Haas Global
Seminar In International Business
EWMBA 298S SEMINARS in INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
COURSE OBJECTIVES, STRUCTURE, AND ORGANIZATION
These seminars are designed to introduce the participants to the culture, history and business environment in various countries. Each SIB program focuses on a country or combination of countries that will illustrate how business environments vary across cultures. These programs are only open to Evening/Weekend MBA students. These programs do not focus on specific industries. Rather, by examining a variety of companies and industries, the goal is to develop a broader perspective. Courses are 3 units each unless indicated otherwise.
All questions about eligibility for, participation in, or registration for the SIB programs should be directed to the EWMBA office. These programs are available ONLY for students currently enrolled in the Evening or Weekend MBA programs at Haas.
STRUCTURE
Each course is a combination of lectures and seminars at Haas, a one or two week study tour of the regions of interest and a major research project undertaken by each participant. Projects are expected to relate some aspect of business in the regions of interest to the participants’ current employment.
Participation in this course is restricted to Evening/Weekend students enrolled at Haas. Selection of participants from eligible applicants is based on a seniority system. Please check course listings for more information. Please direct all enquires regarding participation/registration to the EWMBA office.
Classroom Presentations
Teams of students will select a topic from a list to be provided. The teams will each research and prepare a presentation which will be delivered to the entire class. The presentations are designed to prepare the participants for the study tour. (Applies to 3 unit programs)
Research Paper
The main assignment for this course will consist of a research paper on a topic to be decided in consultation with the instructor. The topic should encompass some aspect(s) of doing business in the region of interest. It could compare and contrast an industry in the countries; it could review market potential for some product or service in each market or follow a similar theme. Ideally, the paper should be related to the particular company or industry in which the student is employed.
The paper is expected to be a 10–15 page (excluding exhibits) document with proper bibliography and citations.
Briefings
Briefings are designed to assist the group's understanding of the companies and organizations that we will visit and/or the cultures that we will experience. Each student is to select one of the organizations on our itinerary and prepare a briefing on that entity. This briefing will be delivered to the group prior to our visit to that particular entity. Following the visit, the same student will lead a de-briefing to summarize what we learned from the visit.
Evaluation for a grade will be based on four components - the research paper, team presentations, briefings and class participation. Participation throughout the classroom sessions and during the study tour will be considered. The breakdown for grading purposes will be as follows:
• Research Paper: 60%
• Team Presentation: 10%
• Briefings / De-briefings: 5%
• Participation: 25%
RESOURCES
Please be sure to take advantage of the Long Library's extensive collection of global business news sites and trend reports. Some of these include, but are not limited to the following:
- Current Global News - Access World News, Factiva, ISI Emerging Marketgs
- Country Political and Economic Information - CEIC Global Database, Economist Intelligence Unit, Europa World Plus
- Global Industry and Business Climate - Business Monitor Online, Business Source Complete, EIU Country Commerce Reports
- International Markets - Global Market Information Database, Globus/National Trade Data Bank
More information, as well as access to the aforementioned, can be found here: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/BUSI/electres.html
LOGISTICS
All participating students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to/from the program location(s). (See specific travel requirements for each individual program.) In most cases in-country travel such as transportation to/from the business meetings, and transportation between different cities on the program's itinerary, will be covered by Haas. In addition, although it is possible that some meals will be provided, students must expect to pay for their own meals and all incidentals while traveling with the program.
HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES
Travel overseas, especially to developing countries and emerging markets, may expose participants to health and other risks different from those that they face at home. Although we will do our best to make participants aware of such risks and will make efforts to minimize risks, the ultimate responsibility lies with the participant. Participation in the program explicitly implies acceptance of all responsibility for loss, injury and/or death by the applicant. Participants are advised to check with the Centers for Disease Control and with the US State Department for information on health and safety issues respectively. See also the useful international web sites page for further research on countries and their respective health and safety record.
Each participant must obtain, at their own expense, any vaccinations, inoculations or other medications considered appropriate for a prudent traveler to the destination(s) to which they are assigned.
Each participant must register themselves with the Office or Risk Services at least 30 days prior to travel here: http://www.uctrips-insurance.org./. The university policy covers students for emergency medical evacuation to the USA, and this is a prerequisite for partaking in a Seminar in International Business. Evidence of registration must be provided to the course instructor in advance of the program departure.
The Centers for Disease Control Travel Section provides a wealth of information on travelers’ health.
