INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS & TRADE
IBUS 1305
Instructor: __________________________________________
Phone:
_________________________________________
Email:
_________________________________________
Office: ________ Fax: ________________________________
Prerequisite: none
Credit: 3 semester hours
Materials Needed: International Business, 5th Edition, by Wild & Wild, Prentice Hall Publishing
Company.
Course Description and Objectives:
This course is a broad survey of the field of international business, and the techniques for entering the
international marketplace. Emphasis is on the impact and dynamics of sociocultural, demographic,
economic, technological, and political-legal factors in the foreign trade environment. Topics include
patterns of world trade, internationalization of the firm, and operating procedures of the multinational
enterprise.
Useful sources of current information regarding international business are the Wall Street Journal, New
York Times, The Economist, Euromoney, Business International and the Financial Times.
Learning outcomes
In order to accomplish the above, it will be necessary for the student to meet the following skills and
objectives:
1. Explain the importance of international business
2. Classify countries by income level
3. Discuss the marketplaces of North America, Western Europe, and the rest of the world.
4. Classify countries-based on trade theories:
a. Mercantilism
b. Absolute advantage
c. Comparative advantage
d. Comparative advantage with money
e. Relative Factor Endowments
5. Discuss international investment theories
6. Define balances of payments surplus and deficits
7. Define the structure of the foreign-exchange market
8. List some of the barriers to international trade.
9. Explain regional economic integration
10. Explain international commodity arrangements.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
List the laws that cause differences in legal systems.
Explain how the elements of culture affect international business.
Prepare a mission statement and list strategic goals in developing international strategies.
Evaluate cost, benefits, and risks in foreign markets.
List the forms of exporting.
Define international licensing.
Define international franchising.
Discuss international strategic alliances.
List issues in global organization design.
Explain how to manage change in international business.
Statement of Foundation Skills and Workplace Competencies (SCANS Skills)
The Lone Star College System is committed to preparing every student with the knowledge and skills
needed to succeed in today’s dynamic work environment. Towards this end, the following foundation skills
and workplace competencies have been designed into the curriculum for this course:
Foundation Skills
 Demonstrates Basic Skills – Reading (F1), Writing (F2), Arithmetic (F3), Mathematics (F3),
Listening (F4), Speaking (F5)
 Demonstrates Thinking Skills – Creative (F6), Decision making (F7), Problem solving (F8),
Seeing things through the minds eye (F9), Knowing how to learn (F10), Reasoning (F11)
 Exhibits Personal Qualities – Responsibility (F12), Self-esteem (F13), Social (F14), Selfmanagement (F15), Integrity / Honesty (F16)
Workplace Competencies
 Manages Resources – Allocates time (C1), Allocates money (C2), Allocates material and facility
resources (C3), Allocates human resources (C4)
 Exhibits Interpersonal Skills – Participates as team member (C5), Teaches others (C6),
Exercises leadership (C8), Negotiates to arrive at decisions (C9), Works with cultural diversity
(C10)
 Manages Information – Acquires and evaluates (C11), Organizes and maintains (C12),
Interprets and Communicates (C13), Uses computers to process (C14)
 Uses Systems and Technology – Understands systems (C15), Monitors and corrects
performance (C16), Improves and designs systems (C17), Selects technology (C18), Applies
technology to task (C19), Maintains and troubleshoots (C20)
Means of Assessment
Means of Assessment will be determined by your instructor. Please see the attached Syllabus Addendum if your
instructor has provided one.
Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Your instructor will supply detailed testing and grading procedures. If you stop attending class, you must withdraw at
the Admissions Office before the official drop date. Failure to do so will result in a grade of ‘F’ for the course.
Attendance and Participation Policies
Class attendance is important. Generally, the course material is covered in the textbooks; however, lectures
and small group exercises augment and clarify the textbook material. You are encouraged to get to know
your fellow students in order to have a source for lecture notes and handouts if you cannot attend a class
session.
Students are expected to assume the responsibility for learning. Your instructor will assist you, but the
actual responsibility rests with you. Students are also expected to devote their energy to attaining the skills
and knowledge required for their particular career goals.
The Lone Star College System Policy & Procedure Manual [Student Conduct, Section 562.0ld] states,
“Disruptive activity that hinders other students’ learning or deters an instructor from effective teaching will
not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
To provide equal-opportunity learning situation for all students enrolled in this class, children are not
allowed in the labs or classrooms.
Academic Integrity
The college’s academic integrity policy states, the Lone Star College System is committed to a high standard of
academic integrity in the academic community. In becoming a part of the academic community, students are
responsible for honesty and independent effort. Failure to uphold these standards includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Plagiarizing written work projects.
Cheating on exams or assignments.
Collusion on an exam or project.
Misrepresentation of credentials or prerequisites when registering for a course.
Virus Protection
The college will not be held liable for any corruption of data caused by virus contamination. The college computers
are regularly screened and are protected against computer viruses to the best of our ability. However, we do not
guarantee that viruses do not exist on our systems. Procedures are in place in all labs for you to scan your diskettes. It
is your responsibility to protect your data from corruption due to viruses.
Student Services
Library
The Library at each college provide print and non-print resources and services for students. The materials have been
selected to serve the curricular, vocational, and recreational needs of the college community. Each college provides
computer access to a variety of information in electronic form including bibliographic indexes to journals, Internet
resources, and multimedia publications.
Learning Support Centers
Learning Support Center at each college provide print and audio-visual materials as well as tutorial
assistance and computer labs for students who need academic support services. Materials from other
disciplines are available in each center including reading, writing, math and college study skills.
Internet & E-mail
The Lone Star College System provides computing and network resources to students. Students are encouraged to use
the computers, software packages, and electronic mail (e-mail), for educational or System-related activities and to
facilitate the efficient exchange of useful information. However, the equipment, software and network capacities
provided through the System computer services are and remain the property of the System, and access may be denied
to any student who fails to comply with the System’s policies and procedures regarding its use.
Access to the System’s e-mail and similar electronic communication systems are a privilege and certain
responsibilities accompany that privilege. System users are expected to demonstrate the same level of
ethical and professional manner, as is required in face-to-face or written communications. Anonymous or
forged messages will be treated as a violation of this policy.
Equal Opportunity Statement
It is the policy of the Lone Star College System to provide equal employment, admission and educational
opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability.
Lone Star College System strives to provide an excellent learning environment free from harassment or
intimidation directed at any person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Any form
of harassment will not be tolerated.
ADA Statement
The Lone Star College System is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning environment for all students.
The college system promotes equity in academic access through the implementation of reasonable accommodations
as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary
educational activities.
If you require reasonable accommodations because of physical, mental, or learning disability, please notify
the instructor of this course as soon as possible and preferably before the end of the first two weeks of class
to arrange for reasonable accommodations.
Guaranteed Graduate Policy
The Lone Star College System guarantees that graduates of its Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or
Associate of Applied Science and all Certificate programs, will provide under certain circumstances,
additional education and training tuition free to students lacking appropriate master of specified
competencies.
Drops/Excessive Absences:
Under Section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code, "an institution of higher education may not permit a
student to drop more than SIX courses, including any course a transfer student has dropped at another Texas
public institution of higher education." This statute was enacted by the State of Texas in Spring2007 and
applies to students who enroll in a public institution of higher education as first-time freshmen in the Fall
2007 semester or later. Students enrolled prior to Fall 2007 are not affected. Any course that a student drops
is counted toward the six-course limit unless the student is completely withdrawing from the institution or
meets one of the eligible criteria for a waiver. A "drop" in this instance is considered when a student is
dropped or withdrawn from a course after official day resulting in a grade of "W." Please refer to the catalog
for any additional information regarding the eligible criteria for a waiver.
For additional information, refer to the Lone Star College System catalog.