Fall 2007 Module 2 International Business Course for MBA MAIB MSM MSF ECO FRE MALAS Students

LATIN AMERICAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

LAS 6295 (5676) Tue & Thu 7-8, MAT 120 Terry McCoy, Instructor
Latin America is enjoying the fifth year of economic expansion. How much longer will it last? How can businesses take advantage of it? The past two decades have witnessed far reaching changes in the Latin American business environment with the opening formerly closed economies to global competition. But despite the promise of the regions New Economic Model and the current expansion cycle, some political leaders in the region led by President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela are calling for a return to state-directed development. Given its history of economic and political volatility, what does the future hold for Latin Americas business environment? Is it finally on the path of sustained growth or is a major policy paradigm shift in the making under the auspices of the left-leaning governments that have come to power in recent years? Can companies and investors find a balance in the shifting mix of opportunities and risks? Assessing the business environment: This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for interpreting current events and assessing future developments in Latin America from a business and investment perspective. It gives special attention to the evolution of the economic reforms and regional trade agreements of the 1990s, and addresses the social, political and legal factors affecting business. It also examines business practices, ethics and etiquette. Prerequisites/Registration: MBA, MAIB or other graduate business standing, graduate standing in the social sciences and one semester of economics are required. Previous Latin American course work is useful but not required. The course is required for the MBA, MSF and MALAS concentrations in Latin American business. Students who want 3 credits can combine LAS 6295 with one-credit of LAS 6905 (Latin American Political Economy) during Module 1. There is also a onecredit Spanish course SPN 3224 (7501) linked to this course. Course Requirements: Individual graded work includes a comprehensive 2-hour final examination, 2 questions submitted for class discussion and case study analyses while each student will participate in a team project developing a business proposal for one of the sub-regions within Latin America. Dr. Terry McCoy 305 Grinter Hall 392-0375 x808 tlmccoy@latam.ufl.edu