Description

The emphasis of this course is on the acquisition and use of Spanish vocabulary for the business world and applying it in homework exercises and oral in-class situations. Business practices and customs will be discussed, as well as short readings on financial subjects. In addition to written exercises and examinations, students will be expected to develop short oral presentations individually or in groups. Students will write a final research paper. The course will be taught in Spanish.

Requirements

1. Attendance: 3free absences (oral grade lowered after 4th).
2. Oral participation: students must be prepared for each class and must participate actively to receive a good oral grade.
a. Three oral presentations:

1. February: (description of business and/or company and of the country where the business is set up)
Go to p. 32 in Exito comercial and read the steps necessary to set up a company.

2. March: (advertisement: posters, tv commercials, live performance, radio, infomercial)

3. April: (selling your product/idea to the class or convincing a bank or investors to give you additional financial support, i.e. explain why your company deserves to grow)

Note: You may use data gathered about your particular line of business for your final paper.

3. Three exams: I, February 17; II, March 30; III, April 30.
a. Each exam will cover material in previous four chapters.

4. Homework: Students must prepare all the material in each chapter and be ready to hand in the "Actividades" of the chapter at the beginning of class.

a. To be able to answer the questions under the section "Al teléfono", you will have to listen to the dialogue in the cd.

5. Research project: due by May 10, 2012. (4-6 pages, typed double-space, 1-inch margins, bibliography) (see topics, below). You should consult at least three sources, either books or articles.

Grade distribution

Exams - 45%
Homework (Actividades) - 15%
Oral Presentations and Participation - 30%
Research project - 10%

Course objectives

1. To provide terminology that students will find useful in the business world, and thus increase vocabulary.

2. To provide practical situations which which give students the opportunity to put to use their Spanish oral and aural skills.

3. To allow room for creativity through projects related to the business world. Students will get to choose their own businesses, and design business cards, advertisements, letters, etc. for their companies.

4. To give students the opportunity to express their ideas and findings in writing.

*NOTE*: There is no extra credit available in this course.

University policy on plagiarism:

"The University has a responsibility to promote academic honesty and integrity and to develop procedures to deal effectively with instances of academic dishonesty. Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect for others' academic endeavors. By placing their name on academic work, students certify the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments."

For additional information go to:

UB's Undergraduate Catalogue: http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/

Posibles temas:

1. el comportamiento humano en cuanto a las decisiones involucradas en la compra de algún objeto

2. estructuras jerárquicas en una determinada compañía

3. responsabilidades sociales, éticas y morales de una empresa

a. respeto hacia los empleados
b. respeto hacia la sociedad y el medio ambiente

4. el papel que desempeña la mujer en los negocios en un determinado país

5. el Tratado del Libre Comercio - pros y contras

6. la cultura del mundo de los negocios

7. la comunidad europea

8. economía global o las transnacionales

9. qué determina el éxito de un negocio