Last revision 2/13/2008

Global Connections – Russia

 

Wednesdays, 3:30-6:30pm, UTC  1.116

 

Professor:  David Spence

Office Ph: 471-0778

Email: david.spence@mccombs.utexas.edu

GRA:  Tyler Cunningham

 

MBA Program Office liason:  Deidra Stephens

 

 

A.  Introduction

This course will provide students with an opportunity to understand and experience first-hand how the business environment in Russia.  With the help of expert guest speakers, we will focus in class on the unique history, politics, economics and culture of Russia. In early March, students will travel to Moscow and St. Petersburg for company visits and cultural tours, and project work.  

It is not required, but you may find it helpful to register with the New York Times and  The Economist online.  These are two of the best sources of English language news coverage of Russia.  We will also provide additional informational links in the documents section of the blackboard site for this course.

This online syllabus is the official syllabus of the course.  Please check it periodically, as it will be revised over time.  The professor will communicate with students via the blackboard email list.  If you are not enrolled as a user on the blackboard site for this class, you may not receive group email communications.

Student responsibilities: 

1.  The major work product of this course will be the student practicum project.  Student teams will investigate and analyze a problem connected with business in Russia, on behalf of a business client/sponsor.  The practicum project will comprise 50% of your grade.  Practicum project grades will be based upon interviews with student teams, interviews with project clients, and a review of the team work product.  For a list of the project teams and projects, click here (link TBA).

2.  All students will also be expected to participate actively in class discussion during the pre-trip classroom sessions (see below).  Class participation will comprise 25% of your grade.  Readings that are not web-based will be handed out in class. 

3.  The remainder of your grade will be based upon the trip portion of the course, particularly company visits.  Groups of students will prepare short written briefings on each of the companies we will visit in Central Europe, for distribution to the class.   These same groups will offer a synopsis (reminder) of the company briefing immediately prior to each company visit (on the bus or in the hotel).  The purpose of these briefings is to provoke interest in the company presentations.  Ideally, that interest will translate into a lively Q&A session following each company presentation.  In any case, all students should take responsibility for being engaged in discussions and asking questions during company visits.

Student Professionalism Policy:  Per the professionalism policy for all Global trips, your course grade cannot exceed the professionalism grade you receive for the course.  The policy covers all of your conduct in Europe, not simply company visits.  If you have any questions about this policy, please ask Deidra Stephens oR Prof. Spence before we depart for Russia.

B.  The class roster can be found on Blackboard

 

E.  Pre-departure classroom sessions

 

TOPICS AND SPEAKERS (Speakers TBA, and topics and speakers subject to change)

 

Jan 21                        Eric Hirst:  Introduction to program / David Spence:  Introduction to Russia program / Thomas Garza:  Survival Russian (language training)

 

Jan 28                        David Spence:  Russian history:  Pre- Soviet /  Charters Wynn:  Russian history: Soviet period

 

Feb 4                          Mary Neuberger:  Russian influence in the region  / Thomas Garza:  Contemporary Russian culture

 

Feb 11                        William Glade:  Privatization and the economic transition, 1989-present / Jana Vodickova (ISP):  Presentation on our trip  / Robert Moser:  Contemporary Russian politics

 

Feb 18                        Review of itinerary / Maya & Carrie on Russia / Reports on group projects /  Bella Bychkova-Jordan:  Doing Business in Russia today

 

Feb 25                        Sue Snyder:  Doing Business in Russia today / Thomas Garza:  Russian language

 

Mar 4 (3:30-5)           Casey Connor: Doing Business in Russia today / Predeparture meeting

 

 

D.  Trip

 

See blackboard for links to ISP student zone and other trip information.

 

F.  Post-trip

 

As we know more about the timetable for completion of individual practicum projects, this section of the syllabus will be updated to reflect post-trip activities.

 

We will have one post-trip class meeting.