Course Descriptions
The International Business Program is broken down into two levels of instruction. The core-level courses (100-200 level) focus on international business principles and concepts; cultural diver-sity awareness and sensitivity; an understanding of geography and its regional and global impli-cations; and multinational enterprise operations and administration. The upper-level courses (300 level) provide the students with an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of international busi-ness. Courses cover a wide range of international topics including marketing, human resource management, export-import management, system-level simulation, internship, and special topics like big emerging markets.
IBS 105 - Introduction to International Business (3)
The course will explain business and management concepts from an international perspective. It will focus on the social, cultural, political, legal and economic environments that influence international business operations. The course will look at international trade theories; the evolution of regional economic integration arrangements; foreign direct investment; governmental intervention in international trade; and the importance of foreign currency exchange market. Course work will include special research projects and/or case studies for class presentation and discussion. PREREQUISITE: None
IBS 110 - World Economic Geography (3) (Also listed as GEO 104 and HST 110)
The course provides a systematic framework for understanding the contemporary world that we now live in. It is a world of interconnecting countries possessing special combinations of natural, cultural, social, political and economic environments. The course will help the student to develop an appreciation of these countries and their individual impact on the rest of the world. This will lead to a better understanding of not only the old world order but, more importantly, the new world now evolving. The course breaks the world down into twelve geographical realms, each of which will be reviewed in detail. PREREQUISITE: None
IBS 120 - Diverse Cultures of the World (3) (also listed as GEO 105 and HST 120)
The course provides the student with an understanding of the many cultures that make up the world we now live in. Today’s world is a global world made up of people with diverse cultural backgrounds. It is important to recognize cultural sensitivities that exist in every society. Cross cultural awareness and understanding are critical to meaningful relationships and for success in every walk of life. The course will look at culture, verbal and non-verbal communications, religion, and roles of women, and will include a survey of geographical regions such as North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Emphasis will be placed on the contemporary issues found in today’s international environment. PREREQUISITE: None
IBS 210 - Multinational Business Theory and Practice (3)
Built around the functional areas of marketing, finance, production, and personnel management, this analytical course will provide a framework for studying operational issues in International Business. A combination of lectures and case studies from the U.S. and foreign companies, this course constitutes the core of the multinational enterprise operations curriculum for students majoring in International Business. PREREQUISITE: IBS 105. Open to sophomores and juniors
IBS 308 - Principles of International Law and Diplomacy (3)
A study is made of the fundamental concepts of international law and diplomacy. Particular attention will be devoted to the significance and application of these concepts in international relations. PREREQUISITE: POL 105
IBS 316 - International Marketing (3)
The course will provide the student with an understanding of the pertinent issues in international marketing. The course will explain the international environment (cultural, political and legal) and the influence it has on marketing goods and services in the global marketplace. The course will look at global marketing strategies; the need for creating global products to meet consumers’ tastes and preferences; pricing strategies for global marketing; global advertising and other promotional strategies; international distribution systems; and assessing global market opportunities. Course work will include special research projects and/or case studies for class presentation and discussion. PREREQUISITES: Junior or senior status and permission of the instructor.
IBS 320 - Management of Export/Import Business (3)
The course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles, concepts, and practices involved in the management of the export/import operations of a multinational enterprise. The course will enable the student to develop an in-depth understanding of the mechanics involved in exporting/importing. The course will concentrate on export/import laws and documentation; international sale/purchase agreements; use of intermediaries; payment methods, financing options; and government export/import assistance. The course will include a class project to develop an export/import operating manual for a multinational enterprise. Open to juniors and seniors. PREREQUISITES: IBS 105 or permission of the instructor.
IBS 335 - International Organization and Administration (3)
This course provides an analysis of various s of international operations by focusing on the typical structures of doing business on a worldwide basis. Using the case study approach, students will look at the operational integration of various companies. Open to juniors and seniors. PREREQUISITES: IBS 105 and 210 or permission of the instructor.
IBS 350 - International Human Resources Management (3)
The course provides an overview of international human resource management. The globalization of business is having a significant impact on human resource management. Decisions have to be made on how to staff international operations; where and how to recruit and select personnel; how to train employees for international assignments and evaluate their performance; what compensation to provide them; how to facilitate the return of international employees to their parent organization; and how to handle international labor relations. The course will include a class project to develop an international human resource operating manual for a multinational enterprise. PREREQUISITES: IBS 105, 120, or the permission of the instructor.
IBS 380 - International Business Capstone Course (3)
This is a senior-level International Business capstone course. The course objective is to provide seniors with a comprehensive course to review their knowledge and understanding of international business theories, concepts, and principles, and their relationship to one another. The student will develop a system-level of a U.S. manufacturing company entering the international marketplace with the goal of becoming a multinational enterprise. The company will identify a region of the world and a specific country within that region. The U.S. company will go through the various stages of market entry. Collaborative arrangements like joint venture, licensing, and foreign production can be employed in the . The foreign production operation will be used to market to other countries within the region with the long-term objective of marketing globally. The will be interactive with submodels, controlled scenarios, and computer simulations to create a real world international business environment. PREREQUISITE: Senior IBS status or permission of the instructor
IBS 390 - Senior Specialized Course in International Business (3)
This is an advanced course dedicated to giving detailed insight into specific topics, regions or countries. Examples of topics include: doing business in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa, or the Middle East; big emerging markets (BEM); impact of U.S. laws on international business. PREREQUISITE: Senior status or permission of the instructor.
IBS 395 - International Management Internship (3)
An essential part of the International Management Program, 3 credit hour internships will be made available to qualifying students at domestic and international organizations where students will have the opportunity to experience and practice International Business Management techniques covered in the curriculum. Each internship will be individually designed in collaboration with the participating organizations. PREREQUISITE: Available to seniors with the approval of the Department Chair, International Business Department.
American International College
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Springfield MA 01109
(800) 242-3142
inquiry@aic.edu