International Business with Language & Culture

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or Bachelor of Arts in International Business with Language & Culture

The International Business with Language & Culture, B.S.B.A and B.A. degree program offered by the Boler College of Business prepares students for careers in global business. The program emphasizes language and cultural studies, with core and elective courses covering international business, finance, marketing, and law. Graduates gain skills in cross-cultural communication, analysis of international markets, and proficiency in a foreign language.

Program Information

In an increasingly interdependent world economy, a proficiency in a second language and culture is crucial to excel in the commerce, politics, and society of today’s global marketplace. As an International Business major, you will focus course work, study abroad and internship experiences on one of at least three general areas:
- international marketing (analysis, development, and promotion)
- international logistics and supply chain management
- international financial management

Combining language and culture with business in both course work and experiential activities produces students who are well prepared for the unique challenges and problems encountered in international business. You will graduate with a set of highly valued tools:
- proficiency in a second language and culture
- understanding of, and, appreciation for, cultural variations in behaviors and values
- an ability to analyze international business contexts (e.g., markets, financial arrangements, currencies, transactions)
- an ability to analyze change, risk, and uncertainty, and how change will affect the performance of people, products, and organizations across cultures
- an ability to adapt to different cultures and the flexibility to tackle organizational challenges across cultural settings and situations

International Business with Language and Culture students gather the experience and skills needed to make strategic decisions and to understand how the business world works on a global scale. Potential employers include a wide variety of organizations:
- consulting firms
- NGOs
- companies providing international services
- multinational companies
You may work across a full range of functional areas such as accounting, finance, marketing and logistics.

Major Requirements

In addition to completing the Integrative Core Curriculum, a total of 62 – 80 credit hours is required as described below.

Language and Culture:

0 – 24 credit hours. Proficiency in a second language, typically demonstrated by completing three courses (9 credits) in the target language beyond the 1030 level, is required. This may add up to 12 additional hours of language courses depending on the student’s language preparation prior to coming to John Carroll. Six credit hours of country-specific culture classes are also recommended. The country-specific classes may be counted toward University Integrative Core requirements, when feasible.

Business Core:

41 credit hours, including MHR 4461. A complete listing of the Business Core can be found under the Graduation Requirements for the Boler College.

Core Courses

Students must complete the University’s Integrative Core Curriculum in addition to the Boler Core Curriculum. In completing the Integrative Core Curriculum, Boler College of Business students must take (Business Ethics) as one of the choices in the category of Jesuit Heritage.

Major Courses

Major Courses
IB 3301	Culture & Change Uses a historical and behavioral lens to analyze how culture can affect economic, social, political, and organizational change, and how these changes can affect different cultures. Major historical changes and their consequences in shaping culture are explored and related to contemporary societies. Prerequisites: EC 2201, EN 1250 or equivalent.
MK 3361	Multinational Marketing Provides a fundamental understanding of international marketing. Analyzes the scope, opportunities, and challenges associated with marketing across international borders, with a particular emphasis on non-western countries. Prerequisite: MK 3301.
FN 4439	International Business Finance Tools and techniques necessary to understand the financial management of the firm in an international environment. Exchange rate determination, risk analysis, transactions denominated in foreign currency, nontraditional trading practices, and the unique problems faced by multinational firms. Exchange rate risk in foreign securities investments. Prerequisite: FN 3312 (minimum grade of C).
EC 3342	International Economics International trade theory, commercial policy, and economic interdependence. Exchange rates and the foreign exchange market, the balance of payments, parity conditions, and the international monetary system. Prerequisite: EC 2201 and EC 2202.
IB 4495	Business Problem Solving Across Cultures The capstone course of the IBLC major. Students are confronted with a series of problems that they solve initially for a company in the U.S., and then for a company abroad. Emphasis is on how the solutions need to change as a function of culture. Should be taken in the spring semester of senior year. Prerequisite: IB 3301

Students may also choose to double major in IBLC and any one of the other majors in Boler (Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, Economics). Interested students should consult with their advisors on how to complete requirements for both majors.

Electives

Electives
EC 3343	Economic Development Theoretical and policy issues in economic growth and development with emphasis on specific country policies and experience; alternative development paths; problems of development planning; policies for achieving growth and development in emerging countries; and conditions necessary for continued growth in advanced countries. Prerequisite: EC 2201 and EC 2202.
SCM 3361	Global Supply Chain Principles and practices of supply management in a global environment. Emphasis on the regulatory, technological, social, business, and political issues that might impact transnational supply-chain efficiency. Prerequisite: SCM 3328.
EC 3342	International Economics International trade theory, commercial policy, and economic interdependence. Exchange rates and the foreign exchange market, the balance of payments, parity conditions, and the international monetary system. Prerequisite: EC 2201 and EC 2202.
FN 4439	International Business Finance Tools and techniques necessary to understand the financial management of the firm in an international environment. Exchange rate determination, risk analysis, transactions denominated in foreign currency, nontraditional trading practices, and the unique problems faced by multinational firms. Exchange rate risk in foreign securities investments. Prerequisite: FN 3312 (minimum grade of C).

Students are required to take 3 International Business electives.

*International Business electives can be taken at Porn�о�� or abroad.

International elective classes from the College of Arts and Sciences must be approved by the IBLC director. Program electives taken abroad are transferred back as IB 3304-3309 or IB 4404-4409.

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Experiential Learning

This major requires a study-abroad experience in a country of the student’s language of study, and an internship. Study abroad typically occurs during the spring semester of the junior year, students must apply through the Center for Global Education by the deadline prior to the semester of study abroad. In addition, BPD 4490 or BPD 4492 (0 credit) must be completed for the internship (or coop) requirement of the program. Although the required internship can be taken while abroad or in the U. S., students are encouraged to find one while abroad. Note that many study-abroad programs require that students have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students should be sure to speak with the director of the program.

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124

Number of Countries That Count China as its Largest Trade Partner, More Than Twice as Many as the U.S. At 52.

$20 Billion

Total Annual Exports From Just One U.S. Company, GE.

76%

People Working In International Business Holding a Bachelor’s Degree

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