International Business

The International Business program at Fairfield University draws from interdisciplinary faculty in both the Dolan School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences to prepare students for the challenges of business in a global context.  Students explore geography, economics, politics, anthropology, and more as they learn to productively engage various forms of diversity and pursue business and economic development across a variety of social and environmental contexts.  Each International Business major chooses a co-curricular minor (or major) in the Dolan School of Business. 

INTL 1050 People, Places, and Global Issues    3 Credits

Attributes: BUEL Business Elective, DEIE Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Elective, MSID Magis Core: Interdisciplinary, PJST Peace and Justice Studies, WDIV World Diversity

This course introduces students to some of the fundamental concepts of International Studies. Major world regions and selected countries within them are discussed with respect to the people, and their physical, demographic, cultural, political, and economic characteristics. Several concepts and global issues are explored, among which the physical environment, conflict, inequality, global interconnectedness, and the movement of goods and people across borders are central. This course will emphasize contemporary events, particularly as they relate to the fundamental themes covered. Previously IL 0050 and INST 1050.

INTL 1051 Introduction to International Relations    3 Credits

Attributes: HACA Humanitarian Action Minor Context Course, PJST Peace and Justice Studies, PMIR Politics Major: International Relations

This course introduces International Relations (IR) theories to students, providing concepts, frameworks and approaches that will help them make sense of global politics historically and today in a systematic and critical manner. The goal of the course is to familiarize students with these tools and to help them use them to understand and address challenges at a global scale, particularly different manifestations of violence, development and social injustice, including from war to economic, social, gendered, and political marginalization. Crosslisted with POLI 1104. Previously IL 0051 and INST 1051.

INTL 1052 Culture and the Political Economy    3 Credits

Attributes: MWAC Magis Core: Writing Across Curriculum

This course examines the ways in which global political economic dynamics impact local cultures. Students will begin with classic texts in social theory, examine how this theory informs contemporary debates, and look to small-scale societies in the Global South for an intimate, ethnographic perspective of our global era. Crosslisted with ANTH 2010. Previously IL 0052 and INST 1052.

INTL 1053 Introduction to Economics    3 Credits

This course introduces the fundamentals of economic analysis from individual consumer behavior to the choices firms make, as well as framing the aggregate economy and indicators that measure global economic activity. It will cover the basics of both micro and macro economic study. Supply and demand, market structures, international trade, fiscal, and monetary policy are introduced. Students may petition for this course to also count toward a major or minor in economics. Previously IL 0053 and INST 1053.

INTL 2101 Introduction to International Business    3 Credits

The main goal of this course is to introduce students to the core concepts, topics, and issues facing businesses operating in the global market today. Students will learn about the changing business environment, international institutions, issues related to international trade and trade agreements, international financial system and exchange rates, global production and supply chain management and global marketing. Through the study of these topics in international business, students will learn about how the global economy functions and the challenges and opportunities multinational corporations face in working with international organizations, local governments, businesses and consumers, and global competitors. Previously INST 2101

INTL 2150 International Operations of Non-Profits    3 Credits

Attributes: BUEL Business Elective, HASM Humanitarian Action Minor Skills/Method Course, INEL International Studies / International Business Elective, WDIV World Diversity

This course introduces students to the environment of international not-for-profit organizations. The course examines the relationships between non-profits and the private and public sectors. Accountability is discussed in terms of short-term financial efficiencies and long-term program quality assessment. Course objectives include understanding internal and external environments in which non-profits operate; the relationship between non-profits with the public and private sectors; acquiring skills for accounting and financial information in the non-profit sector; understanding roles, performance and accountability issues of nongovernmental organizations in international development assistance; and developing case study analyses. Previously IL 0150 and INST 2150.

INTL 2154 Contemporary Issues Affecting the Global Business Environment    3 Credits

Attributes: INEL International Studies / International Business Elective

Prerequisites: ECON 1011, ECON 1012; or INST 1053.

The focus of this course is to introduce students to contemporary issues in international business and to understand the impact of real-world events on the global business environment. With in-depth case study analysis and country-specific investment research, students learn about the evolving global business environment, the unique challenges and opportunities businesses face of operating in emerging versus advanced economies, and connections between multinational corporations, governments, and international organizations that can facilitate or hinder cross-border activities. Crosslisted with ECON 2154. Previously IL 0154, INBU 1054.

INTL 3980 Internship    0-3 Credits

Attributes: INEL International Studies / International Business Elective

Prerequisite: Junior standing.

Students accept placements with local organizations, government agencies, or non-profit organizations in positions with an international component. Interns learn to apply knowledge acquired in their course of study to real-world situations. Completion of the internship requires regular meetings with the supervising faculty member, submission of journal entries, and one paper. Note: Students complete the internship in addition to the basic requirements for the major or minor. Arrangements for summer and international internships are also available. Students must have a GPA of 2.8 or higher. Previously IL 0298 and INST 3980.

INTL 3990 Independent Study    1-3 Credits

Attributes: INEL International Studies / International Business Elective

Students pursue an independent research project on international issues under the supervision of a faculty member. Open to juniors and seniors with the director's permission. Previously IL 0299 and INST 3990.

INTL 4999 Senior Capstone Seminar    3 Credits

Attributes: MWID Magis Core: Writing in the Discipline

Prerequisites: ECON 1011, ECON 1012, INST 1050, INST 1051, INST 1052.

This course requires students to theorize and analyze emerging trends in the political, socio-cultural, economic, and business dimensions of global affairs, and develop the implications in a particular context or setting. Students undertake a major research project as a central activity in this course drawing on the expertise and research methodologies they have developed in International Studies. This course is taken during the senior year, after students have completed all core courses in international studies. Previously IL 0300 and INST 4999.

Director of International Studies

Babo (Sociology and Anthropology)

Co-Director of International Business

Glebocki Keefe (Economics)

Executive Committee

Babo (Sociology and Anthropology)
Crawford (Sociology and Anthropology)
Franceschi (Economics)
Glebocki Keefe (Economics)
Han (International Business)
Leatherman (Politics)
Sachdeva (International Business)