International Business
Thomas J. Cossé, Associate Dean for International Business Programs
The International Business Concentration
International business issues are covered throughout the Robins School curriculum. However, some students wish to study international business in greater depth. For these students, the international business concentration is offered. Students concentrating in international business must complete the standard set of courses required of all Robins School students. These courses provide the foundation upon which the business program is built. International business students also must satisfy international knowledge and international experience requirements. A grade of C or better must be earned in each course used to meet international knowledge requirements.
International Knowledge Requirements
These requirements consist of international business knowledge and international cultural and social knowledge.
- IBUS 381 International Business Environment
- IBUS 411 International Business Strategy
- One course chosen from
- ACCT 315 International Accounting Issues
- FIN 462 International Financial Management
- One course chosen from
- MKT 325 International Marketing
- MGMT 333 International Management
- IBUS 390 International Business Issues
- One international economics course chosen from
- ECON 210 Comparative Economic Systems
- ECON 211 Economic Development in Asia, Africa and Latin America
- ECON 310 International Trade and Finance
Note: One course in international business knowledge from accounting, finance, marketing or management can apply to a second concentration.
- One course with an international focus from art history, philosophy, foreign literature, classics, music, or religion
- One unit with an international focus from anthropology, geography, history, international studies, political science, or sociology
International Experience Requirements
The international experience requirements consist of cultural experiences and a work experience.
- International Cultural Experience: Students concentrating in international business must complete two of three international cultural experiences:
- Successfully complete an approved university-level program of study in a foreign country;
- Demonstrate proficiency in a second language. This may be done by earning a grade of C or better in a commercial language course (e.g., FREN 306 French at Work, LAIS 306 Spanish in Business) or in a 300-level conversation course (e.g., ITAL 301 Italian Conversation, RUSN 301 Russian Conversation), or by earning a satisfactory score on an appropriate language proficiency examination;
- Live in another country for at least 12 continuous weeks other than study abroad experience.
- International Work Experience: An international work experience is required for the international business concentration. This requirement may be met by completing an approved internship in the U.S. in an organization's international section, or by working in an organization located outside the U.S.
Notes: Subject to prior approval of the director of International Business Programs, working abroad may satisfy both the international work experience requirement and one of the two international cultural experience requirements.
International Business and Modern Literatures and Cultures Options
Four programs are offered in conjunction with the Department of Modern Literatures and Cultures. These programs are designed for students who wish to double major in business administration with an international business concentration and in French, German Italian or Latin American and Iberian studies. Additional information may be obtained from the Department of Modern Literatures and Cultures or the Department of Latin American and Iberian Studies.
- Three 300-level courses (at least one FSLT), normally taken prior to study abroad
- Two 400-level seminars following required study abroad
- FREN 498-499 Senior Project I and II
- One semester full-time study at an approved business school (with all-French curriculum) in a French-speaking country (4 courses)
1. The French Major/International Business Option
9.5 courses in addition to completing all requirements of the international business concentration for the business administration major, including
The program consists of a rigorously structured curriculum that includes at least one semester abroad at one of the University's partner institutions with an all-business curriculum (for example Université Paris IX Dauphine, Institut de Formation Internationale-Groupe ESC Rouen, or EPSCI Groupe ESSEC-Cergy-Pontoise). While abroad, students continue their Robins School international business concentration in a French environment with French and other international students.
In order to prepare for the immersion experience, students will have a solid base at the 300 level on campus; upon their return they will broaden their knowledge of French literature and culture through advanced seminars and they will continue their Robins School coursework. The French component of the program thus consists of five courses taken on campus, plus 4-5 taken abroad, or the equivalent of the 9-course major in French. French/International Business Option students also will complete the French Senior Portfolio Project. (See French section for more specifics.)
2. The German Studies Major/International Business Option
10.5 courses in addition to completing all requirements of the international business concentration for the business administration major, including
- Six courses in German at the 300 or 400 level
- GERM 498-499 Senior Research Project
- One semester full-time study at Wirtschafts Universitat Wien
The German studies major/international business option requires that students study for at least a full semester at the Richmond's partner school Austria, Wirtschafts Universitat Wien (Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration).
3. The Italian Studies Major/International Business Option
9.5 courses in addition to completing all requirements of the international business concentration for the business administration major, including
- Five courses in Italian at the 300 or 400 level
- ITAL 498-499 Senior Research Project
- One semester full-time study at Commerciale Luigi Bocconi (four courses)
The curriculum of the Italian studies major/international business option includes a semester abroad at Universita Commerciale Luigi Bocconi. There, students will continue their Robins School concentrations in classes with both local and other international students.
In order to prepare for the experience abroad, students in Italian will need to have completed at least Italian 221 on the Richmond campus; they must take at least one concurrent course in Italian while at Bocconi.
4. The Latin American and Iberian Studies Major/International Business Option
9.5 units in addition to completing all requirements of the international business concentration for the business administration major, including
- Two units, chosen from
- LAIS 301-306 (content-based language courses emphasizing speaking, reading and writing)
- One unit, chosen from
- LAIS 321 Literary Spain
- LAIS 331 Introduction to Spanish American Literature I
- LAIS 332 Introduction to Spanish American Literature II
- Two units at the 400 level, taken upon return from study abroad
- One semester in Latin America or Spain at an approved institution with an all-Spanish curriculum in business
- LAIS 496 Senior Symposium
The curriculum of the Latin American and Iberian studies major/international business option includes at least a semester abroad at one of the University's Spanish language partner institutions that is a Robins School partner (for example, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella in Argentina, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Deusto in Spain, or Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Mexico). While abroad, students continue their Robins School concentrations in classes with both local and international students.
In order to prepare for the experience abroad, students will have a solid base of 300-level courses taken at Richmond. Upon return they will broaden their knowledge of literary and cultural studies through advanced seminars, as well as additional Robins School coursework. The Latin American and Iberian studies component of this program thus consists of five courses taken on campus, plus four or five taken abroad, or the equivalent of a nine-course major in Latin American and Iberian studies.
Dual Diploma Program with Institut de Formation Internationale Groupe ESC Rouen
International business students may apply for the dual diploma program with Institut de Formation Internationale (IFI) Groupe ESC Rouen. This program is designed for highly qualified international business students and admission is on a competitive basis. Studying at IFI during their junior year, accepted students will be required to complete the IFI third-year curriculum. Additionally, an approved work placement/internship and a significant research project must be completed. When the student returns to the University of Richmond and completes requirements for the B.S.B.A. degree with an international business concentration, the Diplôme de l'Institut de Formation Internationale will be awarded by IFI Groupe ESC Rouen. Contact the associate dean for international business programs for additional information on the dual diploma program.
Courses
IBUS 381 International Business Environment
IBUS 388 Selected Topics in International Business
IBUS 389 Directed Independent Study
IBUS 390 International Business Issues
IBUS 411 International Business Strategy