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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "BUS 498"
COURSE NAME: "International Business Seminar"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Maria Jell Ojobor
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: Senior Standing and completion of all core courses required for International Business
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This heavily case-based capstone course will enable students to integrate and consolidate previous learning and examine in-depth real-life issues of policy, competitive advantage and barriers to trade; regional and global strategy; the challenges and benefits of operating and managing internationally and cross-culturally; and the major ways in which international business is currently changing, with a consideration of the implications for future business graduates.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Firms exist to create value. This can be optimized over the medium to long term by adopting a holistic view where the firm is managed in the interests of a broad set of stakeholders. Thereby, Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (Strategic CSR) is not an option; it is what businesses do. Being able to respond efficiently and effectively to the needs and demands of stakeholders (who have increasingly powerful tools at their disposal to convey those needs and demands) is not only the key to success in today’s global business environment—it is the key to survival.
During this capstone course students will analyze the MNE’s competitive CSR strategy from a holistic stakeholder perspective by addressing CSR strategy implementation from an internal and international perspective.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Understand the critical role of stakeholders, CSR and sustainability in shaping today's business environment as a source of value creation, competitive advantage and organizational survival.
- Apply the relevant theories and concepts for purpose-driven business model transformation
- Critically assess internal and external components of the multinational company (cultural, economic, political, institutional and legal systems) and their influence on the coherent implementation of its CSR strategy
- Apply sound qualitative research techniques to design research projects, collect and analyze data, and develop high-quality written output
- Present ideas with oral proficiency by using the technical vocabulary of management and strategy of the international firm
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods | Robert K. Yin | SAGE Publications, Inc (US) | 9781506336169 | | |
| Research Design | Creswell, John, W. and J. David Creswell | SAGE Publications, Inc. (US) | 9781071817940 | | |
| Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility | David Chandler | SAGE Publications, Inc. (US) | 9781071852965 | | |
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Capstone project | Development of a written group report and oral presentation. | 70% |
| UN Talks I - Food Security and Nutrition, 07.02. from 18:00-20:00 ONLINE | Prepare questions for the online event and summarize 1 page to be uploaded after the event. | 5% |
| UN Talks II - Reporting on Climate Change - 20.03. from 18:00-20:00 ONLINE | Prepare questions for the online event and summarize 1 page to be uploaded after the event. | 5% |
| Horizons Lecture I - Sustainability and Leadership - 13.03 at 18:00 ONLINE | Prepare questions for the online event and summarize 1 page to be uploaded after the event. | 5% |
| Horizons Lecture II - Empowering Cities for a Sustainable Future, 25.03. at 18:00 AULA MAGNA | Prepare questions for the in-person event and summarize 1 page to be uploaded after the event. | 5% |
| Triggering Change | Triggering Change is a two-minute pitch that can be done individually or in pairs. It aims to develop creative processes that inspire action on environmental sustainability. Students must participate in 2 ONLINE preparatory sessions. Start: 18/03. Submission of the pitch: 12/04.
| 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until 24/04/2024.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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The course comprises:
- Theory lectures on strategic CSR, sustainability and the MNE
- Theory lectures on research methodology
- Coaching sessions
- External lectures
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