This course investigates the cultural issues that inevitably surround working within a foreign environment. It will mainly be based on the intercultural knowledge that the intern stands to gain through the workplace experience. In addition to Intercultural Studies, we will also consider other diverse but related areas such as Organizational Theory, Human Resources, Ethics and Spain’s economic situation.
Companies increasingly value any international experiences on a candidate’s résumé. A worker with intercultural competence is more flexible, analytical, tolerant to change and open-minded. Everything that a global company needs!
The internationalization of companies and the consequent globalization of the economy is an unquestionable fact. Business and economic activities are dominated by two fundamental elements: The opening of the markets, with a progressive elimination of physical and administrative barriers, and the intensive use of information and communication technologies. Managers and employees in general must be prepared to think globally, act locally and work digitally. (3 credits)
Attendance policy:
Attendance is mandatory for all IES classes, including field studies. Any exams, tests, presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical or family emergencies. If a student misses three classes in the Internship Seminar half of a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade. Four absences will result in a failing grade.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, the students are able to:
· contrast different behavior patterns within the working environment, taking as a reference Barcelona and the USA;
· relate the theoretical concepts studied in class with their working experience;
· describe and analyze cultural differences based on critical incidents;
· identify cultural differences when it comes to organizational structures;
· recognize how their professional competences and skills have improved during their internship;
· practice negotiation in cross cultural situations;
· incorporate academic and work experience abroad in their résumé in an outstanding way.
Method of presentation:
Lectures, class debates on student’s experiences, case studies, written exercises, role play sessions for problem solving, simulation of cultural conflicts at the workplace based on intern’s experiences and field study.
Field study:
“A social organization doing Business” – Mescladís.
Required work and form of assessment:
Attendance is mandatory for all IES classes, including field studies. Any exams, tests, presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical or family emergencies. If a student misses three classes in the Internship Seminar half of a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade. Four absences will result in a failing grade.
content:
Session 1: Professors´ presentation of the course, contents, objectives, systems of evaluation and class norms. Individual goals- why they are doing this internship. Individual expectations.
Session 2: Spanish labour market, its current situation. Labour relations in Spain.
Jaumotte, F. (2011). The Spanish Labor Market in a Cross-Country Perspective. International Monetary Fund Working Paper, pp. 4-6, No 11/11, IMF. Washington. Available:
Wölfl, A., & Mora-Sanguinetti, J. (2011). Reforming the Labour Market in Spain. OECD Economics Department Working Papers, pp. 5-9, No 845, OECD, Paris. Available:
Session 6: Midterm feedback. First part of Final Paper due.
Session 7: Field Study – “A social organization doing Business” – Mescladís. Habiague, M. (2005). Objetivos de la Fundació Ciutadania Multicultural. Available: http://www.mescladis.org/es/quiensomos/objetivos.html. Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Goodman, D. A. (2000). Wanted: Behavioral Skills: Use behavioral interviewing to detect skills you can’t teach on the job. Nursing Management, February 2000: 27-29.
Goodman, D. A. (2000). Wanted: Behavioral Skills: Use behavioral interviewing to detect skills you can’t teach on the job. Nursing Management, February 2000: 27-29.
Jaumotte, F. (2011). The Spanish Labor Market in a Cross-Country Perspective. International Monetary Fund Working Paper, pp. 4-6, No 11/11, IMF. Washington. Available: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2011/wp1111.pdf Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Novas, H., Szerlip, B., & Watson, T. (2001). Passport Spain: Your Pocket Guide to Spanish Business, Customs & Etiquette. 22-25, 33-42, 48-55. Novato, CA: World Trade Press
Salmon, K. (2010). Boom to bust-reconstructing the Spanish Economy. International Journal of Iberian Studies, 23 (1), 39-52. Available: EBSCOHost database (AN 55172539).
Storti, C. (1994). Cross-Cultural Dialogues: 74 Brief Encounters with Cultural Difference. Yarmouth, Maine: Intercultural Press.
This course investigates the cultural issues that inevitably surround working within a foreign environment. It will mainly be based on the intercultural knowledge that the intern stands to gain through the workplace experience. In addition to Intercultural Studies, we will also consider other diverse but related areas such as Organizational Theory, Human Resources, Ethics and Spain’s economic situation.
Companies increasingly value any international experiences on a candidate’s résumé. A worker with intercultural competence is more flexible, analytical, tolerant to change and open-minded. Everything that a global company needs!
The internationalization of companies and the consequent globalization of the economy is an unquestionable fact. Business and economic activities are dominated by two fundamental elements: The opening of the markets, with a progressive elimination of physical and administrative barriers, and the intensive use of information and communication technologies. Managers and employees in general must be prepared to think globally, act locally and work digitally. (3 credits)
Attendance is mandatory for all IES classes, including field studies. Any exams, tests, presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical or family emergencies. If a student misses three classes in the Internship Seminar half of a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade. Four absences will result in a failing grade.
By the end of the course, the students are able to:
· contrast different behavior patterns within the working environment, taking as a reference Barcelona and the USA;
· relate the theoretical concepts studied in class with their working experience;
· describe and analyze cultural differences based on critical incidents;
· identify cultural differences when it comes to organizational structures;
· recognize how their professional competences and skills have improved during their internship;
· practice negotiation in cross cultural situations;
· incorporate academic and work experience abroad in their résumé in an outstanding way.
Lectures, class debates on student’s experiences, case studies, written exercises, role play sessions for problem solving, simulation of cultural conflicts at the workplace based on intern’s experiences and field study.
“A social organization doing Business” – Mescladís.
Attendance is mandatory for all IES classes, including field studies. Any exams, tests, presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical or family emergencies. If a student misses three classes in the Internship Seminar half of a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade. Four absences will result in a failing grade.
Session 1: Professors´ presentation of the course, contents, objectives, systems of evaluation and class norms. Individual goals- why they are doing this internship. Individual expectations.
Session 2: Spanish labour market, its current situation. Labour relations in Spain.
Jaumotte, F. (2011). The Spanish Labor Market in a Cross-Country Perspective. International Monetary Fund Working Paper, pp. 4-6, No 11/11, IMF. Washington. Available:
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2011/wp1111.pdf Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Wölfl, A., & Mora-Sanguinetti, J. (2011). Reforming the Labour Market in Spain. OECD Economics Department Working Papers, pp. 5-9, No 845, OECD, Paris. Available:
http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/reforming-the-labour-market-in-spain_5kghtchh277h-en Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Session 3: Spain vs. USA. Soft skills.
Novas, H., Szerlip, B., & Watson, T. (2001). Passport Spain: Your Pocket Guide to Spanish Business, Customs & Etiquette. 22-25, 33-42, 48-55. Novato, CA: World Trade Press.
Session 4: Placements. In today’s session you will also receive more details regarding the first part of your Final Paper.
Session 5: Corporate Social Responsibility. Ethics in Business.
Beschorner, T., [HSGUniStGallen] (2012, November 30). What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)? [video file]. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0NkGtNU_9w Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Rupal, J. (2008), Importance of Ethics in Business, Atharva Institute of Management Studies. Mumbai. Available:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Importance-of-Ethics-in-Business&id=1212419 Accessed: October 26, 2012.
Session 6: Midterm feedback. First part of Final Paper due.
Session 7: Field Study – “A social organization doing Business” – Mescladís. Habiague, M. (2005). Objetivos de la Fundació Ciutadania Multicultural. Available: http://www.mescladis.org/es/quiensomos/objetivos.html. Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Habiague, M. (2005). Código ético Mescladís. Available: http://www.mescladis.org/es/quiensomos/codigoetico.html. Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Habiague, M. (2005). La cocina como herramienta educativa. Available: http://www.mescladis.org/es/quiensomos/cocina.html. Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Session 8: Mescladís assignment due and discussion.
Session 9: CVs, Networking.
Auzenne, M., & Horstman, M. (2005). Your Resume Stinks! Available: http://www.manager-tools.com/2005/10/your-resume-stinks Accessed: 30 October, 2012. (podcast).
Auzenne, M., & Horstman, M. (2006). Building a Network. Available: http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/05/building-a-network Accessed: 30 October, 2012. (podcast).
Session 10: Interviews (Theory).
Goodman, D. A. (2000). Wanted: Behavioral Skills: Use behavioral interviewing to detect skills you can’t teach on the job. Nursing Management, February 2000: 27-29.
Auzenne, M., & Horstman, M. (2006). Accomplishments – Connecting Resumes & Interviews. Available: http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/09/accomplishments-connecting-resumes-and-interviews Accessed: 30 October, 2012. (podcast).
Session 11: Interviews
Session 12: Oral Presentations I
Final Exam: Oral Presentations II
Auzenne, M., & Horstman, M. (2005). Your Resume Stinks! Available: http://www.manager-tools.com/2005/10/your-resume-stinks Accessed: 30 October, 2012. (podcast).
Auzenne, M., & Horstman, M. (2006). Accomplishments – Connecting Resumes & Interviews. Available: http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/09/accomplishments-connecting-resumes-and-interviews Accessed: 30 October, 2012. (podcast).
Auzenne, M., & Horstman, M. (2006). Building a Network. Available: http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/05/building-a-network Accessed: 30 October, 2012. (podcast).
Beschorner, T., [HSGUniStGallen] (2012, November 30). What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)? [video file]. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0NkGtNU_9w Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Goodman, D. A. (2000). Wanted: Behavioral Skills: Use behavioral interviewing to detect skills you can’t teach on the job. Nursing Management, February 2000: 27-29.
Habiague, M. (2005). Código ético Mescladís. Available: http://www.mescladis.org/es/quiensomos/codigoetico.html. Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Habiague, M. (2005). La cocina como herramienta educativa. Available: http://www.mescladis.org/es/quiensomos/cocina.html. Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Habiague, M. (2005). Objetivos de la Fundació Ciutadania Multicultural. Available: http://www.mescladis.org/es/quiensomos/objetivos.html. Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Jaumotte, F. (2011). The Spanish Labor Market in a Cross-Country Perspective. International Monetary Fund Working Paper, pp. 4-6, No 11/11, IMF. Washington. Available: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2011/wp1111.pdf Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Novas, H., Szerlip, B., & Watson, T. (2001). Passport Spain: Your Pocket Guide to Spanish Business, Customs & Etiquette. 22-25, 33-42, 48-55. Novato, CA: World Trade Press
Rupal, J. (2008), Importance of Ethics in Business, Atharva Institute of Management Studies. Mumbai. Available: http://ezinearticles.com/?Importance-of-Ethics-in-Business&id=1212419 Accessed: October 26, 2012.
Wölfl, A., & Mora-Sanguinetti, J. (2011). Reforming the Labour Market in Spain. OECD Economics Department Working Papers, pp. 5-9, No 845, OECD, Paris. Available: http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/reforming-the-labour-market-in-spain_5kghtchh277h-en Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Green, B. P., Graybeal, P., & Madison, R.L. (2011). An Exploratory Study of the Effect of Professional Internships on Students' Perception of the Importance of Employment Traits. Journal of Education for Business, 86(2): 100-110.
Minder, R. (2012). The Country Beckons Spaniards as Jobs in Cities Grow Scarce. Available: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/13/world/europe/spains-economy-sends-city-residents-back-to-country.html?pagewanted=all Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Salmon, K. (2010). Boom to bust-reconstructing the Spanish Economy. International Journal of Iberian Studies, 23 (1), 39-52. Available: EBSCOHost database (AN 55172539).
Storti, C. (1994). Cross-Cultural Dialogues: 74 Brief Encounters with Cultural Difference. Yarmouth, Maine: Intercultural Press.