Overview
This course examines the cultural, economic, political, and institutional forces shaping international trade and business relationships. Students develop foundational knowledge of comparative advantage, trade specialization, tariffs, quotas, trade agreements, exchange rates, logistics, global value chains, multinational enterprises, and cross-border market entry.
Through comparative cases from multiple regions and industries, students analyze culture as a source of meaning, identity, communication styles, values, norms, and consumer expectations without relying on simplistic national stereotypes. The course also addresses cross-cultural negotiation, localization, ethical sourcing, labor standards, sustainability, historical context, and unequal access to the gains from globalization.
Students interpret basic trade data, explain why countries and firms trade, evaluate risks and opportunities in cross-border transactions, and develop culturally responsive recommendations for introducing a product or service into a foreign market.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain foundational concepts of international trade, specialization, exchange rates, and global business activity.
- Interpret basic trade and market data to identify patterns, opportunities, and constraints affecting international commerce.
- Analyze cultural, political, institutional, and historical factors in comparative global business cases.
- Compare foreign market-entry strategies and justify recommendations using relevant commercial and contextual evidence.
- Evaluate the social, environmental, labor, and distributional consequences of globalization and international business decisions.
- Demonstrate culturally responsive communication and negotiation practices across differing business contexts.
- Design a preliminary plan for introducing a product or service into a foreign market, incorporating market conditions, operational risks, ethical considerations, and localization requirements.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz | Global trade concepts and data interpretation | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Comparative cultural and trade case analysis | 20.00% |
| Test | Cross-cultural negotiation exercise | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | Foreign market entry recommendation | 25.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 30.00% |
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
