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)
Prerequisites:
4 or more semesters of college level Spanish class
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 more than two classes in any course or two absences in the Internship Seminar half of a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade for every additional absence. Four absences in any course 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 NGO
Required work and form of assessment:
Class participation (20%). Students will be expected to come to class prepared, and to participate actively in class.
Assignments (20%)
Mescladís assignment (10%). The students will attend a mandatory Field Study to Mescladís. Furthermore, the students will complete a questionnaire based on the visit.
Reading assignment (10%). Students are expected to read and prepare beforehand the materials designated for each session. In groups of two or three, students will read and prepare materials for the class.
Workplace supervisor evaluation (30%). Students’ workplace supervisors will evaluate several aspects such as attendance, punctuality, interest and efficiency of the student. The criteria for this are determined by the internship supervisor.
Final paper (30%)
First part (10%). Due in Week 6. This will consist of a description, analysis and commentary of the student’s internship. The format of this part of the final paper will be a report of minimum 1500-2000 words. It must include a scheme similar to the following:
Description of the company
Description of the sector to which it belongs. Compare this sector in both countries, Spain and the USA (refer to content in session 2)
Description of your job position e.g. knowledge, competences and abilities needed (refer to content on session 3)
Description of your main tasks, duties and responsibilities
Second Part (10%). Due in Week 12. The format of the second part of the final paper will be a report of minimum 1000-1500 words. It must include the following items:
What have you learned from this internship?
How will this internship enrich your resume?
Recommendations to improve the internship and yourself.
Conclusions.
Oral Presentation (10%). Students are expected to make presentations of their papers to the class.
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.
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)
4 or more semesters of college level Spanish class
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 more than two classes in any course or two absences in the Internship Seminar half of a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade for every additional absence. Four absences in any course will result in a failing grade.
By the end of the course, the students are able to:
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 NGO
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.
Spain and the Americas: ¡Ya me voy! (2012). The Economist, 4 October 2012, from print edition. Available: http://www.economist.com/node/21564255 Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
Labour markets: The brain drain in Spain is mainly to Spain's gain (2012). The Economist, 30 April 2012, from Free exchange. Available: http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2012/04/labour-markets-0 Accessed: 26 October, 2012.
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.
Labour markets: The brain drain in Spain is mainly to Spain's gain (2012). The Economist, 30 April 2012, from Free exchange. Available: http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2012/04/labour-markets-0 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.
Spain and the Americas: ¡Ya me voy! (2012). The Economist, 4 October 2012, from print edition. Available: http://www.economist.com/node/21564255 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.
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.