BUSG 1191 International Study Tour - Mexico
(Special Topics in Business, General)
Section 36024
May 21-28, 2006

Professor: Don Morris
Web Site: www2.austincc.edu/quinn
Phone/voice mail: 223-8118
Fax: 223-8230
E-mail: dmorris@austincc.edu
Office: Pinnacle Campus, Room 1025

Course Description:  This course is held for one week in a foreign country.  Students are introduced to the management practices, culture, and language of the destination country through business tours, seminars, and museum visits.  Seminars are conducted at a host educational institution in the destination country.   Travel expenses are included in course fees and vary based on destination.  Course may be repeated for credit up to two times as destination varies (three credit hours maximum).  Minimum age is 18.   Skills: C (reading and special approval)   Course Type: W

Course Objectives:  The objective of this course is to introduce students to the business practices, economics, history, language, and culture of a foreign country.  It is widely understood that almost all businesses, large and small, now operate in a global economy.  Not having a comprehensive understanding of a country in which one conducts business often leads to disastrous outcomes.  This course increases students' understanding of the differences between the United States and a foreign country, and the importance of considering those differences when conducting business internationally.  

Course Requirements:  To successfully complete this course you will:

  1. Attend the mandatory pre-trip orientation meeting(s).  Dates and times to be determined
  2. Attend all scheduled events during the trip
  3. Maintain a detailed daily journal
  4. Use the language skills learned during the language seminar (this won't be as difficult as you might think)
  5. Be willing to give presentations about your study abroad experience to other classes at ACC

Grading Policy:  Your grade in this course will be based on the following:

Daily Journal: You will keep a detailed daily journal of the activities planned for Monday through Friday of the trip.  You should always have a notepad with you during the day to jot down notes.  This will help you remember what you learn.  The journal should be organized by day and include the following sub-headings:

  1. Business and Economics - During the trip you will visit local businesses and attend a seminar on business and economics in the destination country.  This section of your journal will include information learned from these activities.  You should compare and contrast what you learn with what you know about the US economy and business practices.  You should also comment on things that you notice through casual observations when in restaurants, shopping, etc...  
  2. History - During the trip you will attend a seminar on the history and culture of the destination country.  You will also learn many things about the history of the destination country through various tours and museum visits.  This section of your journal will include all of the information you learn about the history of the destination country.
  3. Culture - You will be exposed to the culture of the destination country during the entire trip.  This section of your journal will include your cultural observations during planned events and during your free time.   There is no single definition of culture.  In general, culture refers to peoples' way of life.  Some aspects of culture you may want to write about include language(s), how people interact with each other, how people interact with foreigners, diet, music, dress, humor, religion, sports, art, etiquette, working/business hours, television shows, peoples' views of government's role in their lives, leisure activities, general observations about how people behave, etc, etc, etc...   This section of your journal can also include any other information you learned or observed and would like to write about.

It is suggested that you spend some time each day organizing your journal so that when you return to Austin you can easily turn you notes into a nice type-written document that can be submitted to your instructor.  A completed type-written journal will be due to your instructor no later than two weeks after your return to the US .  The journal entries for each day should begin with an overview of what you did that day followed by detailed information by sub-heading.  It should be single spaced, use a standard 12-point times roman font, and be stapled.  

Language:  If you travel to a non-English-speaking country your trip will include a seminar covering basic language skills.  You will learn things such as greetings, how to introduce yourself, and how to order at a restaurant.  You definitely will not become fluent during your time abroad, but you will find that the language skills you learn will help you to function reasonably well.  You will also find that being immersed in the language and culture of the foreign country is, in itself, a great language teacher.  Just by being in the country you will learn more of the language than what is covered in the seminar.  Throughout the trip your instructor will coach you through using your new language skills in public situations.  You will actually find this to be an enjoyable exercise that will quickly build your confidence.  This experience will increase your interest in learning a foreign language.  

Presentations:  One condition of participation in this course is that you agree to share your experience with other classes at ACC.  You may, or may not, be asked to do this.  If you are asked, it is expected that your presentation be professional and concentrate on the formal activities of the trip.  You are encouraged to share pictures taken during these activities.  Such presentations are usually done to promote future study abroad trips.      

Travel Costs: The travel fee for this course includes motorcoach fare, accommodations, and some city and museum tours.  Additional travel costs while in country include taxis and public transportation, most meals, some tours, entrance fees to some museums/sites, and souvenirs.  Students should plan on at least $200-$300 for these additional costs.  

Conduct:  You are a representative of the United States and ACC while on this trip.  Your conduct is expected to reflect appropriate professionalism at all times.  You must be on time for all events and participate fully.  All requests to meet at a particular time and place must be strictly adhered to, without exception.  Failure to do so will jeopardize participation in activities for everyone.  There will likely be activities and meetings that happen during the trip that aren't in the itinerary.  Punctual participation in these activities is also mandatory.  

Absolutely no illegal drugs or drugs for which one has no prescription will be permitted on the trip.  Anyone who possesses drugs illegally will be subject to the laws of the destination country or the laws of the United States .  Partaking in drugs illegally under any circumstances will lead to immediate disciplinary action including termination of the trip and a failing grade for the offending student, and possible criminal prosecution by the destination country or the United States .   

Failure to adhere to any of these rules may lead to early termination of the trip for an individual or the entire group, and/or a failing grade.  The importance appropriate conduct cannot be stressed enough.  If you are only interested in traveling for leisure please do not enroll in this course.   

Itinerary:  The professor has put a great deal of effort into planning this trip.  Some situations may warrant a modification to the itinerary while the trip is in progress.  The professor reserves the right to modify the itinerary at any time based on his/her judgment.  

Course Materials:  There is no textbook for this course.  You will need to carry a notepad and pen with you during scheduled activities.  You should have a notepad that is easy to carry and that can be written on while standing.  

Withdrawal Policy:  You can only withdraw from this course before the official ACC withdrawal date or before the start of the trip, whichever comes first.  Doing so may carry a financial penalty that includes loss of all tuition paid as well as some travel fees.  In general, once airline tickets are purchased their cost cannot be refunded under any circumstances.  Additional travel costs may also be non-refundable once payment has been made.  You will not be able to withdraw from the course during or after the trip.  

Incomplete Policy:  Because of the nature of this course an Incomplete grade is not possible.  

Change of Address, Phone Number, or Email Address:  Please notify the instructor if any of these items changes or you may not receive important information.  

Academic Dishonesty Policy:  "Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentation presentations, and homework" (Student Handbook. The student handbook can be found here http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/)

Students With Disabilities:  This course involves extensive walking (often over very hilly terrain and over very rough and uneven surfaces such as cobblestone streets), walking up and down stairs, carrying luggage for several blocks and up and down stairs, rapid train and public transportation transfers, and other physically demanding activities.  Many countries do not have the same physical accommodation standards as the Unites States.  Students with disabilities that may affect their ability to do any of these things must contact ACC's Office of Students with Disabilities before completing an application to enroll in the course.  Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodation within the constraints of the destination country and the realities listed above.  A student may be required to be accompanied by an assistant at their own expense. 

Additional Information: