Area Studies (5cr)

Objectives (course unit)

Business relationships between various countries and regions are vital for the mutual benefits of the regions. With a view to improve business expertise across the national boundary, the course covers various aspects of understanding a particular culture and other social dynamics of the area. In addition, the course will focus to theoretical background and practical information relevant for business. Further more, steps will be taken to deal with the various business context and the dynamic forces which directly and indirectly influence the way different actors do business.

After completing of the course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate familiarity with the area of study and know the main features of the area.
Have better understanding of the economy, history and institution of the particular area.
Negotiate fruitfully with the business counterparts
Produce better business projects related to the area studied.
Identify right sector for trade and investment

Content (course unit)

What are the main features of a particular country or area?
How culture impacts management and negotiation?
What kind of economic change process is going on in the region?
What are the potential trade and investment sectors
How regional agreements and institutions are promoting trade and investment?
What are the main business risks and how to minimize them?

Prerequisites (course unit)

-1st year BBA studies

Location and time

To be announced

Exam schedules

None

Assessment methods and criteria

Evaluation in preparation, performed skills and working in groups.
The course evaluation is divided at the following way:
- Participation in and personal preparation for the scheduled classroom activities.
- Personal skills - performed in a classroom.
- Working in groups - performed partially in a classroom, and in groups outside classroom.
Criteria for evaluation are based on Joint Assessment Framework at TAMK:
- Knowing: process management, critical expertise; reflection skills, working in a multicultural team
- Acting: learning process (use of given guidance), applying substance know-how to practice, listening and communication skills, decision-making and problem-solving skills, team working skills, communication skills, project work skills.
- Being: self-assessment, peer-assessment, multidisciplinary collaboration.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lectures, active class participation, independent research, group research. tutorials, presentation, research paper and possible visits related to the topic.

Learning materials

To be announced

Student workload

Participants must attend lecturers and tutorials. Group presentation planning and implementation.
The course is 5 credits (~135 hours), the contact teaching days' hours (~18 hours) are limited, there are a quite lot works to do in students’ groups (grouping will be made twice during the course).

Content scheduling

Lectures, active class participation, independent research, group research, tutorials, presentation, research paper.
Course modules:
- Increasing an awareness of business opportunities based on cultural differences.
- Study of success factors for chosen business case in known market area.
- Research of opportunities for the business case to move it into a new market area.
- A learning between groups based on challenges in studies and research.

Completion alternatives

None

Practical training and working life cooperation

Participants are encouraged to plan projects, which are closely linked to real life business.

International connections

Course has participants from all over the world and all study groups are international. The course has often international quest lecturer. A personal international connection into the area of study and sharing the knowledge will be seen positively.

Further information

The group work is performed according to instructions in lectures, and therefore the lectures are mandatory.
Some adjustment can be made but only if the whole class will agree and lecturer schedule can fit in.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Levels 1-2 - Situation-specific, (imitative) and limited professional skills
Ability to identify and name some socio-cultural, economic, political and legal features of a particular country or area.
Ability to search for some key success factors of known business case and draw a plan of business opportunity based on cultural differences and environmental issues in a new market area with guidance.
Ability to follow the given process of area study.
Ability to be flexible group member, managing the project at responsible manner, ability to create and perform a presentation of the study, ability to give and receive feedback, ability to take responsibility for his/her own performance.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Levels 3-4 - Structured, evaluative and applied professional skills
Ability to identify, analyze and explain the main socio-cultural, economic, political and legal features of a particular country or area.
Ability to search for recognized key success factors of known business case and draw a plan/plans of business opportunity based on cultural differences, environmental issues and creative thinking in a new market area.
Ability to follow the given process of area study without being limited to that.
Ability of being capable to choose the method of area study from different options and justify the choice.
Ability to be creative, professional, flexible and interactive group member.
Ability to manage the project at responsible and professional manner, ability to create and perform a trustworthy presentation of the study, ability to give a constructive feedback actively and ability to receive feedback from others, ability to look at and evaluate things from both his/her own and groups' point of view.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Level 5 - Extensive, creative and developing professional skills
Ability to identify, analyze and explain the wide range socio-cultural, economic, political and legal features of a particular country or area.
Ability to search for several recognized key success factors of known business case by using various methods, ability to draw one or several alternative plans of business opportunity based on cultural differences, environmental issues, creative thinking and positioning in a new market area.
Ability to follow the given process of area study without being limited to that.
Ability of being capable to choose the method of area study from different options, justify the choice and try new ways of operating.
Ability to use and adapt multiply ways of working and motivate others to follow.
Ability to be creative, professional, flexible, interactive and constructive group member and/or team leader, managing the project committed at responsible and professional manner.
Ability to create and perform a trustworthy presentation of the study, ability to analyze and predict his/her own and groups' performance, ability to give a constructive feedback actively and ability to receive feedback from others, ability to use opinions systematically as a tool for personal and community's professional growth.