SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
BA341 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT SYLLABUS
______________________________________________________________________________
Instructor:
Mr. Gerald S.A. Perez
Email:
geap43@yahoo.com
Office Hours: By appointment
Meeting Day and Time: MW 12:30 – 13:50
Contact #s: 735-2512; cell 482-6137
1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
(3 cr)
This course consists of readings and analysis of social, economic, political, legal, and
technological forces which impact business organizations. The course focuses on East Asia.
Other international environments will also be introduced and considered. (This course is only
offered in Spring.)
2. LEARNING COURSE OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENTS
Students will, upon completion of the course, be able to:
 Explain the importance of international management practices in business
organizations;
 Understand the impact and implications of standard and international employment
practices;
 Describe the elements of international business including related key concepts &
terminology, legal conditions and social constraints;
 Apply learned principles and techniques to cultural differences and to appropriate
topics and projects including competency in verbal and written skills;
 Demonstrate teamwork and leadership on practical team research projects;
 Identify international business practices in “real world” situations through research
and internet projects;
 Analyze information on international topics in a logical and critical manner;
 Recognize & understand the importance of and practice compliance with business
etiquette expectations including timeliness, politeness and grooming;
 Identify the career possibilities available in international business in Guam and
Micronesia. (Linkage to local & regional business environments, career possibilities
in Guam for UOG grads)
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS
General Knowledge Goals
Goal 1: Develop a general understanding of all facets of international business operations
and activities
Goal 2: Recognize how legal, regulatory and political environments affect business
decisions
Goal 3: Develop and appreciate an understanding of diversity, regional, and global issues
in multicultural settings.
Goal 4: Demonstrated skills in analytics, critical thinking, communication, teamwork and
personal business behavior
Goal 5: Demonstrated problem solving and interpersonal skills
3. REQUIRED MATERIALS
A. TEXT: There will be no assigned text for this course. Resources will include specific
readings as well as specific resources on the worldwide web.
B. Internet Resources: Students are required to utilize the worldwide web as a resource &
submit all course work electronically unless otherwise stipulated.
C. Guam PDN, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg, and CNN
online.
PEDAGOGY
Lectures, group and individual presentations, expert guest speakers and field assignments.
Students are expected to be actively involved, do independent research, and otherwise contribute
toward enhancing the learning environment.
METHODS OF EVALUATION
Knowledge gained from lectures and guest speakers, individual and group projects, strong class
participation, written reports and presentations, and periodic exams and unannounced quizzes.
GRADE WEIGHTING
Three Interim Examinations
Participation & Attendance
Portfolio of Assignments
60%
30%
10%
100%
GRADING SCALE
90-100%
A
80-89%
B
70-79%
C
60-69%
D
59% & below F
EXAMINATIONS (60%)
There will be three scheduled examinations through the semester, each of which is worth 20% of
the course grade, and based on review questions and topics covered in class. These exams are
designed to ensure the understanding of applicable concepts and theories of management within
the organization and assignments made in support of learning objectives.
PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE (30%)
Each class session is worth 10 points, and tardiness will result in a deduction of 3 points.
Participation and attendance will be used to ascertain the extent to which class material is
understood. Class participation is encouraged and will be assessed through oral discussion and
in-class presentations. Absences from class will not be excused without good reason and prior
notification of the instructor by telephone or email. There will be unannounced “pop quiz” days
as a way to encourage attendance and measure student understanding of course material from the
lecture and presentation of outside and real world supplementary information. Teams of not more
than 4 or 5 students will be assigned, but subject to modification based on class size.
PORTFOLIO OF ASSIGNMENTS (10%)
Submission of assignments and readings in partial support of outcomes learned from projects,
readings and other assignments.
INTERESTING LESSONS LEARNED (ILL) GOTTEN GAINS
 Due every Thursday beginning the last Thursday of January and last submittal on the 2nd
Thursday of May (14 total to be included in portfolio - *portfolio due on the last day of
class)
o Share article or event read in local paper, magazines, or internet (ANY source), or
personal experience
o Has to do with any aspect of management and(or) leadership
o Need short summary (one page max.)
 Written or bullet point format (your choice)
 Key points: must include what the article is about, what’s the issue, how
resolved (if applicable), and lesson learned
o Submit report in writing or electronically
o Be prepared to report orally
OUTCOME ASSESSMENT
Course requirements will be assessed through instructor-determined criteria and standards,
incorporating self-evaluation, reflection and peer review. Instructor-developed rubrics will
center on student performance and instructor feedback, thereby providing the basis for ongoing
or “formative” assessment.
MISCELLANEOUS
 Business appropriate dress code
 Cell phones must be turned off during class to avoid distraction as a courtesy to other
students and class presentations
 Laptop usage is allowed but restricted to note-taking and related course applications
 Timeliness is required in all areas including class attendance, assignment submission,
teamwork
 Health issues are to be observed and students with ill symptoms are expected to seek medical
help as appropriate and to not expose the class to contagious diseases
 Students with specific disabilities requiring special accommodation must contact the
instructor privately to discuss such accommodation
 Plagiarism and dishonesty in exams and report assignments will not be tolerated, and factual
source citations are expected for all written and other reports as appropriate
 Cover sheet for all assignments:
“Title of Assignment/Case” (Bold Print)
4 spaces down
Submitted by
Student’s Name
4 spaces down
In partial fulfillment of requirements for
2 spaces down
BA240 Management of Organizations
4 spaces down
Submitted to
2 spaces down
Prof. Gerald Perez
2 spaces down
Spring 2013
CALENDAR OF CLASS MEETINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Class will meet according to the following calendar schedule. Instructor may amend schedule as
warranted, with adequate notice provided to students.
Date
January
Weeks 3 & 4
Topics
General course orientation
Overview International Business Environment
Assignments
Know and understand
syllabus
February
Weeks 1 & 2
Asian Business Environment
Individual research and
team projects
Weeks 3 & 4
ASEAN & BRICS Economies
Individual research and
team projects
Lectures, topics, and
countries covered
Last Wednesday of
February
INTERIM EXAM #1
March
Weeks 1 & 2
Micronesia
Individual research and
team projects
Weeks 3 & 4
Eurozone Economies
Individual research and
team projects
March
26 – 29
SPRING BREAK
April
First Wednesday
of April
Weeks 2 - 4
May
Week 1
First Wednesday
INTERIM EXAM #2
Americas, Africa, Middle East
Open discussion
Reviews
INTERIM EXAM #3
Portfolio of readings
Second Wednesday
Lectures, topics, and
countries covered
Individual research and
team projects
Free time
Lectures, topics, and
countries covered
Due date
NO LATE
SUBMISSIONS
Note: Individual and group project presentations to be determined as appropriate throughout
the semester.