BA-250 Weekly Teaching System
Saint Vincent College • McKenna School of Business
Instructor: Dr. Monika Cooper • Format: Hybrid (In-person + Online)
Week-by-Week Teaching Autopilot
Week 1 – Ch. 1 Globalization (In-Person)
In-person
Greet students as they enter. Learn names if possible; ask a few what they’re studying and why they chose the class.
“Welcome to BA-250 Global Business Management. This course is about how the world actually works when companies cross borders – not just theory, but real decisions.”
Ask students to briefly share examples of globalization:
- A product they use that’s made in another country
- A global event that affected them (prices, shortages, news)
“Turn to one person near you. In two minutes, decide on one example of globalization you’ve seen in your own life. It can be a product, a price change, or news that affected you.”
Walk through: syllabus, grading, hybrid rhythm, and your teaching style.
“Every in-person class follows the same rhythm: warm-up, three big ideas, a real case or activity, and a clear ‘what’s next.’ Online weeks are for reading, writing, and discussion boards.”
Use the board or slide to list:
- Idea 1 Drivers of globalization (tech, trade, FDI)
- Idea 2 Global supply chains & interdependence (iPhone, AI chips)
- Idea 3 Winners, losers, and vulnerability to shocks
“The book gives you all the detail. My job is to show you why this matters for decisions, jobs, and strategy.”
Ask small groups to sketch the supply chain of a familiar product (iPhone, laptop, sneakers): where are components made, assembled, shipped?
“In groups of three, choose one everyday product. On paper, sketch where its key parts likely come from and where assembly happens. Don’t worry about being perfect—focus on global touchpoints.”
Ask 2–3 groups to share briefly. Then state your three main takeaways and write them on the board or slide.
“Here are the three ideas I want you to leave with tonight…”
Explain the Week 2 iPhone case assignment and where to find it online.
“Next week is online. You’ll read the ‘How the iPhone is Made’ case and answer Q1–5. Aim for clarity and logic, not length.”
Week 2 – Ch. 1 Deep Dive (Online)
Online
Week 3 – Ch. 2 Political, Economic & Legal Systems (In-Person)
In-person
Ask: “If you had to build a factory abroad, what country would you choose and why?” Students share in pairs, then 2–3 share out.
Organize the chapter into three simple lenses:
- Political system: democracy ↔ authoritarian
- Economic system: market ↔ command
- Legal system: common law ↔ civil/theocratic
“You don’t need to memorize every definition. You need to ask: how does this system affect investment risk, contracts, and policy shocks?”
Assign each group two countries (e.g., U.S. vs. China, Germany vs. India, Brazil vs. Vietnam). Ask them to decide: “Which is less risky for a long-term plant investment and why?”
“Use the three lenses: politics, economics, law. You’re not rating culture yet, just systems.”
Each group shares a 30–60 second summary. You highlight patterns (e.g., rule of law, expropriation risk, currency risk).
Two-page political system comparison, using the three lenses and a clear recommendation.
“Pretend you’re briefing an executive who has five minutes. Clear, structured, and decisive beats long.”
Week 4 – Ch. 2 Analysis (Online)
Online
Week 5 – Ch. 4 Culture (In-Person)
In-person
Ask students to describe a time when cultural differences caused confusion (work, travel, family, online).
Introduce Hofstede dimensions and show the country comparison tool on screen (no deep theory, just what’s useful).
Groups get a mock negotiation between two countries; they predict likely misunderstandings and propose adaptations.
Connect culture to midterm topics (Ch. 1, 2, 4) and tell students how the midterm will be structured.
Week 6 – Midterm Review (Online)
Online
Students complete: (1) a short culture case, (2) a review quiz or question set. You post a concise review sheet that highlights what will actually appear on the midterm.
Week 7 – Midterm Exam (In-Person)
Exam
Begin with 5–10 minutes of Q&A, then run the midterm. Close by briefly calming nerves and reminding them what’s coming after the break.
Week 8 – Ch. 5 Ethics, CSR & Sustainability (In-Person)
In-person
Each group gets a global supply chain ethics scenario; they must recommend a realistic course of action and defend it.
Week 9 – Ethics Application (Online)
Online
Students apply a simple ethics decision model: facts → stakeholders → options → trade-offs → recommendation. You grade on clarity, evidence, and realism.
Week 10 – Ch. 7 Government Policy & Trade (In-Person)
In-person
Week 11 – Trade Analysis (Online)
Online
Students write a 2–3 page policy brief: choose a trade policy, argue for or against, and support their position with data and stakeholder analysis.
Week 12 – Ch. 8 FDI (In-Person)
In-person
Warm-up: “Would you reshore this factory?” Then mini-lecture on FDI motives and risks. Activity: choose between two host countries for a new facility and justify the decision.
Week 13 – FDI Case (Online)
Online
Students complete the Ch. 8 case applying FDI concepts to a real or realistic firm. You give brief written feedback on how well they used the framework.
Week 14 – Ch. 12 Strategy + NAFRA Leadership Module (In-Person)
In-person
Play 2–3 minutes from the GTC keynote. Code narrative types and functions together.
Students code a new segment in pairs, then share and refine.
Week 15 – Ch. 15–16 Supply Chain & Marketing + Personal Narrative (Online)
Online
Students read Ch. 15–16 and submit their personal strategic narrative applying NAFRA (2–3 paragraphs) plus a short discussion post on how they see themselves operating in a global business environment.