International Business

Part of the Social Sciences Division

The Major in International Business combines work in several related disciplines with language study and a period of time abroad. It is designed to provide students with a knowledge of the basic principles and analytical tools of business and an understanding of the social, economic, and political environments in which organizations operate. This approach makes it possible for students to consider a range of career fields in the for-profit, not-for-profit, and public sectors. The major also provides students with a foundation for future graduate study.

Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved:

  1. Exercise creative and critical modes of inquiry that provide an understanding of people and organizations around the world that lead to demonstrable ability to:
         Assess organizational performance with respect to the needs of its various stakeholders
         Understand the complexities, challenges and opportunities posed by their economic, political, technological and social/cultural context.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively both orally and in writing
  3. Demonstrate the ability to plan and complete a long-term research project that incorporates management theories and concepts into an organizational and international application
  4. Demonstrate the ability to retrieve and interpret financial and economic data, the thoughtful analysis of that data, and a clear presentation of the results
  5. Demonstrate a global perspective of the relationship between business, management, and the society, and a profound awareness of an intercultural community
  6. To complete a study abroad program and reflect upon the challenges and knowledge gained from the experience

 The Major in International Business consists of 46 credit hours divided into two sequences of courses.

 All students take the first sequence which includes the following courses:

PLS212: International Politics (3 hrs.)
SOC211: Cultural Anthropology (3 hrs.)
SLS201: Contemporary Global Issues (3 hrs.)
ECN201: Principles of Economics (4 hrs.)
INB351-352: Senior Study (6 hrs.)
One course selected from the following list:
     REL212: World Religions (3 hrs.)
     HIS221: Europe and the World in the 20th Century (3 hrs.)
     HIS333: Studies in Asian History (3 hrs.)
     HIS334: Studies in Latin American History (3 hrs.)
     HIS335: Studies in African History (3 hrs.)

The second sequence of courses includes:
BUS201: Principles of Management (3 hrs.)
BUS215: Principles of Accounting (3 hrs.)
BUS329: International Business (3 hrs.)
BUS401: Strategic Management (3 hrs.)
ECN325: International Trade and Finance (3 hrs.)
BUS344: Principles of Finance (3 hrs.)
Or appropriate courses offered at an approved overseas institution.

All students must also complete two years of a foreign language (one year,normally two courses, beyond the 100-level general education requirement) or demonstrate sufficient foreign language proficiency. When English is a second language for the student in the major, he/she is exempt from the foreign language requirement and may be exempt from the overseas study requirement upon approval of the division chair.

The period of overseas study ideally will be at least a full semester at a foreign institution as described under Study Abroad in this catalog, and will typically take place during the spring semester of the junior year. The requirement for overseas study can also be met through a single period of study of at least six weeks at a foreign institution. Upon approval of the division chair, the overseas study requirement can be met through credit-bearing overseas internship or practicum equivalent in scope to at least six weeks of study at a foreign institution. Note that International Studies 201 is a prerequisite for all overseas coursework and study for which academic credit from Maryville College is to be awarded, and that courses taken during overseas study can substitute for major requirements with the permission of the international business coordinator.

Students majoring in International Business should plan carefully to allow for the required period of study abroad. Study abroad requires careful scheduling of on-campus coursework and anticipation of the likely additional costs related to travel. Study at foreign institutions is described under Study Abroad in this catalog.

Students majoring in International Business may not minor in Business and Organization Management.

Course descriptions for international business courses may be found under the Course Listings section  in this catalog.

Core Curriculum Requirements

Each student must satisfy the core requirements and requirements for individual programs of study.