America – Business and Culture

1. America – Business and Culture Final Year elective - Outline

2. Assessment • Individual Assignment 50% - study of an MNE will demonstrate the business/political divide and the issues facing Obama, during the Credit Crunch. • Individual Presentation 50% - opportunity to review a current issue/case study in more depth and debate outcomes- from a list of chosen topics. • There is NO examination assessment for this module

3. North America Free Trade Agreement - Map (NAFTA) • USA • Canada • Mexico

4. Teaching Style • TEACHING STYLE IS DIFFERENT, hopefully stimulating!! • WEEKLY tutorials and lectures - are well attended !! • Teaching : lecture & tutorial – in 2012-13 we had a Wednesday morning dedicated “block.” (Note: 2013-14 timetabling is still to be agreed) • An understanding of GCMB etc. very useful. Note: You do NOT have to be well versed in Politics or Economics specifically – as we cover a lot of different areas, including business, foreign affairs, economics, culture and background. This provides the student with a well-rounded understanding of the entire subject area. • Seminar logistics. Everyone sits around one table. Cosy! Good way to get to know your fellow student and interact with the weekly topics. • Students are actively encouraged to contribute. Everyone gets to know each other, especially in term 1 - so a lively atmosphere prospers in America Seminars!! • Activities include Discussions, Videos, Thanksgiving Get-Together, Workshops (on demand) etc. • Remember - All marks awarded on this Elective are individual to each student.

5. Analysis of America Teaching methods include: • SLEPT analysis • SWOT analysis • Historical, Ideological and Cultural perspectives • Business/Economic/Political case studies

6. Course Construction • Term One – ALL lectures focus upon an introduction to the subject area i.e. - “the building blocks” • The Lecture programme provides information on USA’s current “standing” in the world today: Business and the Credit Crunch, govt. intervention in business, Economic foreign policy, NAFTA, MNEs, the role of U.S. Entrepreneurial Capitalism, the importance of the American Media on the world stage, Government structure, the Economy in recession, Trade links to Asia and South America. Understanding of the terms - American Exceptionalism and the American Dream. • Why is the USA STILL the world’s no1. economy after 100 years..etc? • Seminars will cover a weekly topical subject and active student participation is vital because we can’t do it without you!

7. Course Construction • Term Two – lectures focus upon the application of theory learnt in term one in order to enable students to develop their own viewpoints via the individual presentations. • Weekly Lectures – topics include USA relationship to neighbours, Trading blocs & NAFTA & the inter-relationship with Canada and Mexico and 21st century world trade, Unique US political system and how it helps/hinders business, Threat of China & role of WTO, Trade links to South America and EU, US govt. views on Environmentalism,etc. • Weekly Seminars – students will lead Presentations and discussions. Each week 2/3 students will be asked to “run the show” and topics are based upon pre-agreed subject areas. Marks are awarded individually. Popular with students.

8. Learn about contemporary American government, entrepreneurial capitalism, business, culture and politics – thus gaining an understanding of why this country has become such a powerful world economy and yet it remains sensitive to its historical roots. Power of US patriotism. Realise the importance and strength of the USA as a global melting pot Understand the role of the USA as “global leader” in international business and its pivotal role in NAFTA. Analyse the complex interaction between US business affairs and American foreign policy. Good elective to choose - for employability factors – through use of report method construction, vocal inter-action of ideas in seminars and practice for the workplace via formal presentation delivery. Also useful for those students interested in working for MNEs or in the international field in the future. Why choose the America – Business and Culture elective?

9. Reading • Core Text McKay D. American Politics & Society – 7th ed. (2009) Wiley-Blackwell. (Good back up to this text is : *SINGH) Some suggested back – up reading Micklethwait, J. & Wooldridge, A. (2004) The Right Nation: Conservative Power in America. London: Penguin. Bigsby, C. (2006) The Cambridge Companion toModern American Culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Brogan, H. (2001) The Penguin History of the United States. London: Penguin *Singh, (2003) Governing America, Politics of a Divided Democracy. Oxford University Press • And finally… Read a quality newspaper daily e.g. UK publications include - Guardian, Telegraph, Times, F.T. and Independent. US publications include - New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Wall St Journal, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times. Magazines – The Economist, Time, Newsweek, Business Week, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fortune, New York Review, etc

10. Tutor Details • Ann Howe • Dept. of Management Room: 5.32 • Email: a.howe@mmu.ac.uk • Tel: 0161 247 3870

11. Internal Student Survey -Feedbacl • Students have consistently voted this elective very highly in the MMUBS Internal Student Survey, including the most recent results for academic year 2012-2013. • Students have noted that they like the structure and delivery of the course, and this in turn makes for a positive learning environment. • Many students build and retain a strong interest and understanding of this subject area.

12. In Conclusion… • I hope you found the pod cast and related slides for this America elective helpful and I do hope you decide to choose this unit, as a result. • I look forward to seeing you in the America – Business and Culture elective, in September 2013! • In the interim, if you have any queries please do contact me. • Best Regards ANN