UT Dallas Syllabus for ims6302.0g1.10f taught by George Barnes (gbarnes)

 

Course Syllabus IMS 6302.0G1  – Legal Aspects of International Business Transactions School of Management The University of Texas at Dallas Requirements  |  Access Access & N Navigation avigation  | Communications Communications  | Resources Resources  | | Course Info  Info | Tech Requirements  Assessments  |  Academic  Assessments Academic Calendar  | Scholastic Honesty  Honesty | Course Evaluation  Evaluation | UTD Policies Policies  |

Course Information Course

Course Number/Section Course Title Term and Dates

IMS 6302.0G1 Legal Aspects of International Business Transactions Fall 2010: August 19-December 6

Professor Contact Information Professor George Barnes Office Phone 972-883-2783 [email protected]  Email Address [email protected]  (or use eLearning email) Office Location SM 2.232 Online Office Hours available on request Monday or Wednesday 1-3pm Central time Other Information email to make appointments About the Instructor George Barnes is Senior Lecturer, International Management Studies, and Director, Global MBA Online program. Other courses include International Marketing in the online MBA program, and Export Market Development and International Business for undergraduates. While at UTD, he has been on loan to the Dallas International Trade Resource Center as education director (early 1990s), and in 1995 co-founded the School of Management’s first distance education effort drawing on the Master of Arts degree in international management studies. Prior to coming to UTD in 1987, he spent ten years with Mobil Oil in international planning, and 6 years in the Middle East with Citibank in senior management positions and

also as director of a attraction training center for commercial officers. His consulting involved investment for a U.S. state and abanking European city, company markethas entry strategies, and cross-cultural training for expatriates going to and from the USA. Affiliations Affiliati ons include the North American Small Business International Trade Educators and the North Texas District District Export Council. Council. He holds a Master’s degree from the Fletcher School Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University. Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions IMS 6204 Global Business, or consent of instructor Course Description  Legal environment and framework affecting international business transactions: public law institutions; contracts affecting the movement of goods and services across borders; nonestablishment forms of business including agency/distributor agreements, licensing, and

contract manufacturing; foreign direct investment (FDI); documentary credits and trade

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Page 1

 

finance transactions; intellectual property protection and unauthorized channels of distribution; contract disputes and dispute resolution; and corporate conduct and standards. Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes -become familiar with legal principles and public law institutions that affect international business transactions -analyze international business transactions from a legal perspective -demonstrate ability to solve problems involving international business transactions -identify the business implications of intellectual property protection, dispute resolution and corporate social responsibility responsibility Required Textbooks and Materials  Required Text International Business Transactions : Problems, cases, and materials, Daniel C. K. Chow & Thomas J. Schoenbaum (Aspen Publishers, 2005)

Required Materials Excerpt from Multinational Business Finance, Eiteman/Stonehill/Moffett (at course website) Suggested Course Materials Supplemental readings at course website, including:

UCP600 Corporateexcerpts Social Responsibility (Economist survey) Textbooks and some other bookstore materials can be ordered online through  through  Off-Campus Books  or the  Books the UTD Bookstore. Bookstore. They are also available in stock at both bookstores. Used copies of textbook are perfectly acceptable. Course Policies Make-up exam or late assignment submission One week’s advance notice for consideration   Extra Credit See assignment in Module 6 (and due date in Academic Calendar) Late Work Not accepted but instructor will consider any special circumstances Class Participation Students are required to login regularly to the online course site. The instructor will use the tracking feature in eLearning to monitor student activity. Students are also required to participate in class activities such as discussion boards and individual problem analyses, one web-conference session, and group case analyses.

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Page 2

 

Virtual Classroom Citizenship The same guidelines that apply to traditional classes should be observed in the virtual classroom environment. Please use proper netiquette when interacting with class members and the professor. Policy on Server Unavailability or Other Technical Difficulties The university commits to provide a reliable online course system to all users. However, in the event of any unexpected server outage or any unusual technical difficulty which prevents students from completing a time sensitive assessment activity, the instructor will extend the time windows and provide an appropriate accommodation based on the situation. Students should report any problems to the instructor and also contact the UTD eLearning Help Desk: http://www.utdallas.edu/elearninghelp , 1-866-588-3192. The instructor and the UTD eLearning Help Desk will work with the student to resolve any issues at the earliest possible time.

Top Top  

Technical Requirements In addition to a confident level of computer and Internet literacy, certain minimum technical requirement must be met to enable a successful learning experience. Please review the important  technical requirements and the web browser configuration information. important information .  Top  Top 

Course Access and Navigation This course was developed using a web course tool called eLearning. It is to be delivered entirely online. Students will use their UTD NetID account to login to the course at: http://elearning.utdallas.edu . Please see more details on  on course access and navigation information..  information To get started with an eLearning course, please see the  the Getting Started: Student eLearning Orientation..  Orientation UTD provides eLearning technical support 24 hoursassistance a day/7 days a week. The services include a toll free telephone number for immediate (1-866-588-3192), email request service, and an online chat service. The UTD user community can also access the support resources such as self-help resources and a Knowledge Base. Please use this link to access the UTD eLearning Support Center:  Center:  http://www.utdallas.edu/elearninghelp .  Top  Top 

Communications This eLearning course has built-in communication tools which will be used for interaction and communication. Some external communication tools such as regular email and a web conferencing tool may also be used during the semester. Please see more details about communication tool information. information. 

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Page 3

 

 Another communication communication tool available available to to students students is live voice voice chat in the the 3D virtual virtual world of Second Life. Instructions for accessing the UTD SOM Island in Second Life can be found at http://som.utdallas.edu/somResources/eLearning/faculty/secondLife.php .  Interaction with Instructor: The instructor will communicate with students mainly using the  Announcements  Announ cements and and Discussions Discussions tools. Students Students may use Questions for the professor   (general) or may send personal concerns or questions to the instructor using the course Email tool. The instructor will reply to student emails or Discussion board messages within 3 working days under normal circumstances. Top  Top 

Student Resources The following university resources are available to students: UTD Distance Learning:  http://www.utdallas.edu/oee/distance/students/cstudents.htm   McDermott Library: Distance Learners (UTD students who live outside the boundaries of Collin, Dallas, Denton, Rockwall , or  Tarrant counties) will need a UTD-ID number to access all of the library’s electronic resources (reserves, journal articles, ebooks, interlibrary loan) from

off campus. For UTD students living within those counties who are taking online courses, a Comet Card is required to check out materials at the McDermott Library. For more information on library resources go to  to  http://www.utdallas.edu/library/distlearn/disted.htm .  Top   Top

Student Assessments Grading Information

Weights Discussion topics (choose 2) Individual assignments (choose 2) Problem Exams: analysis (choose 3 of 4) #1 #2 Total

Individual Individual

10% 10%

Group Individual

30% 20% 30% 100%

Grading criteria (subject to change) Scaled Score Letter Equivalent 89+ A 80-88.9 B 70-79.9 C Less than 70 F

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Page 4

 

 Accessing Grades Students can check their grades by clicking “My Grades” und er Course Tools after the grade for each assessment task is released. Group selection Instructor will use a group sign-up sheet to form groups. Please see the Group Sign-Up Sheet icon on the course Home page. Students are asked to sign up for a group by 11:55pm the first Sunday of the course which starts on a Thursday. Students who haven’t joined a group by the due date will be assigned to a group by the instructor. To get information about other students with whom you may want to work, see Personal Statements in the Discussions area.

 A private discussion area area will be set up on on the discussion discussion board board for group group communications. communications.  A group chat room can also be be created created for each each group to use. A web conference conference system system is available for use. Groups can schedule a live web conference for team work. Please see information for instructions on making a reservation and other web communication tool information  conference information. Meeting spaces have also been set up on the UTD SOM Island in the 3D virtual world of Second Life. Instructions for accessing the island can be found at http://som.utdallas.edu/somResources/eLearning/faculty/secondLife.php .  Assignments

Group Assignments Each group should select three of the four problem assignments listed below, and submit analysis problem-by-problem, or question-by-question (as applicable) in Assignment area of eLearning course site. Each assignment is 10% of course grade. Module 4: Conforming goods problem 3-13, questions (1) through (4) Module 7: Patent license problems 5-6, 5-7 and 5-9 Module 9: FDI in the EU problems 6-8, 6-9 and 6-11 Module 11: Choice of forum problem 8-1, questions (1) through (4) Due dates for group assignments are 11:55pm, Central time, on the Wednesday after conclusion of the applicable module week. A module-week will be Monday-Sunday. Peer evaluation Each group member will complete a confidential peer evaluation following the group ’s final assignment See Assignments area for the form. Individual grades may be increased orsubmission. decreased based on the peer evaluation feedback. Individual assignments Students Student s will select 2 out of 4 individual assignments, keyed to problems from the case book. Key on applicable Problem in Assignment area of the course. For grading convenience, it is strongly recommended that you paste your answer into the assignment box and not attach a file. Sample answers to the individual assignment problems will be revealed in the applicable module at the conclusion of the assignment week to assist all students understand the topic. Each individual assignment is 5% of course grade. Module 1 – What law should apply? (problem 1-7 or 1-8) Module 3 – CIF transaction (problem 2-2) Module 4 – CISG (problem 3-11) Module 7 – Distributor agreement (problem 5-3)

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Page 5

 

Optional bonus assignment Module 6: Yoko Beach Shop  – submit solutions on date shown in Academic Calendar to earn the following bonus points on final exam: -first correct solution = 1 point -second correct solution = 2 points -third correct solution = 2 points (for a maximum of 5 points, or fewer if bonus points make final exam grade exceed 100). Assignment submission instructions  Submit assignments by using the Assignments tool on the course site. Please see the  Assignments  Assignmen ts link on the the course menu or see see the icon on the designate designated d page. Click each assignment name link and follow the on-screen instructions to upload and submit your file(s). Please refer to the Help menu for more information on using this tool. Please note: each assignment link will be deactivated after the assignment due time. After your submission is graded, click each assignment’s “Graded” tab to check the results and feedback.

For the group assignments, one group member will submit the assignment for the group and all group members will be able to view the results and feedback once the assignment has been graded. Participation/Discussions

Personal statement Post a brief personal statement during the first three days of the course. Include: name, degree program, prospective graduation month/year, your city/state or city/country, employer and position (if applicable) or most recent working experience (if any). Other students can review personal statements to get acquainted with classmates and to help them decide group member preferences. Instructor will use the personal statements to make group assignments should any students not participate in self-selection. Discussions Students will select 2 out of 4 discussion topics. The topics in the Discussion area of the Students course permit each student to see each other student’s post, an d this provides an opportunity for a dynamic interchange. As many as 5required points will awarded by instructor forone each “discussion”  (maximum 10 points for the 2). be Each topic will be open for week. Guidance about each discussion topic will be the subject of the first posting by the Instructor in the topic’s discussion area, and is often previewed in the applicable Module’s audio lecture.   One of the following topics will be open at specific times during the semester (see Academic Calendar in syllabus for availability period): Discussion topics Module 5 – L/C (based on “Ship Sinks” mini-case in module) Module 8 – Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) Module 10 – Gray market Module 12 – FCPA  After the required discussions discussions postings, postings, students students may continue continue to post post to discussion discussion topics; topics; however, the instructor will not consider the additional contributions for grading purposes.

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Page 6

 

Business experiences Use this area of Discussions if you would like to share with the class a company or personal experience related to any of the IBT topics covered by this course. Optional and no credit. Current events Legal aspects of IBTs are dynamic and ongoing. Use this Discussion area if you would like to post a current event or update about a topic and/or a company situation included in the lectures that occurs during the time frame of this course. Optional and no credit. Online Self-Assessment Quizzes

Non-credit self-assessment self-asses sment quizzes are available for each module. Quizzes are available in the respective module or by clicking on Assessments link. Students may take the quizzes to assess learning and to prepare for multiple choice questions on the exams. Each quiz is timed and may be taken only once. After the last question, click “Submit,” and then click “View Attempt” to see quiz results.   Online Exams

Two exams will be administered structured as multiple choice questions and essays similar to theadministered individual case bookaproblems. Sample essays available for practice. The exams will be during two-day window and will beare timed as follows: -exam #1 80 minutes (Module 1- 6) -exam #2 110 minutes (Module 7 – 12) Exams can be accessed by clicking the Assessments link in course menu, or see exam icon on designated page. Please read the on-screen instructions carefully before you click “Begin  Assessment” . After each exam is graded and released, you may go back to the Assessments page and click “View All Submissions” to review your exam results. Top Top  

Academic Calendar Week/dates

Module/topic

0 8/19-22

Course familiarization familiari zation

1 8/23-29

1 – International business transactions

1

2 8/30-9/5

2 – Public law institutions 3 – International sale of goods 4 – Sales contract 5 – Letters of credit

1&2

3 9/6-9/12 4 9/13-19 5 9/20-26

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Chap(*)

2 3 4

Individual -assignment -discussion Personal statement Prob 1-7 or 1-8

Prob 2-2 CIF transaction Prob 3-11 CISG Discussion: Ship Sinks

Group assignment

Due date

Select groups

8/22 9/5

9/12 Prob 3-13 (1-4)

Page 7

9/22 9/26

 

6 9/27-10/3 7 10/8-9 8 10/11-17

6 – Financial transactions Exam #1: modules 1-6 7 – Non-establishment forms of business

(*) 1-4 5

9 10/18-25

8 – Foreign direct

6

10 10/26-31

investment 9 – EU: FDI & competition issues 10 – Intellectual property rights 11 – Dispute resolution Guest participation participati on via webconference

6

11 11/1-7 12 11/8-14 13 11/15-21

14 11/22-24

11/25-28 15 11/29-12/4 12/5-6

6 – Financial transactions

7

Yoko Beach Shop (optional) Prob 5-3 distributor agreement Discussion: BITs

11/24

Prob 5-6, 5-7, 5-9

10/20

Prob 6-8, 6-9, 6-11

11/3

Discussion: gray market

8 3, 4, 5 & 10,11

11/7 Prob 8-1 (1-4) Case study prep for webconference

(*)

Yoko Beach Shop due (optional)

6&9

Discussion: FCPA

11/24

Thanksgiving vacation 12 – Corporate social responsibility Exam #2: modules 7-12

5-9

(*) see each Module page on the course site for actual pages to read/skim, and/or supplemental reading Top  Top 

Scholastic Honesty The University has policies and discipline procedures regarding scholastic dishonesty. Detailed information is available on the  the UTD Judicial Affairs  Affairs web page. All students are expected to University maintain arules high on level of responsibility withare respect to to academic honesty. Students who violate scholastic dishonesty subject disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the  integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. Top  Top 

Course Evaluation  As required required by UTD academic regulations, regulations, every student student must complete complete an evaluation for each enrolled course at the end of the semester. An online instructional assessment form will be made available for your confidential use. Please look for the course evaluation link on the course Homepage towards the end of the course. Top  Top 

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

11/17

Page 8

 

University Policies Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility responsibili ty of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide , which is provided to all registered students each academic year. The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures . Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).  A student student at the university neither loses loses the rights rights nor escapes escapes the responsibilitie responsibilities s of citizenship. citizenshi p. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct. Academic Integrity 

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying falsifyi ng academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective. Email Use 

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff andsecurity studentsand through electronic mail.individual At the same raises some issues concerning the identity of each in antime, emailemail exchange.

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Page 9

 

The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts. Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog.  Administration  Administrat ion procedures procedures must be followed. followed. It is the the student's student's responsibility responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled. Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and  Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures .

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations. Incomplete Grade Policy 

 As per university university policy, policy, incomplete incomplete grades grades will be granted granted only for work unavoidab unavoidably ly missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Page 10

 

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Disabilit y Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The contact informatio information n for the Office The University of Texas at Dallas, SU of 22Disability Services is: PO Box 830688 Richardson, Texas 75083-0688 (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY) Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discriminat discrimination ion on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally Occasionall y an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance. It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Disabili ty Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours. Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated. The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment. If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Page 11

 

Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related risk- related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address given below.  Additionall information  Additiona information is available available from the office of the the school school dean. (http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm ) 

Thes e des des criptions cr iptions and timelines timelines are s ubject to to chang e at at tthe he dis cr et etion ion of the Professor. Top  Top 

 IMS 6302.0G1 Course Syllabus

Page 12