Course Syllabus

IMS 5200.556
School of Management
The University of Texas at Dallas

Course Information

Course
Course Title International Business
Term and Dates Fall 2009

Professor’s Contact Information

Professor Habte G. Woldu
Office Phone 972-883-6357
Email Address wolduh@utdallas.edu
Office Location SM 4.805
Office Hours W, Th 9:00-10:00 am and Th 11:30-1:00 pm

About the Instructor

Dr. Habte Woldu is a faculty member and Director of International Student Exchange
Programs and Foreign Study Trips. at the School of Management, UT Dallas. Courses taught
include, Comparative Management Methods (online and on campus), Global Business (online,
and on campus), Area Studies: East and West Europe, Africa and Asia at a graduate, and
International Business and Organizational Behavior & International Human Resource at
undergraduate levels. Research interest: cross-cultural management, measuring cultural
dynamics among nations and within demographic groups, East European Studies and African
Foreign Direct Investment.

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

The course is designed for graduate students who had already taken international business or
international marketing management courses.

Course Description
The course deals with economic relations in a global economy characterized by increasing
interdependence of nations. Students through the foundations of neoclassic and
contemporary economic theories will learn about absolute and comparative advantage of
nations in international trade. The course also introduces new theories of international trade
that have relevance in the current global economic situation. Students through various graphs
will be able to see the impacts of trade barriers and protectionist government policies on the
economic welfare of nations. Furthermore, students in this course will learn about the
challenges of globalization such as global economic recession, environmental questions, child
labor by multinational firms, the north-south dialogue on terms of international trade as well as
the clash between multinational firms and developing countries on employment, transfer
pricing and technology sharing. In addition, students through various group research and
case reports will present their findings to the class.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

Students upon finishing the course are expected to manage the following core issues:

IMS 5200.0G2 Course Syllabus Page 1

1. Analysis of the international trade dynamics and its trend and direction in the global
marketplace

2. Understanding the comparative advantage of trade between nations according to the

theory of Ricardo and its limitations.

3. Understanding the impact of trade barriers on the welfare of a nation and how it affects
the world economy

4. Recognizing the association global business expansion and the increase in income gap
between the rich and poor

5. Identifying the issue related to why multinational firms are blamed for transfer pricing
strategy, child labor, and an increase in environmental pollution.

Required Textbooks and Materials

Required Texts
Carbaugh, Robert, International Economics, 11th or 121th Special Editions, South-Western,
2009

Recommended Readings Materials:

• Friedman, Thomas, The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, Farrar,
Straus and Giroux, 2005

• Yergin, D. and Stanislaw, J., Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy,
PBS Series, 2002

• The Economist, The international business section of The New York Times and Journal
of International Business Studies

• Additional reading materials on the current situation will be posted online.

Recommended Short Reading Articles:

1. Marber, Peter (2004) “Globalization and its contents”, World Policy Journal, Winter
2004/2005

2 Drucker, Peter (2005) “Trading Places”, The National Interest, Spring 2005

3 Markusen, James (2002) “ Integrating Multinational Firms into International Economies”

NBER Reporter, Winter 2001/2002

4 Samuelson, Robbert (2005) “Bottom Dollar”, Newsweek, March 21, 2005

5 Chandler, Clay, (2005) “The Great –Wal-Mart of China”, Fortune, July, 2005

6 Baily, Martin and Farrell, Diana (2005) “Outsourcing Jobs: The Myths and Realities” ,
Current, February, 2005

Directions on how to download the above articles:

IMS 5200.0G2 Course Syllabus Page 2

In order to download the articles, go to the UTD McDermott library webpage. Click on the e-
journals only tab that appears under Resources. The activated page allows you to look for
journals in alphabetical order. Select the relevant journal and drill down further to find the
article.

Textbooks and some other bookstore materials can be ordered online through MBS Direct
Virtual Bookstore or Off-Campus Books online ordering site. They are also available in stock
at the UTD Bookstore and Off-Campus Books.

Course Policies

Make-up exams
Make-ups for midterm and final exams are possible only under extraordinary situation and the
instructor may not give full credit to late exams depending on the condition why the examinee
didn’t take the exam.

Late Work
Only accepted under exceptional situation

Student Assessments
Grading Information

Weights

Individual participation in the mini-case discussions 15 %

Group project: report 15 %
Mid-Term exam includes chapters 1-4 30 %
Final exam includes chapters 6 -9 40 %
Total 100%

Grading criteria

Scaled Score Letter Equivalent

91-100 A
88-90 A-
85-87 B+
80-84 B
78-79 B-
75-77 C+
70-74 C
Less than 70 F

Accessing Grades

Students can check their grades by clicking “My Grades” under Course Tools after the grade
for each assessment task is released.

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Participation in the discussion topics

Students are expected to provide comments and solutions to the posted questions and
problems spelled out in the provided group projects and discussion toptics as indicated in the
sullabus. As the cases reflect the contents and the objectives of the chapters under which
they are listed, you need to read the chapters thoroughly and google for related issues
published in journals in order to effectively participate in the discussion ..

Participation grade will be based on your level of involvement. It is important to remember that
the level of involvement will be evaluated by quality, not quantity of postings. Your posted
messages as well as your dialogues with your colleagues with regard to mini-case and group
projects should bear substance and depth.

Group Project

Project report Format: you can earn up to a maximum of 15 % for your paper and project
presentation and 5 % bonus for your extra effort and contribution.
Each student will be given a grade based on the outcome of group project and his/her level of
participation within a group. The group project report will consist of 5 pages, double-spaced
and typed. The report also should include a separate page of references used as sources in
the report; at least five references excluding your book are required.

Peer evaluation should be submitted along the group presentation document on the date of
each presentation.. Peer evaluation is based on individuals’
a) intellectual contribution
b) full participation and integrity
c) creative and original ideas submitted to the group
d) resourcefulness

Case profiles for group project are provided on the course site. Groups will be selected for
case studies and report during the first week of the course. Based on the evaluation
information, instructor will assign a group participation grade for each student.

The group project report should include

a) problem definition/theme
b) literature and method/s applied to discuss and solve the problem indicated in the case
c) alternative solutions
d) conclusion, including the best solution to the problem

Assignment submission instructions

IMS 5200.0G2 Course Syllabus Page 4

 Academic Calendar / Course Outline

Dates Chapter/Lecture Weekly Discussion Group Project Assignments

Topics Participation and Due Dates
08/25 Carbaugh Self introduction a) Before you come to
Chapter 1 class, listen to video from the
An overview of the Reading Assignment: Middle-East Economic Forum
international Marber,Peter (2004) -2009 on “Global Economic
economy and globalization and its Outlook. Source :
globalization contents”, World Policy http://www.youtube.com/watc
Journal, Winter h?v=DXVK4rK8vXQ&feature=
2004/2005 ) PlayList&p=4D017212C93BE
5A5&index=3
b) All Students come to
class after reading Marber
and Peter
09/01 Chapter 2 Reading Assignment 1: Discusses on Drucker, but all
Foundation of Drucker, Peter (2005) participate in the discussion
modern trade “Trading Places”, The by Gr. 1
theory and National Interest, Spring a) Identify the most
comparative 2005 important issues discussed in
advantage the article
Class activity 1: Theory b) How relevant is
of Comparative Drucker’s outlook on the
Advantage followed by a current economy?
homework

09/08 Chapter 3 Class activity 2 Group Project 1 (see detail in

Sources of “Measuring the effect of Project profiles)
comparative tariff on the welfare of a (Gr. 1 project presentation and
advantage nation” followed by a report)
homework
09/15 Chapter 4 Group Project
Tariffs and their (Gr. 2 project presentation and
effects on the report)
welfare of nations
Homework 1 “Determining the
benefit of international trade
based on the theories of
Smith and Ricardo” Due date
on
Homework 2 “ The impact of
tariff on the welfare of a small
nation”
09/22 Midtrm (Ch. 1-4) Note that Chapter five is not included, but you need to read it for
cases.

09/29 Chapter 6 Reading 2: Chandler Discussion 2 on Chandler by

Trade regulations Clay, (2005) “The Great Gr 2 :

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 and industrial Wal-Mart of China”, Identify the challenges and
policies Fortune, July, 2005 opportunities of Wal-Mart in
China

Group Project 3
(Gr. 3 project presentation and
report)
10/06 Chapter 7 Reading 3: Martin and Discussion 3 on Martin and
Trade policies in Farrell “The Myth of Farrell by Gr 3
developing Outsourcing
countries Is outsourcing hurting the
American Society and
Economy?

Group Project 4
(Gr 4 presentation and report)

Chapter 8 Reading 4: Discussion on “…Five

10/13 Regional trading “Five reasons why the Reasons…” by Gr 4
arrangements Vs current economic
multilateralism recession is not similar to Group Project 5 :
the Great Depression” (Gr. 5 presentation and Report)
10/20 Chapter 9 Reading 5: Discussion on “ Obama’s
International factor “Obama’s Economic Economic Challenge…”
movements and Challenge” By Gr. 5
multinational Video
enterprise “The World is Flat” 6/26
Thomas Friedman.
Discussion based on a
video “ T. Friedman in
MIT)

10/27 Final Examination Chapters 6-9

Scholastic Honesty
The University has policies and discipline procedures regarding scholastic dishonesty.
Detailed information is available on the UTD Judicial Affairs web page. All students are
expected to maintain a high level of responsibility with respect to academic honesty. Students
who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties,
including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since
such dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies
on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

IMS 5200.0G2 Course Syllabus Page 6

University Policies

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and
regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of
each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and
regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student
conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to
all registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules
and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI,
Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s
Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to
students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist
students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the
Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to
discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off
campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work
done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high
standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work
or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any
other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism
(see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which
searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises
some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange.
The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s
U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if

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it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree
of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted
information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all
communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T.
Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other
accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level
courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog.
Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle
withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any
student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of
"F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other

fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious
effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with
whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members
retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be
resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a
copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response
provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If
the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written
appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and
convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final.
The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed
at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete
grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long
semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is
not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a
grade of F.

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities
equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the

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Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable
adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it
may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the
case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may
be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is
hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be
rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special
services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals
requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office
hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities
for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship
are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused,
will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the
absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A
student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be
penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the
prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of
observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student
has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations,
either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the
institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into
account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the
decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the
Professor.

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