27 January the teams should be
formed and the country selected. The term project consists of five dimensions or phases:
1. Country Experts - Throughout the semester students are expected to monitor and report on events (political,
legal, economic, social, etc.) in their country of choice. Recognize that discussion can be at three levels. At the
first level events, facts, and news reports are mentioned. At the second level patterns in the events and facts
are identified and reported. At the third and deeper level the reasons behind the patterns of events are
recognized. During the first month level one reports will be accepted,
“Changing people’s customs
but there should be a systematic deepening of the discussion so that
by mid-March a substantial portion of the report will be at levels two
and three.
2. Country Profile – Complete the Country Intelligence Report (CIR). is an even more delicate
3. Risk Assessment – Complete the Risk Assessment Report (RAR). operation than surgery".
4. Country Export Profile (CER) - Explore and identify products and
Anon.
services the country of choice has to offer together with the
competitive advantage associated with each product/service.
5. Country Trade Fair (CTF) – Prepare and deliver a presentation (PowerPoint) where you will represent the
country and its products/services to potential customers or investors for export, FDI, or business alliances. Be
persuasive and convincing by stressing the CSA for targeted industries.

Phase Due Date

Country Intelligence Report (CIR) 15 February
Risk Assessment Report (RAR) 17 March
Country Export Profile (CER) 07 April
Country Trade Fair (CTF) 26 April

6. GRADES

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The grading system is designed to assess the student’s work from both a theoretical and practical perspective and
covers a broad spectrum of assessments to measure the student’s performance toward achievement of the class
objectives.
6.1 Final Grade
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
Quizzes 15%
Assignments 5%
International Issues Debates 20%
Term Tests 30%
Term Project & Presentation 20%
Participation 10%
6.2 Grade symbols for this course are determined as follows:
Grade Percentage GPA Points
A 90% - 100% 4.00
B 80% - 89% 3.00
C 70% - 79% 2.00
D 60% - 69% 1.00
F 0% - 59% 0.00

7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & CLASS POLICIES

7.1 College Policies
This class is governed by the policies and procedures stated in the current Chattanooga State Student Handbook.
Additional or more specific guidelines may apply.

7.2 ADA Statement

Students who have educational, psychological, and/or physical disabilities may be eligible for accommodations that
provide equal access to educational programs and activities at Chattanooga State. These students should notify the
instructor immediately, and should contact Disabilities Support Services (S-113, phone 697-4452) within the first two
weeks of the semester in order to discuss individual needs. The student must provide documentation of the
disability so that reasonable accommodations can be requested in a timely manner. All students are expected to
fulfill essential course requirements in order to receive a passing grade in a class, with or without reasonable
accommodations.

7.3 Policy Regarding Disruptive Students

The term classroom disruption means—student behavior a reasonable person would view as substantially or repeatedly
interfering with the conduct of a class. A student who persists in disrupting a class will be directed by the faculty
member to leave the classroom for the remainder of the class period. The student will be told the reason(s) for such
action and given an opportunity to discuss the matter with the faculty member as soon as practical. The faculty
member will undertake prompt consultation with the Division Dean and the College Judicial Officer. If a disruption is
serious, and other reasonable measures have failed, the class may be adjourned, and the campus police summoned.
Also, if you are concerned about the conduct of another student please see your teacher, department head, or division
dean.

7.4 Affirmative Action

Students who feel that he or she has not received equal access to educational programming should contact the college
affirmative action officer.

7.5 Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty

In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic
dishonesty is prohibited. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, an attempt by one or more students to use
unauthorized information in the taking of an exam, to submit as one’s own work themes, reports, drawings, laboratory
notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person, or to knowingly assist another student in
obtaining or using unauthorized materials. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are
prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are
immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions, which may be

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imposed through the regular institutional procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the
authority to assign an ―F‖ or zero for an activity or to assign an ―F‖ for the course.

7.6 Disclaimers
This course syllabus and attached schedule is subject to change at short notice. The instructor will endeavor to keep to
them, but change may be necessary during the semester. Kindly be alert to announcements (either verbally in class, or
by e-mail) that may modify the syllabus or schedule.
The subject material, and particularly the cases, is often of such a nature that there are many good answers.
Therefore, although the instructor is educated and experienced, he does not know everything, nor does he have the
answer to every question that may be asked. In addition, there will be subjects and issues on which he has a biased
viewpoint. However, the instructor will make every effort to indicate his biases and the student is free to agree or
disagree with those biases.
7.7 Classroom Management
Students are requested to:
 not bring food or beverages (other than drinking water) into the classroom.
 turn off pagers and/or cell phones during class time.
 use computers only for material directly related to the topic/issue discussed at the time.
 converse with friends outside the classroom on non-class related issues.
 not use any electronic device during a quiz/test/exam.
7.8 Keeping in Touch
To facilitate communication between the instructor and students, all class members are encouraged and expected to
regularly check their eLearn account. All e-mail announcements posted to the class will be considered public class
announcements.

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8. TOPIC AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
Course: MG 0202 International Business Credit: 3 Credits
Location: Omni B118 Spring Semester, 2011
Instructor: Laurence Chaij, M.B.A. Class Time: T, Th 1:00 to 2:15

Day Date Class Activity Chapter Assignments Due

Tues Jan 18 Introductions and Syllabus Review
Thurs 20 The Rapid Change of IB 1 Quiz #1 Map Quiz - N. America
Tues 25 International Trade and FDI 2 Quiz #2 Map Quiz - Europe
Thurs 27 Theories of International Trade & Investment 3 Quiz #3 Map Quiz - S. America
Tues Feb 01 International Institutions 4 Quiz #4 Map Quiz - Asia
Thurs 03 Sociocultural Forces 5 Quiz #5 CH Summary
Tues 08 National Resources & Environmental Sustainability 6 Quiz #6 CH Summary
Thurs 10 Economic & Sociaeconoimc Forces 7 Quiz #7 CH Summary
Tues 15 Political Forces 8 Quiz #8 CIR Phase
Map Quiz - Oceania
Thurs 17 The Euro area Debate Critique
Tues 22 Intellectual Property & Other Legal Forces 9 Quiz #9 Map Quiz - Africa
Thurs 24 Fair Trade Debate Critique
Tues Mar 01 Mid-Term Exam, Ch. 1-9
Thurs 03 Trade Agreements Debate Critique
Tues 08 Spring Break
Thurs 10 Spring Break
Tues 15 International Competitive Strategy 12 Quiz #12
Thurs 17 Organizational Design & Control 13 Quiz #13 RAR Phase
Tues 22 Assessing & Analyzing Markets 14 Quiz #14
Thurs 24 Off-Shoring Debate Critique
Tues 29 Entry Modes 15 Quiz #15
Thurs 31 MNE's and African Poverty Debate Critique
Tues Apr 05 Export & Import Practices 16 Quiz #16
Thurs 07 Marketing Internationally 17 Quiz #17 CER Phase
Tues 12 Global Operations & Supply Chain Management 18 Quiz #18
Thurs 14 Labor Standards Debate Critique
Tues 19 H.R. Management 19 Quiz #19
Thurs 21 International Accounting & Financial Management 20 Quiz #20
Tues 26 Project Presentations CTF Phase
Thurs 28 Presentations and Review for Final Exam
Final Exam
Notes: This schedule is subject to revision at short notice.
9. CRITIQUE OUTLINE
Use the following outline to write the debate critiques. The critique can be presented either in the form on page 8
(typed), or as an essay. If you choose to use the table structure, do not limit yourself by the numbering of the points in
each section as these are only for illustrative purposes.

1. Main issues
2. Perspectives
a. Main arguments/reasons
b. Assumptions
c. Fallacies
d. Relate to personal norms & values
3. Personal position

Spring 2011 MG202 International Business Page 6

 Example of Assignment Cover Sheet

Chattanooga State Community College

Business and Information Systems Division

Assignment for Course: MG 202 – International Business

Submitted to: Prof. Laurence Chaij
Submitted by: Kevin Student
123456
Kevin@chattanoogastte.edu

Date of Submission: 21 January 2011

Title of Assignment: Term Paper / Reading Report / Term Project / Debate Critque

The Relationship between War and Trade

CERTIFICATION OF AUTHORSHIP: I certify that I am the author of this paper and that any assistance I
received in its preparation is fully acknowledged and disclosed in the paper. I have also cited any sources
from which I used data, ideas or words, either quoted directly or paraphrased. I also certify that this paper
was prepared by me specifically for this course.

Student's Signature: _______ _______________________

*****************************************************************

Instructor's Grade on Assignment:

Instructor's Comments:

Spring 2011 MG202 International Business Page 7

Topic:

Main Issues 1.

2.

3.

4.

Perspectives

- Main Arguments 1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

- Assumptions 1. 1.

2. 2.

- Fallacies 1. 1.

2. 2.

- Personal Norms 1. 1.
& Values
2. 2.

Personal Position

Spring 2011 MG 202 International Business Page 8