BT450A
GLOBAL MANAGEMENT SEMINAR
Mondays 4- 5:40PM (Select Dates Only, See Below)
Babbio 210
Spring 2015
Dr. Ann Murphy
Howe School
Stevens Institute of Technology
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
410 Babbio
(201) 216-5056
ann.murphy@stevens.edu
Office Hours: Office hours will be Mondays 11-noon or briefly after class on the days we have
class. Please also feel free to set up an appointment with me if this time doesn’t fit your schedule.
When reaching me by email, please email me at the email address provided above.
Course Meeting Dates: We will meet on campus seven times leading up to the trip: February 9
& 23, March 23 & 30, April 13 & 20, May 4. The trip itself provides an experiential learning
experience for all, and is considered an integral component of the course curriculum.
Course Overview:
BT450 Global Management Seminar runs every Spring semester as part of the Howe School
Short Study Abroad program. BT450 combines coursework delivered in Hoboken (roughly
twice per month), with experiential lessons in the study abroad destination. This year we will be
going to Greece May 22-29, 2015.
Every time the course is offered, it has a different theme. This avoids redundancy and allows for
students to take the course multiple times. This year’s theme is international business
strategies. An array of topics will be covered, including but not limited to:
 Strategies for sourcing/manufacturing products internationally;
 Strategies for expanding businesses into international markets;
 Analyses of different forms of alliances with international partners, such as strategic
alliances and joint ventures;
 International market assessment and economic analysis.
We will consider both scenarios of US companies doing business internationally, as well as
international companies doing business in the US. To connect the curriculum to the trip, we will
work closely on specifically understanding the market in Greece, and the opportunities and risks
it poses for US companies especially given Greece’s recent economic hardship.
Relationship of Course to Rest of Curriculum:
The course can serve as a general elective. It may also serve as a Quantitative Finance (QF)
elective for students in the QF major, a course requirement for the international business minor,
or a course requirement for the international business concentration in the Business &
Technology major.
Learning Goals:
The business world today is becoming increasingly global, and future business leaders will need
to develop a global mindset to be successful. The overarching goal of this course is to help
students start to develop that global mindset. Specifically, we aim to help you:
1. Understand how businesses operate across national borders and how executives meet
some of the unique challenges and opportunities of having a global business.
2. Increase your cultural awareness and sensitivity, and learn how to interact and
communicate with people who come from different backgrounds.
3. Identify and critically analyze issues of global concern.
4. Express your views on international strategy topics.
Pedagogy:
Multiple methods will be used throughout the course including readings, short lectures, class
discussions, short pre-class assignments, and a final project. Most notably, we will be taking a
weeklong trip to Greece to see international business in action. When in Greece, we will visit
multiple companies and speak with executives about international business strategies. We will
also visit cultural treasures like the Parthenon and Acropolis, and will seek opportunities to help
students understand how these sites contribute to business, e.g., through the Greek tourism
industry.
Participation is an essential feature of this course. Each student brings unique insights,
experiences, and perspectives to class. You should consider one another as additional and
important catalysts for learning. While in Hoboken as well as in Greece, I will always be asking
you what you think about the topics we discuss and expect that we will all engage in a
continuous and meaningful conversations that help us expand what we know.
Required Readings:
There will be no textbook for this course. There will be various other readings – e.g., articles,
cases – and those will be made available to you electronically.
Course Website:
We will be using Canvas throughout the course. PowerPoint presentations, readings, and other
materials will be posted there.
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Grading:
Grading will be based upon your attendance, participation, homework assignments, and final
project. The percentage breakout of these components is indicated below. An average score of
60% or above will indicate a passing grade, and below 60% will be a failing grade.
Item
Final Individual Project
Short Homework Assignments (about 3 pts each)
Class Participation & Attendance (in Hoboken)
Class Participation & Attendance (in Greece)
Weight
30%
20%
20%
30%
Total
100%
Assignments:
1. Final Individual Project. There will be a final individual project due after our return from
Greece. Details TBD.
2. Short Homework Assignments. For some each class period, you will prepare brief
homework assignments related to the topic covered that day.
3. Classroom Participation & Attendance. Given the unique nature of this course, we will
only meet 7 times on campus, as outlined above. Given our limited class time, let’s make
the most of it. To do that, please make every effort to attend class. If you have to miss
class, you should inform me by email in advance of absences with the reason for
your absence. Please include in the subject line that you will be missing class. Please
also come to class prepared and ready to participate by engaging in discussions, asking
questions, etc.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Classroom Behavior Expectations: Please help everyone have a better
classroom experience by adhering to the following professional standards of
behavior:
Cell phones are to be silenced and completely out of sight during class time. (no
texting please!). If you have an urgent call/text to make, you can step out of class.
Notes are to be taken by hand and we’ll limit computers to specific assignments.
If this presents a hardship for you, let me know and we can work something out.
Please keep your attention on class. Avoid engaging in side discussions with
other students. Please don’t enter and exit classroom unless really necessary.
It is important that you arrive to class on time.
4. Trip Participation & Attendance. The trip to Greece will be an exciting, fun learning
adventure for all. It is important that we experience all it has to offer as these kinds of
opportunities don’t come along often! Let’s make sure we participate in all of the
scheduled activities, such as company visits, university lectures, and trips to tourist
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destinations. You need to be on time for all of these activities, because the rest of the
group will be waiting for you. You also need to be actively involved in discussions, and
represent Stevens well.
Assignment Submission Requirements:
I expect professional, high-quality work. Writing style, grammar, and spelling will be
considered in determining your grades. Unless otherwise noted, all written assignments must be
typed on a computer, double-spaced, with a 12-point font and one-inch margins.
All assignments must be submitted on or before the specified due date. I will only accept late
assignments if it is discussed with me beforehand and I am not surprised. However, late penalties
will be assessed for late assignments regardless of the reason and even with my prior approval.
The late penalties are:
Late Penalties:
1 -2 days late: 5% point deduction
3-5 days late: 10% point deduction
6-8 days late: 15% point deduction
9+ days late: 25% points deduction
Academic Honesty Policy:
Enrollment into the undergraduate class of Stevens Institute of Technology signifies a student's
commitment to the Honor System. It is the responsibility of each student to become acquainted
with and to uphold the ideals set forth in the Honor System Constitution. Specific student
responsibilities include:
 Maintaining honesty and fair play in all aspects of academic life at Stevens.
 Writing and signing the pledge, in full, on all submitted academic work.
 Reporting any suspected violations to an Honor Board member or to the Dean of Student
Development.
 Cooperating with the Honor Board during investigations and hearings.
Pledge of the Honor System
The pledge signifies that the work submitted by a student is indeed his/her own. There is one
designated pledge to be used for tests, homework assignments, lab reports, and computer
projects. The pledge shall be written in full and signed by the student on all submitted academic
work. Any references used (including texts, tutors, classmates, etc.) should be listed below the
written pledge.
"I pledge my honor that I have abided by the Stevens Honor System."
Changes to the Syllabus:
This course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the
professor may be necessary.
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