BA-250 Global Business Management
Spring 2026 - Hybrid Format (Alternating Weeks)
Textbook: Global Business Today, 13th Edition (2024 Release) by Charles W.L. Hill
Instructor: Dr. Monika Cooper, DBA | Saint Vincent College
Meeting: Thursday Evenings, 6:30-9:00 PM | Location: Alfred Hall (Room TBD)
| Week | Date | Format | Topic/Chapter | Assignment Due | Points | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 12 | In-Person | Ch 1: Globalization | None (Review syllabus) | — | Foundation for global business |
| 2 | Jan 19 | Online | Ch 1 Deep Dive | Case Study: "How the iPhone is Made" (Q 1-5) | 10 | Apply globalization concepts |
| 3 | Jan 26 | In-Person | Ch 2: Political, Economic & Legal Systems | Discussion Board (Week 2) | 5 | Government systems globally |
| 4 | Feb 2 | Online | Ch 2 Analysis | Political Systems Comparison (2 pages) | 10 | Compare countries' systems |
| 5 | Feb 9 | In-Person | Ch 4: Differences in Culture | None | — | Cross-cultural competencies |
| 6 | Feb 16 | Online | Midterm Review | Ch 4 Case Study + Study Questions | 10 | Prepare for midterm |
| 7 | Feb 23 | In-Person | MIDTERM EXAM | Midterm Exam (Chs 1, 2, 4) | 100 | Assessment of foundations |
| — | Mar 2 | Spring Break | No Class | None | — | University break |
| 8 | Mar 9 | In-Person | Ch 5: Ethics, CSR & Sustainability | None | — | ESG, climate regulations |
| 9 | Mar 16 | Online | Ethics Application | Ethics Case Analysis (2-3 pages) | 15 | Analyze ethical dilemmas |
| 10 | Mar 23 | In-Person | Ch 7: Government Policy & Trade | Discussion Board (Week 9) | 5 | Tariffs, protectionism, CHIPS |
| 11 | Mar 30 | Online | Trade Analysis | Trade Policy Brief (2-3 pages) | 15 | Analyze US trade policy |
| — | Apr 6 | Easter Break | No Class | None | — | University break |
| 12 | Apr 13 | In-Person | Ch 8: Foreign Direct Investment | None | — | Reshoring, friend-shoring |
| 13 | Apr 20 | Online | FDI Analysis | Ch 8 Case Study | 10 | Apply FDI concepts |
| 14 | Apr 27 | In-Person | Ch 12: Strategy + Leadership Communication Module | Read: Cooper "From Words to Wins" + CEO speech + NAFRA Coding (in-class) | 20 | Strategy + NAFRA coding |
| 15 | May 1 | Online | Ch 15 & 16: Supply Chain + Marketing/Analytics | Personal Strategic Narrative (15 pts) + Discussion Board (5 pts) | 20 | Final content + applications |
| Finals | May 4-7 | Finals Week | FINAL EXAM | Cumulative Final Exam | 200 | All chapters + module |
Leadership Communication Module (Weeks 14-15)
Week 14 (Apr 27 - In-Person): Introduction to NAFRA framework. Live coding demonstration where students learn to identify narrative types and functions. In-class assignment: Students complete NAFRA coding of CEO speech (20 points).
Week 15 (May 1 - Online): Students read Ch 15 & 16. Submit personal strategic narrative (15 points) using NAFRA principles and complete discussion board (5 points).
This module integrates Dr. Cooper's published research on how leadership storytelling impacts organizational performance.
Grading Breakdown
- Final Exam: 200 points
- Midterm Exam: 100 points
- NAFRA Coding Assignment: 20 points
- Personal Strategic Narrative: 15 points
- Ethics Case Analysis: 15 points
- Trade Policy Brief: 15 points
- Political Systems Comparison: 10 points
- Case Studies/Homework (5 × 10): 50 points
- Discussion Boards (4 × 5): 20 points
- Attendance: 50 points
- Participation: 50 points
TOTAL: 545 points
Chapters Covered
- Chapter 1: Globalization
- Chapter 2: Political, Economic & Legal Systems
- Chapter 4: Differences in Culture
- Chapter 5: Ethics, CSR, & Sustainability
- Chapter 7: Government Policy & Trade
- Chapter 8: Foreign Direct Investment
- Chapter 12: Strategy of Intl Business
- Chapter 15: Global Supply Chain
- Chapter 16: Marketing & Analytics
PLUS: Leadership Communication Module
Key Dates
- First Day: Jan 12, 2026
- Last day to add: Jan 19
- Last day to drop: Jan 26
- Midterm: Feb 23, 2026
- Spring Break: Feb 28-Mar 8
- Easter Break: Apr 2-6
- Last class: May 1, 2026
- Final Exam: May 4-7, 2026
NAFRA Assignment Details
Completed in-class (Week 14):
- CEO speech with NAFRA codes marked
- Table of Narrative Types & Functions with examples
- 1-page reflection on leader's strategies
Grading (20 pts total):
- Narrative Types (8 pts)
- Narrative Functions (8 pts)
- Quality of examples (2 pts)
- Reflection insight (2 pts)
This schedule reflects current global business realities including US-China relations, supply chain resilience, ESG priorities, and geopolitical investment trends as of September 2025.
Case Study: Jensen Huang (NVIDIA CEO)
Leadership Communication & Organizational Performance Analysis
Jensen Huang - 2023 Interviews & Communications:
- March 2023 GTC Keynote (AI transformation narrative) - Watch Video
- Q4 FY2023 Earnings Call (February 2023, discussing AI surge) - Read Transcript
Performance Data - Dramatic Approximation:
FY 2023 (ended January 2023):
- Revenue: ~$27 billion
- Profit: ~$4.4 billion
FY 2024 (ended January 2024):
- Revenue: ~$61 billion (125% increase)
- Profit: ~$30 billion (580% increase)
Analysis Focus: Examine the relationship between Jensen Huang's narrative strategies in 2023 and NVIDIA's extraordinary performance outcomes in 2024.
Financial Data Sources:
Note: Students will receive the NAFRA coding framework and instructions in class. The CEO speech/interview will be the primary material for analysis.
NAFRA Concept
Tool to Practice download and open in web browser. 