Required Materials

• Hill, Charles, International Business:  Competing in the Global Marketplace, 7th Edition, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2008.

• To explain how and why the countries of the world differ
• Present a thorough review of the economics and politics of international trade and investment
• Explain the form and functions of the global monetary system
• Examine the strategies and structures of international businesses
• Assess the special roles of an international business’s various functions
• To understand important differences in the overseas operating environment
• To understand why currency values fluctuate and their impact on a company’s and country’s competitiveness
• To build skills essential to processing information about future developments in international business

• Awareness of the opportunities and risks associated with international investments and operations
• The ability to recognize legal, cultural and financial differences in the international environment
• The ability to evaluate information from multiple perspectives
• The ability to relate information on new international developments to current operations in order to evaluate appropriate management response

Connectivity

Keeping pace with the state of modern business Internet access to the World Wide Web and e-mail is required for the duration of the course.  If you do not have access away from campus there are several computer labs on campus that are available without charge.  This syllabus, class updates and a variety of CSUH related links will be posted on the web site http://www.martsolf.com.  In addition, each student should maintain and regularly check an e-mail account to receive urgent updates.  In the first week of class each student should visit the home page above and follow the links to the CSUH pages or log on to http://www.martsolf.com/CSUH/CSUH.htmland click on the “Add to E-Mail” button under “Management 4670, Section 01.”  This e-mail only needs to be sent once, and within a few days you will receive a confirmation that you have been added to the mailing list.

The final letter grades for the course will be determined through the use of a modified curve.  The examinations, the homework and the project will each count as 100 points.  The total points accumulated during the course will be the primary input for assigning final grades.  However, trends in performance, both individually and in comparison to the class at large, may have a positive effect on the final grade.  In general, the grades may be expected to fall within the following distribution:
 
 

Homework and Examinations

Homework assignments from the text will be assigned to complement the lecture material. All homework assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date assigned.  Homework submissions should be typed, double spaced and answers should constitute between one half to one page per question.  As the answers to the assignments will be posted immediately after the due dates no late homework will be accepted.  Of the seven homework assignments to be turned in, the five with the highest scores will be counted toward the final grade.

Examinations will be closed book.  However, to prevent unnecessary memorization it is recommended that each student bring an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper containing notes to the examinations.  No other notes, scratch paper or other study aids will be permitted.  The examinations will be based on readings from the text, homework questions assigned and the lecture material.  Examinations will focus on students' comprehension of the material through multiple choice, essay and problem solving questions.

Project

Assume you have $50,000 (imaginary U. S. dollars) to invest.  On Thursday, July 9, 2009 you invest the total amount in a variety of securities, bonds or other financial instruments of your own choosing.  To ensure proper diversification, no more than 20% of the total investment may be denominated in any one currency.  During the course of the investment horizon you may buy and/or sell individual positions as you wish.  You may also invest in futures, options, or any types of swaps, hedges, etc.  However, you may never have more than 20% of your total investment in any one currency at any time.  At the close of the investment period you are required to provide a 5 to 7 page, double-spaced report of the status of your investments (in U. S. dollars) as of the close of business on Thursday, August 20, 2009.  In your report you should describe all transactions in detail and justify your positions with references to articles in the financial press.  Your report should be clear and succinct, and should contain an appendix of any length detailing all positions, transactions and other changes.

Make-Up Examinations

Make-up examinations will not be given, except in cases of illness or other extenuating circumstances.  A make-up examination will be authorized only if the student notifies the instructor prior to the scheduled examination, and provides a written explanation on the first day back in class.  If the instructor cannot be reached during office hours, please send an email explaining the circumstances as soon as possible.  

Incomplete grades are assigned only in accordance with University policy as specified in the CSUEB Catalog.  In addition, the Department of Management requires a "Report of Incomplete Grade" form to be filed with them before an incomplete grade will be accepted.  This form must be completed by the student and given to the instructor, along with any supporting documentation, prior to the final examination.
 

Attendance

Classroom attendance carries no weight in assigning the final course grade.  However, it will be difficult to obtain a good grade if classes are missed.  About 10-20% of the lecture material will not be covered in the assigned reading.  In addition, valuable insights may gained during several group exercises planned for the regularly scheduled classroom hours.  

Policy on Academic Dishonesty

It is assumed that each student in the class is interested in obtaining the best possible education.  To do so requires honest, individual effort.

The University has a published policy on cheating and academic dishonesty.  Students are expected to be familiar with the policy and to abide by it. Cheating will result in: 1) a zero score on the test and the loss of all grading options; and/or 2) an "F" grade for the course; and/or 3) referral to the Academic Vice President for expulsion from the University.