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INB 3305
Global Business

Steve Gardner
Fall 2017

Class Time/Location:
MW 2:30-3:45pm, Foster 303

Gardner Office Hours/Location:
MW 10:30am-12:00pm
T 2:30-4:00pm
F 1:00 - 2:30pm
and by appointment,
McBride Center, Foster 230.05

    Text
    • Charles Hill and G. Tomas Hult, Global Business Today, 10th edition
      • Purchase options:
      • The Baylor Bookstore has a "custom Baylor edition" that includes only the chapters that you need for this course, and is printed in black-and-white. The price for that edition is $124.25. This is all you need, and it's what I recommend.
      • On the McGraw Hill web site, you will see several other options, ranging from temporary online access to a full-color edition of the full book, and with options for other learning aids, ranging in price from $125 to $249. Any of those will also be sufficient for the course.
      • You may be able to find a lower price if you purchase an older edition of the text, but I cannot guarantee that an older version will fully prepare you for the classes and exams.
    • Additional required readings may be posted on this web site and/or distributed in class.

Recommended References

Objectives

This is a survey course on global business, designed to provide an introduction to many different areas of specialization, including international economics, finance, ethics, management, marketing, and business law. Each of these topics is covered in greater depth in other courses offered at Baylor.

More specifically, we will explore questions such as these:

  • What changes are occuring in the geo-political and institutional environment of international business?
  • What is the economic significance of globalization - the international movement of commodities, services, investment capital, labor, information, and technology - and what are the benefits and costs of rising global interaction?
  • How is international cooperation affected by differences in the economic, political, and cultural systems of countries?
  • If my company wants to get involved in exporting or importing goods and services, what process should we follow? What services can we obtain from other companies and government agencies to assist us in market research, legal procedures.
  • What options are available for financing internationa;l trade and investment transactions?
  • How does international trade and investment affect the human resource management strategy of my firm?

Grading

Semester grades will be based on your performance on three examinations, each of which will include a combination of objective and essay questions.  Class preparation, participation, and completion of any out-of-class assignments will also be taken into account. See other important information under Attendance, below.

Optional Term Paper: If you have a comparative advantage in research and writing, if you are taking this course for some special purpose (honors credit, area studies, etc.), or if you would like to explore a particular topic in depth, you may write an optional research paper. In this case, the grade for the course will be spread evenly across the examinations and term pape. If you wish to pursue this option, turn in a topic statement and a preliminary bibliography by September 20. The finished paper is due November 27, and should be submitted electronically as an email attachment to steve_gardner@baylor.edu.  Guidelines for writing the research paper may be found here.

Optional Video Production: Another skill that is growing more valuable and accessible is video production. If you would like have an opportunity to use and strengthen your skills in this area, you can produce a 5-10 minute video that explores a topic or concept from this course in an engaging way, and present it as an optional course assignment. In this case, the grade for the course will be spread evenly across the examinations and your grade on the video. If you wish to pursue this option, turn in a topic statement and a preliminary bibliography by September 20. The finished video is due November 27, and should be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo, and a link should be sent to me at steve_gardner@baylor.edu. Guidelines for production and evaluation of the video may be found here.

Extra Credit: I will occasionally announce that certain relevant events on campus are available for extra credit. In these cases, you will be expected to write brief summaries and responses to the sessions. Each of these reaction papers can add up to an additional point to your final course average.

See other important information about extra credit under Attendance, below.

Semester grade averages will be converted into letter grades according to the following scale: A 91-100; A- 89-90; B+ 87-88; B 81-86; B- 79-80; C+ 77-78; C 71-76; C- 69-70; D+ 67-68; D 61-66; D- 59-60; F below 59.

Attendance

In keeping with University and Business School Policy, students who miss over 25% of class meetings (in this case, 8 or more sessions) will automatically fail the course. On the other hand, three points will be added to your semester average if you have perfect attendance; two points will be added if you have one absence; one point will be added if you have two absences (for purposes of earning this extra credit, there are no "excused absences"). If you arrive late for class, you will be recorded absent unless you have the roll changed after class. Please avoid late arrivals and early departures -- they are disruptive. 

Academic Success

Like other members of the faculty and staff, I want to be sure that you have every opportunity to have a successful experience at Baylor. If you have an unexplained pattern of absences or if you seem to be struggling in the course, I will submit an Academic Progress Report to the Success Center. I will work to help you get the support that you need, and I can assist you in finding the resources you need beyond my course. Familiarize yourself with the services provived by the Paul L. Foster Success Center in Sid Richardson or by going to: http://www.baylor.edu/successcenter/. Even if you don’t need help, you can get involved by tutoring other students in the future or by telling a hall mate how and where to get help. 

Classroom Conduct

  • Please make every effort to arrive on time and avoid leaving early. If you must leave early, please tell me before class begins. For more information on this subject, see "Attendance" below.
  • Please switch off cell phones before class begins.
  • Please give your full attention during class. Texting, e-mailing, web surfing, and side conversations are disrespectful and distracting. Please do not make it necessary for me to confront you about distracting behavior.
  • Our classes will be more interesting if we have broad and lively discussions.  Please participate, but avoid monopolizing the discussion. Respect alternative points of view and help me to "draw out" shy class members.
  • With the exception of bottled water, we are not allowed to have food or drinks in the Foster classrooms.
  • For additional information on classroom conduct, see corresponding section of the Student Handbook .

Title IX

  • Baylor University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in any of its education or employment programs and activities, and it does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex or gender. If you or someone you know would like help related to an experience involving sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, intimate partner violence, or retaliation for reporting one of these type of prohibited conduct, please contact the Title IX Office at (254)710-8454, or contact our Title IX coordinator, Kristan_Tucker@baylor.edu, or report online at www.baylor.edu/titleix.
  • The Title IX office understands the sensitive nature of these situations and can provide information about available on- and off-campus resources, such as counseling and psychological services, medical treatment, academic support, university housing, and other forms of assistance that may be available. Staff members at the office can also explain your rights and procedural options if you contact the Title IX Office. You will not be required to share your experience. If you or someone you know feels unsafe or may be in imminent danger, please call the Baylor Police Department (254-710-2222) or Waco Police Department (9-1-1) immediately. For more information on the Title IX Office, the Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Interpersonal Violence policy, reporting, and resources available, please visit the website provided above.

Military Student Advisory

Veterans and active duty military personnel are welcomed and encouraged to communicate, in advance if possible, any special circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployment, drill requirements, disability accommodations). You are also encouraged to visit the VETS Program Office with any questions at (254) 710-7264. 

Students Needing Accommodations

Any student who needs academic accommodations related to a documented disability should inform me immediately at the beginning of the semester. You are required to obtain appropriate documentation and information regarding accommodations from the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation (OALA). Contact Information: (254) 710-3605 - Paul L. Foster Success Center, 1st floor on the East Wing of Sid Richardson. 

    Tentative Course Schedule

    Aug 21

    Course Overview

    Aug 23

    Chapter 1: Globalization (lecture outline)
    Video: Scott Szwast, “The global business next door” (TED)

    Aug 28

    Chapter 2: National Differences in Political, Economic, and Legal Systems (lecture outline)

    Aug 30

    Chapter 2 continued with video: “Putin’s Russia”(PBS NewsHour) and "The German Prison System" (60 Minutes)

    Sep 4

    Labor Day Holiday

    Sep 6

    Chapter 3: National Differences in Economic Development  (outline)

    Sep 11

    Chapter 3 continued with videos: Jim Yong Kim, “Doesn't everyone deserve a chance at a good life?” (TED) and Graham Allison, “Destined for War” (Charlie Rose).

    Sep 13

    Chapter 3 continued with guest speaker, John Ssozi (teaches INB 4334)

    Sep 18

    Chapter 4: Differences in Culture (outline) 

    Sep 20

    Chapter 4 continued with selections from videos, “The Finland Phenomenon.” Proposals due for optional term papers or videos.

    Sep 25

    Chapter 4 continued with guest speaker, Wayne Hampton (teaches INB 3333)

    Sep 27

    First Exam

    Oct 2

    Chapter 5: Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Sustainability  (outline)

    Oct 4

    Chapter 5 continued with selections from videos: "Inside Job," “Interview with Jeremy Grantham,” (Charlie Rose) and "Anonymous, Inc" (60 Minutes)

    Oct 9

    Chapter 6: International Trade Theory  (outline)

    Oct 11

    Chapter 6 continued

    Oct 16

    Chapter 9: Regional Economic Integration (outline)

    Oct 18

    Chapter 9 continued with video, “After Brexit: The Battle for Europe”

    Oct 23

    Chapter 9 concluded.

    Oct 25

    Chapter 10: The Foreign Exchange Market  (outline)

    Oct 30

    Chapter 10 continued with guest speaker, Susie Etheredge (outline)

    Nov 1

    Second Exam

    Nov 6

    Guest speaker,  Shinji Miyake (exchange professor from Seinan Gakuin University in Japan), The Japanese Economy

    Nov 8

    Chapter 14: Exporting, Importing, and Countertrade  (outline)

    Nov 13

    Chapter 14 continued with guest speaker, Martha Agee (teaches INB 4320)

    Nov 15

    Chapter 14 continued with guest speaker, Dan Ogden (Dallas international trade attorney) Notes

    Nov 20

    Chapter 16: Global Marketing and Research and Development  Notes

    Nov 22

    Thanksgiving

    Nov 27

    Chapter 16 continued with guest speaker, Jim Anderson (teaches INB 4325) Optional term papers or videos due

    Nov 29

    Chapter 15: Global Production and Supply Chain Management  Notes

    Dec 4

    Chapter 17: Global Human Resource Management  Notes

    Dec 9

    Final Exam 4:30-6:30