MBA - International

Foundation Courses

The following courses provide a foundation for the IMBA program for individuals with limited business training. The department suggests that students discuss their academic background with the Director of the program prior to making a decision to enroll in any of these classes. These courses are three semester credit hours, but do not count toward the IMBA degree requirement.

BUS

500A

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

Three credit hours

This course develops a working knowledge of the basic accounting system. The primary focus is on financial accounting by the business entity. Students learn to read and understand the four standard financial reports: the balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, and statement of retained earnings with emphasis on their implications for management.

BUS

500Q

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

Three credit hours

A course for individuals who have a limited background in computer skills and algebraic techniques. Students are exposed to statistical models and applications for quantitative methods in modern management.

ELECTIVE SEMINARS
Elective seminars will be offered during a three-week term in the Fall and Spring semesters. These seminars will cover topics of current interest or provide in-depth coverage of selected topics from the core courses. The majority of the seminars will be assigned one semester hour of credit and will meet for three hours and ten minutes one night per week for a three-week period. Seminars will occasionally be given greater credit because of required travel, more class-time, or extensive out-of-class assignments. Seminars will not be offered during the summer. Additionally, students may elect to participate in one of the international seminar programs sponsored by the Business Division. These Academic Seminars, to various parts of the world, typically are for 10-15 days. Academic credit may be given with the prior approval of a faculty member and the Program Director.

Core Courses

BUS

640

INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Three credit hours

This course introduces the student to the nature and scope of participation in and management of international economic enterprises. The new global markets require an understanding of the interdependency, interaction, and integration of planning, organizing, executing, and controlling across national and cultural boundaries. The course is designed to educate the future global manager who will eventually articulate and support the international strategy of the organization.

BUS

610

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Three credit hours

This course includes the evaluation of financial statements through ratio and time series analysis, working capital management, capital budgeting, the evaluation of risk associated with different cost and capital structures, and the methods of long and short term financing of the firm.

BUS

612

MICROECONOMICS/INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Three credit hours

A study of economic theory of the firm and markets on which many managerial decisions are based. The theory serves as a foundation for understanding the patterns of international trade and the role of the firm in global markets. The theory also has a role in a nations international trade policy. Subjects include theory of demand, price making, costs, production, economies of scale, market structures, comparative advantage, international terms of trade, and trade barriers.

BUS

620

MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

Three credit hours

This course includes models and quantitative techniques for analyzing management problems including decision theory, linear programming, transportation models, optimization functions, queuing theory, multiple regression, and time series.

BUS

622

MACROECONOMICS

Three credit hours

This course includes the study of national and global business cycles, monetary and fiscal policy, the role of central banks in foreign exchange markets, and the role of international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund. Other subjects covered include national income and employment theory, links between the domestic and international sectors, flexible versus fixed exchange rates, management of exchange rate risk, balance of payment issues, and international monetary systems.

BUS

626

INTERNATIONAL MARKET RESEARCH

Three credit hours

The methods by which primary and secondary data are collected (including the internet) and the different techniques for analyzing such data are presented. Quantitative techniques, including multivariate models, are studied.

BUS

630

INTERNATIONAL MARKETING STRATEGY

Three credit hours

The emphasis in this course is on developing international marketing strategies. Alternatives in product, pricing, promotion, and distribution strategies are discussed. Case studies are used extensively.

BUS

642

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Three credit hours

This course defines culture and communication, reveals some important relationships between the two, and explores relevant systems of belief, value, and thought that increase analytical and problem-solving skills in international business relationships. Also included are the business etiquette practices that are an outgrowth of the above topics.

BUS

650

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Three credit hours

The traditional areas of corporate finance are studied from the perspective of decisions peculiar to a global corporation. These perspectives include dealing with multiple currencies, frequent exchange rate changes, differing rates of inflation, multiple money markets, segmented capital markets, constraints on ownership and the return of invested capital and earnings, and political risks of expropriation, nationalization, or counter- trade arrangements.

BUS

652

STRATEGIC LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT

Three credit hours

This course is a study of strategic problems including exporting and importing procedures, insurance, documentary credit, statistical quality control, ISO 9000, benchmarking, and international transportation.

BUS

660

THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATION

Three credit hours

This course examines the role of power and ethics in the conduct of international business. Actual cases are studied that demonstrate some of the dilemmas faced by the multinational corporation and the growing concern with integrating the ethical and social concerns with business actions in a way that is beneficial to both business and society.

BUS

661

MANAGING MULTINATIONAL PROJECTS: A STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Three credit hours

This course deals with the principles of project/systems management and the challenge of joint efforts with other nations. Emphasis is on team building, developing an effective organization structure, work planning and scheduling, and cost control within a dynamic multinational environment. Students will investigate the legal, social, economic, political, technological, and cultural implications of global projects. They will also analyze cases, estimate costs of multinational projects, and examine methodologies for multinational project funding.