Course Description

An analysis of current global developments and rapid change in areas that have the potential for an impact on the international business environment. Attention is given to the use of techniques for identifying and researching significant issues, extrapolating probable outcomes, and developing strategic responses. Corporate and entrepreneurial perspectives are considered.

Rationale

International business is continually affected by the rapidly changing interaction among the multinational economic, political, legal, and social environments. This course is designed to teach the application of critical thinking skills in evaluating contemporary events so that the business person can apply informed judgment to the development of appropriate business responses to the changing global environments. Look over my recommended prerequisite courses at Liberty University if you need help deciding.

Measurable Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Identify and analyze contemporary issues and trends by researching current, academic, professional, and trade journal articles relevant to international business.
• Examine cause-and-effect relationships for predicting probable outcomes.
• Evaluate and draw conclusions concerning the possible future impact of various issues on international corporate and entrepreneurial enterprises.
• Research an approved topic; develop a formal outline; prepare a professional research presentation, and write a research paper demonstrating mastery of your topic.
• Integrate biblical principles and Christian Worldview with the critical issues affecting international business.

Course Allocation

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Textbook Readings, Presentations, and Videos

Comprehensive Discussion (4)

The student is required to submit a thread of at least 300 words in response to the prompt. The student will also submit a substantive reply to two other students’ discussion threads.

Research Assignments (4)

The student will research a specific topic in international business based on the critical analysis of contemporary issues of the global business environment studied within the course, and prepare a fully integrated research project in four parts: topic approval, outline, presentation, and the formal paper.

1. Research Topic Selection Assignment

• The student may choose his or her topic from any of the weekly topics for the course or chapter topics of the textbook.
• The chosen topic must relate to a contemporary issue in International Business.
• The student will need to present a minimum of three assumptions that focus on his or her research on the chosen topic.

2. Research Outline Assignment 

• Approval of the Research Topic is required before starting the Research Paper Outline.
•  The outline must be a minimum of two pages and follow current APA outline formatting using complete sentences and following the guidelines in the Outline Assignment Instructions and Outline grading rubric.

3.  Research PowerPoint Presentation Assignment 

• The Presentation topic is the approved research paper topic.
• The student will complete a PowerPoint Presentation that could be used in a business meeting.
• The presentation must contain a minimum of 15 content-related slides, and a minimum of seven sources must be referenced.

4. Research Paper Assignment

• The student will prepare and write a research paper on his or her approved topic that is a minimum of ten pages.
• The student will be expected to cite in-text frequently. Current APA formatting must be used.