BUS 200: Global Environment of Business Master Syllabus
Course Instructor:
Office Number:
Office Hours:
Email:
Course Meeting Times:
Required Course Materials:
- Required Textbook and Materials
- Note that your course materials will be delivered through Revel by Pearson. Revel includes access to the eTextbook and interactive assessments.
- Title: Revel International Business, 10th edition
- Authors: John J. Wild, Kenneth L. Wild
- How to Register for Revel through Canvas
- Step-by-Step instructions: Register for Revel or eText from Canvas (pearson.com)
- Video instructions: How to register for Revel or eText from an LMS (pearson.com)
- Support: If you have questions visit AskPearson. For 24/7 technical support go to Contact Support (pearson.com).
- Students are also required to subscribe to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Financial Times though the George Mason University library. All of these subscriptions are free.
- Other readings may be assigned throughout the semester and posted on Canvas.
Course Website:
- Canvas will be used for this course. Login and click on the “Dashboard” tab. You will see BUS 200-001. NOTE: Username and passwords are the same as your Mason email account. You must have consistent access to an internet connection in order to complete the assignments in this course through Canvas.
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the ever-changing global business environment. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, business serves as a core institution that mediates relations between individuals across national boundaries. The global environment shapes business as much as business shapes the environment. The course will provide an overview of the global environment of business through the study of the political economy, international institutions and theories of international trade, and cooperation around issues such as sustainability, natural resources, labor, human rights, distribution of income, and the environment. The course will address the implications of these topics for business.
This course meets the Global Contexts requirement of the Mason Core, and has also been designated a Green Leaf Course.
Course Methodology
This course will rely on assigned readings, lectures and video lectures, group activities, group and individual projects, quizzes, assignments and exams to facilitate learning.
Participation
Learning can only happen when you are playing an active role. It is important to place more emphasis on developing your insights and skills, than on transmitting information. Understanding is more important than facts and definitions. It is a way of looking at the world, an ability to interpret and organize future information. An active learning approach will more likely result in long-term retention and better integration of the information you are learning.
Although an active role can look differently for various individuals, it is expected in this class that you will work to explore issues and ideas under the guidance of the professor and your peers. You can do this by reflecting on the content and activities of this course, asking questions, striving for answers, interpreting observations, and discussing issues with your peers.
Course Grading and Assignments
Course Schema
| A | 93.00 – 100% |
| A- | 89.50 – 92.99% |
| B+ | 87.00 – 89.49% |
| B | 83.00 – 86.99% |
| B- | 80.00 – 82.99% |
| C+ | 77.00 – 79.99% |
| C | 73.00 – 76.99% |
| C- | 70.00 – 72.99% |
| D | 60.00 – 69.99% |
| F | 0 – 59.99% |
Course Assignments
REVEL Quizzes
Students will complete a multiple short comprehension quizzes that are embedded in the course e-textbook. Each quiz will consist of 2-5 multiple choice questions. All quizzes are due at 23:59:00 hrs. on the Sunday that the reading assignment is due. Students can submit the quiz late but a 50% deduction in points is levied for late submissions.
Group PESTLE Project
Working in groups, students will conduct a PESTLE analysis on two different countries as potential expansion markets for a specific company (or a specific product type). Students will complete the project in several stages:
-
Company Overview, PESTLE Factor Ranking, and Bibliography
-
Final Project Report
-
Group Presentation – Delivered by all group members and using a slide deck
-
Individual Reflection
-
Peer evaluation
Globalization Case Study Assignment
Students will read a short case study on a topic related to interconnections and interdependence in the global economy and then write an essay addressing specific prompts related to the case study.
Ecology/Circular Economy Project
Students will complete a three-day review of their consumption behavior related to specific product categories. Upon completion of this review they will write a short essay focused on how they can change one aspect of their consumption to be more sustainable/circular.
Participation
Students will be expected to both attend class and actively participate in class discussions and activities. These will include Q&A sessions, group discussions, short written assignments, and quizzes.
Exams Students will complete a midterm, and final exam. Each exam will be cumulative. Exams will consist of multiple choice, short-answer, and long-answer questions. Exams will cover all assigned material including lectures, readings, discussion forums, videos, and other media.
Exams
Students will complete a midterm, and final exam. Each exam will be cumulative. Exams will consist of multiple choice, short-answer, and long-answer questions. Exams will cover all assigned material including lectures, readings, discussion forums, videos, and other media.
| Assignment | Percentage (rounded) | Points |
|---|---|---|
| REVEL Quizzes | 20 | 200 |
| Essay 1 - Globalization | 5 | 50 |
| Essay 2 - Circular Economy | 5 | 50 |
|
Group PESTLE Project
|
25 | 250 |
|
Exams
|
25 | 250 |
| Participation | 20 | 200 |
| Total | 100% | 1000 |
Course Schedule
| Module | Subject | Assignments |
| Module 1 | Introduction, Globalization Today |
|
| Module 2 | Global Market Analysis |
|
| Module 3 | Cross-Cultural Business |
|
| Module 4 | Political, Economic, and Legal Systems |
|
| Module 5 | Economic Development of Nations |
|
| Module 6 | Technology and Innovation, FDI |
|
| Module 7 |
|
|
| Spring Break |
|
|
| Module 8 | International Trade Theory |
|
| Module 9 | Governments and Trade |
|
| Module 10 | PESTLE Presentations and Report |
|
| Module 11 | International Financial Markets |
|
| Module 12 | International Monetary System |
|
| Module 13 | Ecology and Climate Change |
|
| Module 14 | Ethics, Social Responsibility, and Sustainability |
|
| Module 15 | Review for final exam |
|
| Final Exam |
|
To print: Right-click and choose “Print,” then follow your browser’s print settings.
To download: Right-click and choose “Print,” then select “Save as PDF.”