Course Description:

This course examines the cultural environment of Europe with a focus  on the socio-political implications of the European integration and  emerging markets for business opportunities in the region.  The course includes case study analysis, market research and guest speakers.  Students are provided with practical knowledge related to conducting  business in Europe.   It examines the forces leading to globalization of business, and its consequences. It evaluates the impact of European integration on the structure and conduct of business in Europe and on Europe relations with countries outside the EU with particular reference to Canada. It identifies the cultural and institutional aspects of contemporary European business and reviews their significance for European-Canadian trade and investment.  The knowledge gained will be of practical significance for those conducting business in and with Europe.    

Course Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the background and motivations for European integration after World War 2.
2. Identify the dimensions of cultural, economic, social and political diversity in Europe.
3. Evaluate the challenges and benefits of different forms of economic integration from free trade to full economic and monetary union.
4. Outline the decision-making structure of the EU
5. Identify and evaluate the barriers to trade within the EU and how (and why) the Single Market initiative sought to eliminate them.
6. Discuss the implications of economic an monetary union for businesses and the economy.
7. Summarize the problems encountered by the transitional societies of Central and Eastern Europe and the probable consequences of their accession to the EU.
8. Outline the economic, trade and political relationships between the EU and the “Third World”.
9. Identify the major socio-cultural issues which affect business in the EU.
10. Recognize the major differences between business law in the EU and in Canada as well as the organizational/institutional implications of the differences.
11. Evaluate the role of organized labour in the EU and the implications for business management in Europe.
12. Recognize the planning steps essential for Canadian participation in European markets.
13. Evaluate the importance of the European market to Canadian business.

Methods of Presentation

• lectures
• interactive group discussions
• discussions in assigned cases
• presentations overheads/notes on courses website
• participatory exercises

Textbooks:

Required Readings

Baldwin, Richard and Wyplosz, Charles,  The Economics of European Integration, Third Edition, 2009, McGraw-Hill Education, ISBN 13-978-0-07-712163-5

Suggested Readings

Charles W.L. Hill, Thomas M^cKaig, Global Business Today,  3^rd Canadian Edition, 2012 McGraw Hill
ISBN: 0070401799

• In order to develop an appreciation of the international environment, the student is expected to read the “Economist”, The International”, “The European”, “Fortune”, “Forbes, INC”., “TIME”, “Profit”, Canadexport, the Canadian Foreign Affairs and International Trade web site, and the European Union Web site http://europa.eu.int/ web site and other readily available business publications focused on European business issues.
• Centennia software. Centennia Software. Groton, CT 06340, USA
  ([http://www.clockwk.com/clockwk2/order.html])

 On line Activities:

• Course web site
• email access, discussion groups, communication with Instructor
• monitoring European radio/tv broadcasts (news, advertising, current affairs)

Assignments: All assignments must be handed-in fully typed, and double-spaced and/or stapled.  Assignments will be graded based on content and communicative effectiveness.  In order to receive a grade, papers must be properly footnoted, and documented to show how the content is supported.  All papers must follow proper research format.

Special Note: Every effort will be made to manage the course as provided in this course outline. However, adjustments may be necessary at the discretion of the Professor and any changes will be announced in class. It is the student’s responsibility to become aware of any announced changes in class.

Due to the nature of this course and its structure, students will not be admitted after the second class.

Assignments, Evaluations and Explanations. (Note: Any and all paper(s) without a supporting bibliography and proper footnotes will receive a failing grade.)

Web based assignment                                            5% (individual)  (TWO PAGES double space) 
Due on Monday, January 23, 2012 class                      print copy only (unlike e-copy for remaining 1 papers)

Tests 1 and 2                                                          50% (25% each test) (both multiple choice and/or T & F) 
                                                                                       - dates indicated below in course outline (closed book)

One essay      (group work)                                    10%* (papers will not be returned, but students are welcome to
Due February 6, 2012 - Email submission only           view them in Professor's office). The student group is to
                                                                                            choose one of the following European Union topics
                                                                                           (below) and  prepare a 15 page essay explaining the
                                                                                            historical and  political (economic if relevant) problems
                                                                                            and/or benefits associated thereof.  (please see below for
                                                                                             specificities)
                                                                                        Students are  on their own to formulate the most effective
                                                                                    essay structure for their topic chosen. Students must
                                                                                    draw upon our textbook material and also from a minimum of
                                                                                    five other sources. Proper citations expected and required.
                                                                                     (15 PAGES (double space) NOT INCLUDING
                                                                                     REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY)
                                                                                  
Group Project                                                     35%  - (Student groups have a choice of presenting in front of
Due: In class Monday April 2, 2012                              the class. The mark breakdown for those presenting in Email submission only                                                 front of the class will be 10% individual style and 25%
                               .                                                         group work. (group report). Groups choosing to not
                                                                                        present in front of the class will have their project
                                                                                        marked /35%. Groups must notify the Professor of
                                                                                        intent to present or not to present not later than 2nd
                                                                                        week of class. These presentations will occur during
                                                                                        the last one and/or two classes. Group Projects will not
                                                                                        be returned to students although students are welcome
                                                                                        to view them in Professor's office. Please only email. Print
                                                                                        copies not accepted. Project Length – As  it is a major
                                                                                        project, students normally require 25 +  pages, (double
                                                                                         space) not including appendages and  bibliography)
                                                                        100%  

* Groups will be formed during the first or second class. Groups will ideally consist of four individuals and individual group members are required to contribute equitably, within the group. If in the beginning phases of group work, it is evident that timetables of group members cannot match for required group work sessions, please find a new group, accordingly which better matches meeting and/or presentation preparation timetables. However, if group members choose to join a group and contribute minimalistically, the remainder of the group can (politely) fire offending members, even the day before the project is due, leaving the non contributing student with a "dilemma"

Late papers will be marked as 0.

The e- posting of notes and powerpoint slides is not a requirement of the Professor to fulfil. Should the Professor wish to extend the courtesy of posting such information, he will inform the student, verbally of such intent.
 

1. Web based INDIVIDUAL assignment: This one "TWO PAGE" double space 12 font assignment may involve finding an ultra innovative situation and/or product and/or service, unique to Europe. The student will indicate its significance, from either an international trade stance, a political, social, economic, cultural and/or legal point of view relating to Europe and how this may leave an imprint on the world beyond Europe. Due in class on Monday January 23rd, 2012 or earlier in my mailbox (print copy only), for example. Hard copies only (no e-copies). Late papers not accepted. Opinions are welcome although sourcing of material is required. Web sites are acceptable sources of information.
    
2. Tests 1 & 2 will consist of  Multiple choice, and/or True and False and/or essay questions. Test 1 will cover the initial part of the course. Chapters of test coverage are indicated below in the course outline component. 
    
3. Group Essay /10 are learning exercises that are designed to help students "navigate" the intricacies of the European Union. Email submission only (print copies NOT accepted) due Monday February 6, 2012. Late submissions not accepted. The student group must choose one of the following topics, and work with the above section descriptors of expectations.
• The CAP (Common Agriculture Policy)
• The Marshall Plan was truly altruistic in its intent to aid Europe in the Post WWII era. Agree or Refute.
• Explain the significance of the Maastricht Treaty
• Explain Britain's longstanding animosity towards the EU

As for the group essay submission/10, the Professor will let the student group choose its own format.
 

4. Group Project – European Market Feasibility Study: Students will be required to develop a feasibility analysis of expanding a service or product from a selected industry (to be discussed by group with Professor) to one European country. The market feasibility (export)  project is a group endeavour. Student groups will: evaluate the innovative characteristics of the service (product); analyse STEP constraints (Social Technological Economic Political); identify business opportunities and threats in the market place; develop an export proposal; and, provide final recommendation to a potential client as to how to get that product into the destination market. The final report will provide students with the opportunity to mesh course content with project work. I have indicated "product" although the Professor is not averse to a service.  Email submission only – Print copies NOT accepted.

Due on or before Monday April 2, 2012.
Late submissions are not accepted.

For this MAJOR (/35) group project, each group will be required to a one (or two) line (approximately) indication of major topic not later than Monday, Feb 27, 2012. Prof will promptly respond with approval or comments.

The following is an indicator of the lecture topic and seminar activity for the coming semester. Please note that the Professor may alter some of the lecture topics and or sequence of lecture topics if dynamic current events might make it interesting for focus, at that point in time. These possible changes may or may not be verbally announced by the Professor in advance of them happening. Some material might require more than one week, while other material might require less than one week. The below date indicators are realistic approximations, subject to change.

Students are responsible to cover this material, even in the (unlikely) event that one or two chapters indicated below - are not physically covered in class. Related info would still appear on the test(s).

Students are required to be current on their readings and fully prepared for each class.

Guest Speakers and/or videos will be present if as and when relevant and/or possible to acquire.

PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME TOPICS TAKE LESS THAN THREE HOURS 

Late submissions are not accepted and are marked as a 0 .

Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection

Accordingly, instructors may decide to use originality checking services, such as Turnitin.com, to ensure that submitted work conforms with the university's Academic Misconduct policy.  Academic Misconduct policy.  Students will be notified of such a requirement in advance by the instructor. More information on Academic Misconduct is included below in this outline.  

Important University of Guelph-Humber Policies

Academic Integrity / Academic Honesty

At the University of Guelph-Humber, students, faculty and staff are establishing the foundations of a new tradition in education.  As individuals within this community, we all benefit when we strive for the highest achievable standards of excellence in our academic and applied work.  In reflection, all members of the University have the obligation to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty. It is the responsibility of members of faculty and staff to follow acceptable standards of academic conduct and to foster it in others, and of students to be mindful of and abide by such standards.

The University takes a serious view of academic misconduct and will penalize students, faculty and staff who are found guilty of offences associated with academic dishonesty, misrepresentation of personal performance, restrictions of equal opportunities for access to scholarly resources, and damage to the integrity of scholarly exchanges.

University of Guelph-Humber students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with and abiding by the University’s policy on student academic misconduct regardless of their location of study. Faculty, staff and students have the responsibility to create an environment that discourages misconduct. Students are encouraged to review the policy at: http://www.guelphhumber.ca/404.aspx

Grading Procedures

Feedback to students on work completed or in progress is an integral part of teaching and learning in that it allows students to measure their understanding of material and their progress toward achieving learning objectives.  Feedback often goes beyond grading and should be an indication of the standard a student has achieved and should to include comments on the particular strengths and weaknesses of a student’s performance.  While the nature and frequency of such feedback will vary with the course, the University of Guelph-Humber is committed to providing students with appropriate and timely feedback on their work.  Faculty members are urged to provide meaningful feedback (approximately 20% of the total course evaluation is the standard), prior to the 40^th class day. This is the last day that students are permitted to drop classes without incurring any academic penalties.

Missed Final Exams / Deferred Privileges

When students do not write a required final examination, complete a final assignment, or complete a work term report prior to the last class date, they must request Academic Consideration to be considered for a deferred privilege.  When granted, a deferred privilege allows a student the opportunity to complete the final course requirements after the end of the semester, but during established timelines.

Please note that faculty members do not grant deferred privileges.  Faculty can only grant academic consideration for work that is due during the semester and cannot grant extensions beyond their deadline for submission of final grades.

The nature of the deferred privilege may take the form of either a deferred condition or a deferred examination.  The Admissions and Academic Review Sub-Committee grants deferred privileges on the basis of medical, psychological or compassionate consideration. Please see your Admission and Program advisor for details.

Accommodation Procedures

Where appropriate, students will inform individual instructors of their disabilities and academic accommodations required, by distributing the "SSD Memo to Faculty".

When students require test accommodations, they will:

·         Remind instructors at least one week in advance of each test or as soon as possible, that they require test accommodations

·         Book the test date and time in the SSD office or make the appropriate arrangements to write in the Test Centre at least one week in advance of each test, or as soon as possible.

Students with special needs are accommodated through Humber ITAL Services for Students with Disabilities.  http://studentservices.humberc.on.ca/ssd/pnp/fac_resp.htm
Students are encouraged to review the policy in the 2008-2009 Academic Calendar at: http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/guelphhumber/current/c07/c07-amisconduct.shtml

It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the University’s policies and Academic Regulations.  These policies can be found at: http://www.guelphhumber.ca/cstudents/policies/index.shtml