SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT / HARTFORD

Course Number
MGMT 3225-h90
Course Title
International Business
Semester
Fall 2016
Class hours
Thursday 6:30 9:00 p.m.
Location
Room HART 314
Final Exam
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Instructor:
Office/Office hours:
Telephone:
E-mail:

Professor Robert Werner

before/after class and by appointment
203-288-5332 (home)
203-430-0625 (cell)
robert.werner@business.uconn.edu
robert.werner@snet.net

Course Description
Provides an overview of international business and of business firms and other institutions involved in it.
The course examines both theory and applications with regard to fundamental concepts and management
practices. It also introduces the basic problems of management decision making in the international
environment. Topics covered include the nature and characteristics of international business, theories of
foreign trade and investment, national currencies and foreign exchange rates, cultural differences,
government policies toward international business, and strategy and structure of multinational corporations.
Students should achieve better understanding of the dynamics of international competition, governmentbusiness interactions in other countries, and organizational challenges of managing across borders.

Course Materials
Textbook: International Business A Practical Approach (2nd edition)

Robert E. Sweo, Sandra K. Pate, ISBN: 978-1499112849, 2014

Other required course readings posted in the Overview & Syllabus folder on MGMT 3225 HuskyCT

website
Additional assignments, exercises and other materials distributed in class and/or posted on HuskyCT
This syllabus, whose contents you are responsible for knowing

Course Objectives, Scope and Format

The increasingly rapid internationalization or globalization of business in the 21st century makes it mandatory
for almost all US businesses and business owners, executives and managers to understand the relevant
business environment and be able to assess the opportunities and risks it presents.
The objectives of this course are to introduce future managers and specialists to how international factors
influence modern business decision-making and to provide them with the appropriate problem-solving skills
to understand and function in this global environment. The course will examine both theory and applications
in order to help students understand both fundamental concepts and management practices. Specific objectives
of the course include: (1) Identification and analysis of major economic, political, social, and cultural forces
affecting business internationally, since a solid grasp of these will help any business manager to be more
effective; and (2) Introduction to international aspects of the various elements -- marketing, finance, operations,
human resources, etc. -- of business management.
Class sessions will usually include several different activities. Often I will outline and provide additional
information on the main points of the reading assignment for that day, and will expect your questions and
discussion. On most days, several students will also make brief presentations (the news reports described
below) or there will be team presentations (also described below). We will also examine exercises and cases
concerning both theoretical issues and applied, practical problems; some of these are drawn from the assigned
materials (readings and cases), others will be handed out in class. It is critical that you read all assigned materials
before class and come to class ready to discuss them.

Assignments and Grading

The requirements for this course include active participation in class discussions, homework assignments and
in-class exercises, one or two news report presentations, team presentations, several quizzes, and a final
examination. These will be used to determine the final grade according to the following weights:
Class participation
Exercises/Homework Assignments
Individual/Team Presentations
Quizzes
Final exam
Total possible points

15 points
10
30
20
25
100 points

Active involvement in class discussions and exercises is useful for practicing and improving your public
speaking and interaction skills, and all students are expected to join in these activities. Everyone starts with a
class participation grade of zero (0) and the only way to learn class participation points is to participate in class
discussions; in particular, please note that class attendance is not class participation. The keys to earning good
class participation marks are reading the assigned materials before class and listening attentively to both the
instructor and your classmates. Quality, consistency, relevance, preparation and the willingness to try out ideas
and to respond thoughtfully to the ideas of others are much more important than quantity or volume. The most
important aspect of your class participation is that it demonstrate your informed thinking about a topic. Please
feel free to ask questions and don't worry if your comments are not perfect; all constructive efforts to participate
and contribute will be regarded favorably.
Exercises and homework assignments are an important element of the course. These exercises/homework
assignments are to be handed in and graded. Some of these will be homework assignments that you write up
outside of class and then hand in on the assigned day. Others will be in-class group exercises, as noted on the

course syllabus and assignment schedule, where the assignment will be to answer questions or to apply a
specific framework based on the case and readings assigned for that day (or a previous day). On other days I
will give a brief lecture on the topic, based on that days assigned readings, and then distribute materials for
the exercise. Under both formats students break into groups to complete the exercise (about an hour); come
back to class and hand in their work; we then discuss the exercise. The point of the in-class exercises is to
practice applying concepts from assigned readings, so grades will be determined as much by preparation and
effort as by any specific answers. It is essential that you do the assigned readings before class or you wont be
able to complete the assignment. When it is not possible to complete an exercise during class time (which
often is the case), then it will become a homework assignment due at the start of the following class.
Public speaking and effective business communication are important job requirements in business, particularly
in international business:
Therefore, each class will begin with short news reports by students on current issues or topics in international
business. Each report should be based on two substantial recent articles from the business press, such as, but
not limited to, Business Week, The Economist, New York Times, or Wall Street Journal; by substantial I mean
a major news or feature article that is several pages long, not a brief update running only four or five paragraphs.
Students are free to choose the topic and articles they do not have to be related to the class assignment for
that day but they absolutely must be about some aspect of international business. The two articles should be on
the same general topic but should not contain the exact same information. Each presentation should last
between 4 to 5 minutes, followed by a short question and answer period. The presentation should identify the
issue, briefly summarize the two articles, and then explain why the issue is important (Who does it affect?
How?) You are expected to use visual aids as part of your presentation. In addition, at the time of his/her
presentation each student will hand in a typed, one or two-page write-up summarizing the information in the
two articles and his/her analysis of it. Copies of the articles must be attached. Please also attach a copy of your
slides or other visual aids.
Please be aware that there are two absolute requirements for these news reports: (i) you are NOT allowed to
read your presentation to the class (however, you may use notes) and you are expected to use overheads or
other visual aids); (ii) the five minute duration is an absolute time limit. Therefore, it is absolutely essential
that you organize and practice your presentation before coming to class so that you can speak confidently and
knowledgeably within the time limit. Please see the News Report evaluation form posted on the course
HuskyCT website for a description of the grading criteria for these news reports.
In addition to the individual news reports, there will be one or two team presentations. Depending on the
number of students in the class, you will divide up into teams of 3-5 students. The format of the Team
Presentation will be similar to the news report. The topic must be relevant to international business and the
time limit will be 10 minutes. At least 2 members of each team must participate in the actual presentation.
There will be further discussion about the news reports/team presentations and their grading criteria in class.
There will be several (most likely 2 or 3) quizzes during the semester. These will be based on the textbook,
other assigned readings, and class lectures. Some of these quizzes may be in class, others may be take-home. I
will give you advance notice of upcoming quizzes (such as, next week there will be a quiz on chapters 2
through 4).
There will be a final exam covering course materials from throughout the semester. The precise exam format
will be determined later in the semester but it will probably include a mix of true/false, multiple choice and
short essay questions. The exam will be open book and open note. The date for the final exam is Thursday,
December 15.

General Course Policies

1. Please bring the course materials assigned for that day to class.
2. All students are expected to have read the materials assigned for that day and to be ready to respond
when called upon to comment. I regularly cold call students in order to involve them in class discussion.
Please let me know before the start of class if you were unable to prepare adequately for that day. Theres
no penalty for the first time, but it will hurt your class participation grade if it becomes a habit.
3. If you are absent from a class, you are responsible for the material covered during your absence. Please get
class notes from a fellow student and contact me if you have any questions.
4. All written assignments done outside of class should be word-processed on a computer or typewritten.
They should be organized clearly and presented in a professional manner.
5. Grading Standards: Students often ask about grades. My expectations and standards are as follows. An A
is for work of distinction; to achieve a grade of A on an assignment you must complete all the requirements
for that assignment and do an excellent not good, but excellent job on them. Good quality work that
completes all the required elements of an assignment earns a B. Work that is of less than good quality or
that does not fulfill the assignment requirements will receive a lower grade. This course is set up so that
students can earn a lot of points before the final exam anyone who is responsible about doing the course
work can still earn a B even if they do poorly on the exam. The final exam is the critical deciding factor
between who gets a B and who gets an A, its designed to test what you know and to identify how well
students understand the course material.
6. Please let me know if you are experiencing difficulty with any aspect of the course. We ought to be able to
work out a solution given advance notice, but this is less likely if you let things wait until the last minute.
Students who approach the course as a professional assignment and who complete their work in a professional
manner should do well.
7. The subject and assignment schedule is tentative. It may change after our discussion at the initial course
meeting if there is a strong consensus within the class to cover some topics in more or less depth, according to
the progress of the class during the semester, and/or as a consequence of other external events.

The University and the School of Business have requested the following
information be included in syllabi:
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating and plagiarism) will not
be tolerated and will be dealt with appropriately according to university policy.
Please see the Student Code at http://www.dosa.uconn.edu for more details and a full
explanation of the Academic Misconduct policies. Academic Misconduct includes, but is
not limited to:
o Copying or sharing answers (with past or present students),
o Plagiarism of any kind including using the Internet
o Having someone else do your work (including work purchased from vendors)
o Handing in work from other courses
o Copying, saving, printing any or all exam questions, by any means (e.g.,
electronic, hand written)
o Using any materials other than those specifically allowed for the exams
Special Accommodations: Students with a disability or those who need special
accommodations should talk to the professor individually within the first two weeks of
the class. Every effort will be made to accommodate you.
The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at UConn provides accommodations
and services for qualified students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability
for which you wish to request academic accommodations and have not contacted the
CSD, please do so as soon as possible. The CSD is located in Wilbur Cross, Room 204
and can be reached at (860) 486-2020 or at csd@uconn.edu. Detailed information
regarding the accommodations process is also available on their website at
www.csd.uconn.edu.
if you you or other students are experiencing any distress or potentially compromised
personal well-being or if you have a concern about threatening, harming or disruptive
behavior PLEASE contact the Student Care Team http://studentcareteam.uconn.edu/
UConn is committed to creating and maintaining a campus environment free from all
forms of sexual harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking. There
are a number of resources available to support and help anyone impacted.
http://titleix.uconn.edu/
Student Health Services (Confidential) 860-486-4700 (24 Hours)
Counseling & Mental Health Services (Confidential) 860-486-4705 (24 Hours)
UConn Police 860-486-4800 (24 Hours)
Office of Diversity and Equity 860-486-2943