a. Intercultural Management

Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon completion of the course, students

• will be familiar with the dominant etic theories of culture and how they interrelate (cross-cultural approach)
• understand how cultural values affect business practices
• have detailed knowledge of the potential impact of culture on leadership and hierarchy
• have detailed knowledge of the potential impact of culture on teams and teamwork
• have detailed knowledge of the potential impact of culture on business relationships
• have detailed knowledge of the potential impact of culture on competitiveness
• have detailed knowledge of the potential impact of culture on rule-orientation
• have detailed knowledge of the potential impact of culture on time management

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

Upon completion of the course, students

• analyze descriptions of business practices and relate them to etic theories
• analyze critical incidents and relate them to etic theories
• understand how culture does and does not affect their own and others’ behavior

Communication and Cooperation:

Students

• research literature and online sources on business culture and use them appropriately

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism:

Students

• develop confidence in dealing with the ambiguity of intercultural interactions
• apply and expand their knowledge in cross-border management projects and during their studies abroad

b. Option 1: Intercultural Relations / Negotiations (English)

Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon completion of the course, students

1. understand universal, cultural, and personal aspects of human behavior and beliefs
2. are aware of the various manifestations of culture (the “layers of culture” as well as “ownership” of culture)
3. have knowledge about the various approaches to studying culture
4. are aware of the impact of culture on communication, such as communication styles and possible consequences of second-language use
5. understand the concepts of social identity theory and ethnocentrism and the effects they describe
6. understand different meeting and negotiation styles and strategies

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

Students

• analyze and compare meeting practices based on emic descriptions
• analyze different types of communication (high-context and low-context)
• understand the different roles of relationships in cooperation
• critically evaluate relevant literature and internet sources

Communication and Cooperation:

Students

• analyze and compare descriptions of business practices in groups of increasing sizes (“crowd research”)
• generalize and categorize their findings based on an increasing number of analyzed business practices

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism:

Students

• recognize their own responses to “otherness”
• control and adapt their responses to “otherness”
• develop confidence in dealing with the ambiguity of intercultural interactions
• apply and expand their knowledge in cross-border management projects and during their studies abroad

b. Option 2: Intercultural Competence (French)

Knowledge and Understanding:

• By the end of the course, students have knowledge of the various approaches to the study of culture in a Franco-German context.
• They are aware of the impact of culture on communication.
• They are familiar with the various styles and strategies used in negotiations and professional interactions in a Franco-German context.

Application and Generation of Knowledge / Utilization, Application, and Production of Knowledge:

Students are able to

• analyze and compare practices in professional meetings and gatherings
• analyze different types of communication
• understand the different roles of relationships in a Franco-German context
• critically evaluate relevant literature and online sources
• recognize intercultural issues
• identify typical missteps

Communication and Cooperation / Communication et coopération:

Students can

• find, discuss, and analyze examples of the impact of culture on businesses in Franco-German teams, applying theoretical knowledge appropriately
• present their conclusions in team presentations, elicit feedback, and respond to it

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism / Perception of One’s Own Scientific Work / Professionalism:

Students can

• search for documentary sources on corporate culture and use them appropriately
• apply and expand their knowledge in cross-border management projects and during their studies abroad
• independently manage and develop their own learning process.
• understand the connection between linguistic competence and intercultural competence.
• are capable of engaging in continuous professional development and integrating new developments into language teaching.

b. Option 3: Intercultural Competence (Spanish)

Knowledge and Understanding:

Students:

• Understand the fundamental concepts of intercultural competence and its relevance in Spanish-speaking contexts
• Recognize idiomatic expressions and humorous elements specific to Spanish
• Understand the concept of quality of life in Hispanic cultures and its impact on professional relationships
• Identify cultural differences that influence multicultural work environments

Application and Knowledge Generation:

Students:

• Analyze intercultural situations in Spanish-speaking professional contexts
• Develop problem-solving strategies in multicultural environments
• Apply negotiation tactics adapted to international contexts
• Implement techniques to optimize work in diverse teams

Communication and cooperation:

Students:

• Develop effective communication skills in Spanish for multicultural professional settings
• Adapt their discourse to the cultural context
• Actively participate in collaborative work dynamics with people from different cultural backgrounds
• Mediating in situations of potential intercultural conflict

Scientific Self-Concept/Professionalism:

Students:

• Critically reflect on their own cultural identity and its influence on professional interactions
• Develop intercultural sensitivity and empathy toward other cultural perspectives
• Continuously evaluate their own performance in intercultural contexts
• Commit to lifelong learning about cultural diversity in Spanish-speaking environments.

a. Intercultural Management

• Classical etic studies and their limitations
• Culture and time management
• Culture and leadership
• Culture and teamwork
• Culture and competitiveness
• Culture, rules, and structures
• International interaction

b. Option 1: Intercultural Relations/Negotiations

• What is culture?
• Attitudes toward otherness
• Emic and etic studies
• Cross-cultural and intercultural studies
• International meetings
• International negotiations
• Culture and communication
• The international context

b. Option 2: Intercultural Competencies

Intercultural Communication in France and Germany

Theoretical Section:

• Review and discussion of existing models
• Comparison of French and German attitudes in various areas, such as:
  • the concept of time
  • politeness
  • management styles and hierarchies
  • business meetings and meals
  • the art of conversation
• Analysis of case studies

Practical component:

Design and presentation of intercultural projects in Franco-German teams.

Choose one topic from the following five (it is also possible to submit other proposals for intercultural projects):

• Management of an intercultural event
  • Planning a Franco-German day or Business Week
• Intercultural personnel management
  • Recruiting staff for a company of your choice based in Germany and France; drafting job postings for France and Germany with an analysis of cultural differences, organizing job interviews, etc.
• Intercultural Writing (Intercultural Writing)
  • Drafting an intercultural guide on Fachhochschule Dortmund or one of the French partner schools for French/German students who wish to study and/or complete an internship in Germany/France
• Intercultural marketing
• University Marketing
  • Development of marketing strategies for the “International Business Management” program, including a short film about this program and/or other partner schools
• Product Marketing
  • Comparative study on the marketing of a product in the German and French markets (e.g., comparison of commercials for cars, beer, beauty products, etc., marketed in France and Germany)

b. Option 3: Intercultural Competence (Spanish)

Intercultural Management

Students:

• Understand the concept of intercultural competence and its application in business management settings
• Identify differences in communication styles and humor between Hispanic cultures and other cultures
• Analyze how the concept of quality of life influences decision-making and organizational priorities in the Hispanic world
• Develop specific interpersonal skills to effectively manage multicultural teams
• Implement work dynamics adapted to the characteristics of culturally diverse teams

Intercultural Relations/ Negotiations

Students:

• Recognize idiomatic expressions and humorous elements that can affect negotiations in Spanish-speaking contexts
• Apply problem-solving strategies that take cultural differences into account
• Identify and adapt various negotiation styles and tactics according to the specific cultural context
• Develop effective communication techniques to establish positive professional relationships in multicultural environments
• Analyze case studies of intercultural negotiations in Spanish-speaking contexts

Intercultural Competence

Students:

• Define and understand the fundamental components of intercultural competence
• Critically reflect on their own cultural perceptions and how these influence their interactions
• Assess the importance of the concept of quality of life as a distinguishing factor in Hispanic cultures
• Develop strategies for effective conflict resolution in intercultural contexts
• Acquire tools for the ongoing self-assessment of their intercultural competence in diverse professional settings

a. Intercultural Management and b. Option 1: Intercultural Relations / Negotiations (English)

Ferraro, G.P. (2023). The Cultural Dimension of International Business. 9th revised ed. Pearson

Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G.J. & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and Organizations - Software of the Mind: Intercultural Cooperation and Its Importance for Survival. 3rd revised ed. McGraw-Hill

Meyer, Erin (2015). The Culture Map. New York : Public Affairs

Schroll-Machl, S. (2011). Doing Business with Germans: Their Perception, Our Perception. 4th edition. Vandenhoeck&Ruprecht

Tomalin, B. & Nicks, M. (2008). The World’s Business Cultures and How to Unlock Them. Thorogood

Internet: globalbusinesscompass.com, Cultural Atlas, culturalatlas.sbs.com.au, Passport to Trade, businessculture.org; selected Youtube videos

b. Option 2: Compétence Interculturelle (French)

Aoun, Joseph (2004) : Manager une équipe multiculturelle : Faire de la diversité une clé de la performance. Paris. ESF Editeur.

Bolten (Hrsg.) (²2005): Cross Culture - Interkulturelles Handeln in der Wirtschaft, Berlin.

Breuer/de Bartha (⁴2012). Deutsch-französische Geschäftsbeziehungen erfolgreich managen, Wiesbaden, Gabler/Springer.

Davel, Eduardo/Dupuis, Jean-Pierre/Chanlat, Jean-François (2009) : Gestion en contexte interculturel : Approches, problématiques, pratiques et plongées. Québec.

Drummond, Virginia (2014) : Le management interculturel : Gérer efficacement la diversité culturelle dans l'entreprise. Le Mans. Gereso (éditions).

Durand (2002): Die Legende vom Typisch Deutschen. Eine Kultur im Spiegel der Franzosen. Leipzig.

Hofstede, Geert/Hofstede, Gert-Jan/Minkov, Michael (2010): Cultures et organisations : Comprendre nos programmations mentales. Montreuil. Pearson.

Iribarne, Philippe (2009) : L'épreuve des différences : L'expérience d'une entreprise mondiale. Paris. Seuil.

Kumbier/ Schulz von Thun (2006) : Interkulturelle Kommunikation aus kommunikationspsychologischer Perspektive. In: Dies. (2006)(Hrsg.): Interkulturelle Kommunikation: Methoden, Modelle, Beispiele, Reinbek, Rowohlt, 9-27.

Le Clech, Bernard (2013) : Travailler dans un contexte multiculturel. Paris. Julhiet INSEP Consulting.

Lee, Yih-teen/Calvez, Vincent/Guénette, Alain Max (2008) : La Compétence culturelle : S'équiper pour les défis du management international. Paris. L'Harmattan.

Meier, Olivier (2013) : Management interculturel - 5e éd - Stratégie. Organisation. Performance. Paris. Dunod.

Meyer, C. Denis (2011) : Clés Pour La France: En 80 Icones Culturelles. Vanves.Hachette.

Müller-Pelzer (2012) : Interkulturelle Situationen. Verstrickung und Entfaltung, Göttingen, Cuvillier.

Schröpf, Ramona (2008) : Die fabelhafte Welt der Untertitelung. Übersetzungsstrategien und kulturbedingte Probleme im Sprachenpaar Französisch - Deutsch. Saarbrücken, VDM.

Soparnot, Richard/Karjalainen, Elina (2011) : Cas en management interculturel. Cormelles-le-Royal. EMS.

Thévenet, Maurice (2010) : La culture d'entreprise. Paris. Presses Universitaires de France – PUF.

Trompenaars, Fons/Hampden-Turner, Charles (2008) : L'entreprise multiculturelle. Paris. Maxima Laurent du Mesnil éditeur.

Zarate, Geneviève/Gohard-Radenkovic, Aline (2005) : La reconnaissance des compétences interculturelles : de la grille à la carte. Paris. Editions Didier.

Sources internet : www.connexion-emploi.com; www.dfh-ufa.org

Vidéos/Études des cas de l’Université Franco-Allemande (DFH-UFA)

Reader « Compétences interculturelles » (collection de textes et des études de cas)

b. Option 3: Competencia intercultural (Spanish)

Bolten (Hrsg.) (²2005): Cross Culture - Interkulturelles Handeln in der Wirtschaft, Berlin.

Deardorff, D. K. (2020). Manual for Developing Intercultural Competencies: Story Circles. UNESCO Publishing

Felices, Angel (2013) : Cultura Y Negocios Libro De Claves, Spanien. Verlag EDI

Ivorra Pérez (2014) : La comunicación intercultural y el discurso de los negocios, Spanien. Verlag Universidad de Alicante

Aneas, Assumpta (2015): Competencia global : 50 actividades de formación para lograr éxito en proyectos y negocios internacionales, Spanien. Verlag Ediciones Díaz bde Santos (1. Auflage)

Baranano, Ascensión und José. L. Garcia (2007): Diccionario de las relaciones interculturales. Diversidad y globalización. Spanien. Verlag Complutende.

Trujillo Sáez, : Cultura, comunicación y lenguaje. Spanien 2006 Verlag Octaendro

Brett, J. M. (2017). Negotiating Globally: How to Negotiate Deals, Resolve Disputes, and Make Decisions Across Cultural Boundaries. Jossey-Bass.

a. Introduction to Business Administration

Upon successful completion of the module courses, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

• describe basic business administration concepts and approaches
• to acquire a systematic, methodical, and practice-oriented understanding of the issues in general business administration.
• to know and explain the basic concepts of all major business administration subfields (management, investment & financing, marketing, procurement, production, human resources, accounting, organization) and to explain them.
• understand business management ways of thinking, methods, and models.
• understand the interrelationships between various business management functions within a company.

Application, use, and generation of knowledge:

• Analyze financial statements (balance sheets / income statements) of real companies.
• Perform cost calculations to solve specific business management problems (e.g., net present value calculations, order quantity calculations).
• Apply theoretical knowledge using case studies of real companies.
• Independently work through concepts in the form of structured exercises, some of which will be discussed in class.

Communication and Cooperation:

• Conduct a brief brainstorming session on a keyword (e.g., “leverage effect”) in groups at the beginning of each class.
• Actively discuss subject-matter topics with other students and the instructor.
• Presentation of the results of exercises.

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism:

• Developing the ability to actively participate in discussions on business administration topics.
• Gaining a comprehensive overview of the field of business administration and the ability to selectively choose future areas of specialization.

b. Introduction to Economics

Upon successful completion of the module courses, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

• to articulate basic economic concepts and approaches.
• to understand the fundamentals of economic methods and models.
• to replicate economic mechanisms and chains of effects.

Use, Application, and Generation of Knowledge:

• apply their knowledge in practice through exercises solved with the help of sample solutions and group work.
• structure economic issues using economic approaches.
• to develop simple economic policy analyses (e.g., tax policy, government intervention in markets).
• to identify problems of market failure and discuss possible solutions in a structured manner.

Communication and Cooperation:

• Solve exercises and engage in economic policy discussions within a team through cooperation.
• Communicate the results to a group.

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism:

• Acquire initial proficiency in discussing and evaluating economic processes, both at the macroeconomic level and within the context of individual businesses.

a. Introduction to Business Administration

• Companies, Markets, and Business Management
• Investment and Finance
• Marketing Management
• Procurement & Production
• Human Resource Management
• Accounting
• Strategic Management

• Organization

b. Introduction to Economics

• Fundamentals of Economic Analysis
• Supply and Demand, How Markets Work
• Economic Policy Measures (Taxes, Price Interventions)
• Fundamentals of Welfare Analysis
• Fundamentals of Consumption Theory
• Externalities and the Role of the State in Market Processes

a. Introduction to International Commerce

Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon completion of the course, students

• can understand and contextualize key aspects and procedures in international commerce in English.
• can describe the functions of international English in business and understand linguistic self-assessment scales.
• demonstrate detailed knowledge of tools and techniques for individual language development.
• understand commerce-related intercultural relations issues and their implications.
• evaluate the requirements and challenges presented in business-related case studies.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

Upon completion of the course, students are able to

• communicate and contextualize key aspects and functions in international business effectively.
• apply knowledge of independent learning techniques to develop sustained strategies for language learning.
• utilize key techniques for independent language development in business contexts.
• produce various types of international business correspondence effectively.

Communication and Cooperation:

Students are able to

• communicate effectively in diverse international business contexts, both orally and in writing.
• participate actively and effectively in various types of classroom communication and discussions.
• lead and coordinate teams in a results-oriented manner to achieve common goals.
• present and defend team results in complex and demanding environments.
• engage in discussions about the societal implications of management decisions, articulating personal viewpoints.

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism:

Students are able to

• reflect on the interrelationships and implications of management functions in an international context.
• demonstrate professionalism in business communication and cultural sensitivity.
• assess their personal language proficiency and identify areas for improvement.
• maintain a commitment to continuous professional development and lifelong learning in language and business.
• apply ethical considerations within international business and management practices.

b. Introduction to Studying Business

Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon completion of the course, students

• can understand and contextualize core aspects and concepts of General Management, Human Resource Management (HRM), Marketing, and Finance.
• have become familiar with the fundamental theories and models relevant to management disciplines.
• can recognize the impact of globalization on business practices and management strategies.
• can understand basic academic work techniques such as note-taking, web and literature research, relaying information, and essay writing.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

Upon completion of the course, students are able to

• apply concepts and frameworks to decision-making in management-related case studies.
• analyze and evaluate options in topical case studies to propose effective solutions.
• develop independent research projects that incorporate relevant literature and data analysis.
• apply academic writing techniques to formulate coherent and persuasive essays.
• use tools and techniques to address issues in international commerce and evaluate their implications.

Communication and Cooperation:

Students are able to

• participate effectively in various types of classroom communication, including discussions and presentations.
• lead and coordinate teams in a results-oriented manner, fostering collaboration among team members.
• present and defend team results in a complex and demanding environment, demonstrating confidence and clarity.
• develop active listening and feedback skills to enhance group dynamics and learning outcomes.

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism:

Students

• can reflect on the interrelationships and implications of management functions in a business context.
• have cultivated a mindset of continuous improvement and lifelong learning in management studies.
• have developed effective strategies for self-directed learning in English, particularly in a business context.
• can adhere to academic integrity and ethical standards in research and writing.
• can demonstrate professionalism in academic and collaborative endeavors, including punctuality, responsibility, and respect for others.
• reflect on the interrelationships and implications of management functions.

The module is divided into two parts. “Introduction to International Commerce” introduces students to key functions and areas in this field to prepare them to handle work-related communication situations in English effectively. “Introduction to Studying Business” introduces students to selected academic fields to help them practice study techniques and prepare them for academic communication in English, both in Germany and abroad. The module is based on the concept of Content and Language-Integrated Learning (CLIL) by combining topical studies with foreign language practice.

Topics

a. Introduction to International Commerce

• Effective business communication skills
• International English and the European language scale
• International business correspondence
• Breaking into export markets
• Grammar and vocabulary in context
• Language development techniques

b. Introduction to Studying Business

• Aspects and concepts of management
• Aspects and concepts of human resources management
• Aspects and concepts of marketing
• Aspects and concepts of financial management
• Introduction to academic writing / essay writing

• Written exam at the end of the semester (100%), 120 min.

or

• Short written tests (4) during the semester (40%), 10 min./each, and a written exam at the end of the semester (60%), 90 min.

or

• Assignments (5) during the semester (50%), short presentations/written texts/research tasks, max. 5 min./2 pages, and written exam at the end of the semester (50%), 60 min.

The form of examination and the adjusted scope/duration will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

a. Introduction to International Commerce

Benford, M. (2021). Ways to Trade: Englisch für Groß- und Außenhandel. 2^nd ed. Troisdorf: Bildungsverlag EINS.

Brieger, N. and Sweeney, S. (2020). The Language of Business English. 2nd ed. Hemel Hempstead: Prentice Hall International.

Reuvied, J. and Sherlock, J. (2020). International Trade: An Essential Guide to the Principles and Practice of Export. London: Kogan Page Ltd.

Sachs, R. and Abegg, B. (2018). Commercial Correspondence: Englische Handelskorrespondenz für die Berufspraxis. 3^rd ed. Ismaning: Hueber.

Sweeney, S. (2019). English for Business Communication. Cambridge: CUP.

Baker, M. (2022). Business Communication: A Practical Guide to Effective Communication in the Workplace. London: Routledge.

O'Rourke, M. (2021). Global Business Communication. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Smith, R. and Jones, A. (2020). Effective Business Communication in a Global Context. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Chen, L. and Liu, W. (2021). Cross-Cultural Business Communication: A Practical Guide. London: Sage Publications.

Hill, C.W.L. (2021). International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace. 12^th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

Rugman, A.M. and Verbeke, A. (2019). International Business. 4th ed. Harlow: Pearson.

Peng, M.W. (2020). Global Business. 5th ed. Cengage Learning.

Kotabe, M. and Helsen, K. (2022). Global Marketing Management. 7^th ed. Hoboken: Wiley.

Moffett, M.H., Stonehill, A.I. and Eiteman, D.K. (2020). Fundamentals of International Business Finance: A Managerial Approach. 6^th ed. Boston: Pearson.

Grosse, R. and Fonstad, N. (2021). International Business: A Managerial Perspective. 2^nd ed. New York: Wiley.

b. Introduction to Studying Business

Allen, B. (2021). Study Skills for Business and Management. Maidenhead, Berkshire: McGraw-Hill Education.

Cottrell, S. (2021). Study Skills. 4^th ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

de Mooij, M. (2020). Global Marketing and Advertising: Understanding Intercultural Paradoxes. 4^th ed. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.

Dessler, G. (2020). Human Resource Management. 15^th ed. Boston: Pearson.

Hall, D., Jones, R. and Raffo, C. (2019). Business Studies. 5^th ed. Ormskirk, Lancs.: Causeway Press.

Luthans, F. (2021). International Management: Culture, Strategy, and Behavior. 9^th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Education.

MacKenzie, I. (2020). English for Business Studies. 4^th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Naunton, J. (2020). Skills for Business Studies: Advanced. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lines, D., Marcouse, I. and Martin, B. (2020). Complete A-Z Business Studies Handbook. 5^th ed. London: Hodder Education.

a. Supply Chain Management (SCM)

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired the following competencies:

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Students can identify, organize, and explain the most important terms and core elements of Supply Chain Management (SCM), as well as its key tasks.
• They can describe the drivers behind the development of SCM, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with collaboration.
• They can identify and explain the most important aspects, tasks, objectives, and processes of modern, practice-oriented logistics.
• They can identify and explain the most important objectives, tasks, content, and methods for procurement, production, and distribution, and relate them to SCM.
• They can describe selected logistics and SCM concepts.

Application, Use, and Generation of Knowledge:

• You can independently classify issues into the appropriate subject areas.
• You can independently solve basic problems using appropriate methods.
• You can systematically solve application-oriented exercises in the context of SCM while applying the knowledge you have acquired.

Communication and Cooperation:

• You can present results and recommendations for action and defend them with sound reasoning.

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism:

• You can critically evaluate results.
• You are aware of the limitations of the knowledge and skills you have acquired

b. Accounting

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to …

Knowledge and Understanding:

• compare internal and external accounting.
• understand the legal obligations for bookkeeping in companies.
• understand the effects of regularly occurring business transactions on a company’s balance sheet and income statement.

Application and Use of Knowledge:

• apply double-entry bookkeeping techniques to correctly record recurring business transactions and the annual financial statements in a company’s general ledger and subsidiary ledgers.
• Independently review lecture material using the recommended reading list.
• Independently research, select, and apply solutions for unfamiliar business transactions.

Communication and Cooperation:

• Use technical terms correctly.
• Explain technical terms to people without specialized knowledge in a simple and understandable way.
• Work together in groups to tackle and solve tasks in a structured manner.

Academic Self-Awareness / Professionalism:

• Recognize how accounting information supports decision-making and how this relates to the scope for discretion and flexibility in financial accounting.
• Realistically assess one’s own professional competencies and reflect on when professional support is necessary.

a. Supply Chain Management (SCM)

• Supply Chain Management: Basic Concepts, Core Elements of SCM, Drivers, Bullwhip Effect, Levels of SCM
• Logistics: Basic Concepts and Classification, Overview of Core Logistics Processes, Multi-Link Transport Chains, Information Flow and Order Processing
• Production: Basic Concepts and Classification, Production System, Tasks of Production Management, Production Program Planning Process, Production Logistics
• Procurement: Basic Concepts and Classification, Role of Purchasing, Material Portfolio and Standardization Strategies, Procurement Logistics
• Distribution: Basic Concepts and Classification, Distribution System, Distribution Channels, Distribution Logistics
• Overview of Selected SCM Concepts

b. Accounting

• Fundamentals and Scope of Accounting as Part of Financial Reporting
• Elements of the Annual Financial Statements
• Double-entry bookkeeping
• Posting of day-to-day transactions to the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers
• Postings for the annual financial statements

a. Financial Mathematics

Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon successful completion of the module courses, students will be proficient in calculating one-time and recurring savings transactions and will be able to apply these calculations to various financial products and real investments with deterministic payments.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

Upon successful completion of the module courses

• students are able to decide which investment alternatives should be implemented in the company,
• students are familiar with drawing up an amortization schedule based on several variants and can calculate it independently. On this basis, they select the optimal method in relation to the specific business context.

Communication and Cooperation:

Upon successful completion of the module sessions, students are prepared to present and discuss their solutions in small groups.

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism:

Upon successful completion of the module courses, students will recognize that, in practice, more complex models may need to be used, which require additional knowledge (e.g., lifetime annuities vs. the fixed-term annuities covered here).

b. Linear Algebra

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired the following competencies:

Knowledge and Understanding:

• They can identify and describe the central mathematical concepts of linear algebra and their areas of application in business administration.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

• Students can translate business problems and business data into mathematical problems using the tools of linear algebra.
• They can analyze mathematical problems in linear algebra and identify appropriate solution methods.
• You can apply operations and methods of linear algebra, in particular assess the solvability of systems of linear equations and determine their solutions.

Communication and Cooperation:

• You can present results and defend them with sound reasoning.

Academic Self-Awareness / Professionalism:

• You are aware of the limitations of your acquired knowledge and can identify when additional or different competencies are necessary.

a. Financial Mathematics

• Basic Interest Models (Linear Compounding, Geometric Compounding, Mixed Compounding)
• Annuity Calculations (annual and intra-annual annuities, perpetual annuities, dynamic annuities)
• Amortization Calculations (equivalence principle, amortization schedules, repayment options)
• Yield Calculations (annualized yield, arithmetic yield, yield based on the internal rate of return, yield based on the real interest rate)

b. Linear Algebra

• Matrices, matrix properties, matrix relations and operations, determinants
• vector calculus and vector spaces
• analytic geometry of lines and planes
• general systems of linear equations, Gauss’s algorithm

The course will be conducted as follows:

• Financial Mathematics (seminar-style lecture)
• Linear Algebra (seminar-style lecture)

The module exam consists of several components

• In-semester assignment on financial mathematics (10%)
• Written exam (90%), 90 min.

a. Descriptive Statistics

Upon successful completion of the seminar course on Descriptive Statistics, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

• define the basic concepts of descriptive statistics
• to recognize different frequency distributions and identify their corresponding characteristics
• to identify the prerequisites for applying specific statistical methods

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

• to develop one-dimensional frequency distributions based on practical problems
• Calculate parameters for describing one- and two-dimensional frequency distributions
• Apply linear regression with the corresponding parameters and coefficients
• Understand the components of a time series and perform a simple forecast by extrapolation
• Convert the results into appropriate graphical representations

Communication and cooperation:

• work together in groups to apply the methods learned and develop solutions to problems from exercises and case studies
• present the results of exercises and case studies to the group

Scientific Self-Concept / Professionalism:

• Independently work on practical tasks in the field of statistics
• convert the results of statistical analyses into appropriate graphical representations

b. Inferential Statistics

Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon successful completion of the seminar course on Inferential Statistics, students will know and understand the basic terms and concepts of inferential statistics.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

Upon successful completion of the seminar course on Inferential Statistics, students will be able to

• analyze practical problems, model them mathematically, and determine the solution.
• calculate probabilities from basic discrete and continuous probability distributions
• calculate and interpret basic confidence intervals
• conduct and interpret basic hypothesis tests
• present the results of exercises and case studies to the group

Communication and Cooperation:

Upon successful completion of the seminar course on Inferential Statistics, students will be able to

• analyze practical problems, model them mathematically, and determine the solution.
• calculate probabilities from basic discrete and continuous probability distributions
• Calculate and interpret basic confidence intervals
• Conduct and interpret basic hypothesis tests
• to present the results of exercises and case studies to the group

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism:

Upon successful completion of the seminar course on inferential statistics, students will be able to use the knowledge they have acquired to understand more advanced models and applications covered in subsequent lectures throughout their studies. They will be able to apply this knowledge to practical and theoretical problems in their thesis and discuss them critically.

a. Descriptive Statistics

• Basic Concepts of Descriptive Statistics
• Describing Individual Variables Using One-Dimensional Frequency Distributions
• Describing One-Dimensional Frequency Distributions Using Parameters (location, dispersion, skewness, concentration)
• Description of multiple jointly collected variables using multidimensional frequency distributions
• Description of two-dimensional frequency distributions using parameters (conditional frequencies, statistical dependence)
• Linear regression analysis and correlation
• Fundamentals of time series analysis and simple forecasting methods

b. Inferential Statistics

• Basic concepts of combinatorics
• Fundamentals of probability theory
• Discrete and continuous random variables
• Confidence intervals
• Hypothesis testing

• recognize basic vocabulary and expressions commonly used in commercial communication in Spanish
• understand key content in simple materials related to the Spanish or Latin American workplace, such as short texts, dialogs, or videos
• learn basic phrases and structures relevant to professional communication in Spanish

• develop their methodological competence by acquiring skills for job applications, workplace communication, and handling unfamiliar situations
• become familiar with the methodology of Spanish terminology and phraseology in order to develop their written and oral communication skills in general everyday, business, and professional language

• acquire social and communicative skills necessary for developing key competencies as well as for dealing with differences in mindset and cultural contexts
• practice audience-oriented presentation of work results in the foreign language 

• practice grammatical structures of Spanish business terminology 
• are able to develop their own learning strategies for further career-related language acquisition
• critically reflect on the economic differences between Spain, Latin America, and their own country

Reader
Berufsorientierter Spanischkurs für Anfänger. Difusión: Barcelona

Gisele Prost/Alfredo Noriega (2016): Al día (inkl. CD)

Brunengo, Andrés (2015): Wirtschaftsspanisch für Berufseinsteiger, UTB

Schitzer Johannes, Jordi Martí (Hrsg) 2014: Wirtschaftsspanisch: Terminologisches Handbuch-Manual de lenguaje económico (Lehr und Handbuch), Oldenburg Verlag

• understand and identify the basic grammatical structures of the indicative and imperative moods 
• acquire specialized knowledge related to the semester’s topics and broaden their subject-specific expertise regarding Spain and Latin America as components of the global economic markets
• internalize the concept of branding (brand and marketing) 
• analyze various types of brands using representative, internationally active Spanish and Latin American companies as examples
• critically examine the main characteristics of branding (advantages and disadvantages) and the criticism of emotional branding
• critically examine the phenomenon of new nationalism in Spain and the dangers it poses to the EU and international markets
• learn about new manifestations of new nationalism, xenophobia, aggression, populism, and advertising

• practice oral and written expression in a foreign language in authentic business situations,
• practice reading and listening comprehension in a foreign language using various media,
• develop their analytical skills in working with texts and other media (summarizing key points, commenting, discussing),
• explore the benefits and limitations of comparative methods with regard to the current economic situation in Spain 

• practice completing tasks in the foreign language through partner and group work
• practice presenting their work results to an audience in the foreign language

• apply their newly acquired general and specialized vocabulary, stylistic devices, and grammatical structures,
• formulate hypotheses in the foreign language, weigh alternatives, and propose their own solutions,
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of audience-oriented presentations, both their own and those of their fellow students 

• Globalization: Concept, Definition, Historical Development
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Globalization for Various Economic Sectors
• Traditional Marketing: Basic Concepts, 4Ps, Marketing Strategies
• Digital Marketing: Online Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing
• Branding
• Case studies on Spanish and Latin American companies
• Concept: Supranationalism/Regionalism
• Different forms of regionalism in Spain

• Seminar-style instruction with interactive elements
• Partner and group work
• Language exercises (written and oral)
• Use of audiovisual media
• Self-paced online course

• Written exam (40%): 60 min.
• Oral exam (30%) (15–20 min.)
• Semester-long seminar project (30%): Video or presentation, up to 30 min., or workshops up to 60 min.

Gimber/Rodríguez Martín/ Schütz/Walter (2012): Spanien verstehen, Darmstadt, Wiss. Buchgemeinschaft

Nohlen/Hildenbrand (2005): Spanien. Wirtschaft – Gesellschaft – Politik. Ein Studienbuch, Wiesbaden, 2. Aufl., VS

Bernecker (2008)(Hrsg.): Spanien heute, Berlin, 2. Aufl., Vervuert

Zabaleta, Xabier „Una historia de las lenguas y los nacionalismos” (2010), Barcelona editorial Gedisa

De la Dehesa, Guillermo “Quo vadis Europa” (2014) Madrid, 1.Aufl. 2014 Editorial Alianza

Sangri, coral, Alberto “Introducción a la mercadotecnia” (2014) México, Editorial Patria

Tracy, Brian „Mercadotecnia“ (2016) Editorial La biblioteca del éxito

Flash ensayo (HRSG)  “Las claves de la crisis catalana en 21 artículos” (2018) Editorial Flash

Ignatieff, Michael „Sangre y pertenencia, viajes al nuevo nacionalismo“ (2016) Madrid, Editorial mal paso

Cáceres Lorenzo, Tersa; Marina Díaz Peralta “Ortografía” (2013) Madrid Editorial Anaya

Carrasquedo, Olga „Basiswortschatz Business Spanisch, Die 2000 wichtigsten Wörter“ (2017) Verlag compact

• Students deepen their subject-specific expertise to better understand France as a trading partner.
• They gain an understanding of the internal processes within a French company.
• They acquire knowledge of the various phases, from company formation to customer acquisition and sales.
• They develop an awareness of cultural differences in the professional environment.
• They are able to integrate knowledge from various disciplines.
• They learn to understand, analyze, and summarize texts written in business terminology.

• In a simulated environment, students establish global companies and engage in dialogue with one another.
• Conducting role-plays in French and simulating authentic business situations such as phone calls, meetings, and email correspondence.
• Strengthening methodological competence through the use of analytical methods.
• Analyzing texts and communicating both orally and in writing in professional contexts.
• Possesses a fairly broad range of language to describe unpredictable situations, explain the main point of a problem or idea with sufficient precision, and express thoughts on abstract topics.
• Can adapt their style of expression to handle less familiar or even difficult situations.
• Can explain the main points of an idea or problem with sufficient accuracy.

• Students acquire the social and communication skills necessary to develop key competencies.
• Students develop teamwork skills, supported by planning exercises, role-playing, and other activities.

• Students can independently navigate complex work or academic contexts and shape them in a sustainable manner.
• They can work on independent projects.
• They have the ability to independently manage and further develop their own learning process.

• Writing Professional Emails (Introduction to polite expressions and formal communication.)
• Meetings and Presentations
• Negotiations and Business Arguments

• Business and Trade Terms
• Job- and industry-specific vocabulary.
• Idiomatic expressions and job-related phraseology.

• Written and oral comprehension of work-related documents
• Written and oral expression in a professional context
• Note-taking and summarizing techniques

• Mitchell, M./Fleuranceau, A. (2011), Pour parler affaires A2/B1, Klett : Stuttgart
• Dubois, AL, / Tauzin, B., (2016), Objectif Express 2 – Nouvelle édition, Hueber
• Spérandio / Opatski / Petitmengin / Pons / Djimli / Vedel, (2022), Edito A1 (2022) focus pro Unité 10, Didier FLE
• Spérandio / Dodin / Fafa / Gajdosova / Horquin / Pasquet / Perrard / Petitmengin, (2024), Edito A2 (2022) focus pro Unité 11, Didier FLE
• Heu / Gatin / Perrard / Petitmengin / Spérandio / Nicolas, (2023), Edito B1 (2023) focus pro Unité 9, avec renfort d’Edito Pro (2020) pour la préparation du DFP, Didier FLE
• Abou-Samra / Heu / Perrard / Caraco, (2022), Edito B2 (2023) focus pro Unité 3, Didier FLE
• Holle / Diogo / Maussire / Grimaud / Lauret, (2020), Édito Pro B1 – Livre + DVD-rom + didierfle.app, Didier FLE
• Penformis, (2018), Français.com B1 intermédiaire, 3e édition, Klett Sprachen
• Jegou / Paz Rosillo, (2016), Quartier d'affaires, CLE international

• Delouze-Krüger, M./Carau, G./Kern, R./Germann, H. (2002), Découverte de la France économique, Stuttgart: Klett
• Breuer, J.P./de Bartha, P.: Deutsch-Französische Geschäftsbeziehungen erfolgreich managen, (2012), Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden
• Davoine, J.-P./Davoine, E. (2002), Einführung in die französische Wirtschaftssprache, München:Franz Vahlen
• Lavric, E./Pichler, H. (2003), Wirtschaftsfranzösisch fehlerfrei - Le français économique sans fautes, München.
• Lüsebrink, H.-J. (2011), Einführung in die Landeskunde Frankreichs, 3. Auflage, Stuttgart: Metzler
• Perez, D.: CV, lettre de motivation, entretien d’embauche, (2014), L‘étudiant, Paris
• Pruvot-Büttner, C. (2010), Pons Bürokommunikation Französisch, Stuttgart: Klett

• expand their general language skills (vocabulary, grammar, stylistics),
• acquire specialized language skills related to the semester’s topics,
• expand their expertise regarding France as an economic region,
• learn about various French companies operating internationally,
• recognize the characteristics of franchising and its significance for economic life.

• deepen their analytical skills by analyzing and summarizing key messages in foreign-language business situations,
• enhance their understanding of various media content through exercises in foreign-language reading and listening comprehension,
• improve their understanding of authentic business situations by discussing and explaining business concepts and strategies through oral and written expression,
• express themselves clearly and concisely, without restrictions on how they formulate what they want to say,
• reliably convey detailed information.

• practice completing tasks in the foreign language through partner and group work,
• practice presenting their work results to an audience in the foreign language.

• apply their newly acquired general and specialized vocabulary, stylistic devices, and grammatical structures,
• formulate hypotheses in the foreign language, weigh alternatives, and propose independent solutions,
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of audience-oriented presentations in their own work and that of their peers,
• have the ability to independently manage and further develop their own learning process,
• are willing to engage in continuous professional development and to incorporate new developments in language instruction.

• Economic Actors : Identify and describe different types of workers, classify businesses, and explore the role of the government in the economy.
• Business Correspondence : Distinguish between the stages of the sales process, compare methods of placing orders, and file complaints via email or phone.
• Practical Skills: Develop skills in professional communication, project management, and research applied to the business world.
• Entrepreneurs: Analyze the profile of an entrepreneur, financing options, and the formalities involved in starting a business.
• Marketing : Conduct market research, segment and position products, and draft advertising messages.
• Contemporary Issues : Understand the principles of financial management, intercultural management, and the challenges of sustainable development.

• Penformis, (2017), Affaires.com - Niveau avancé (B2-C1), 3. Auflage, CLE international

• Baasner/Manac’h/ von Schumann : (2008): Points de vue – Sichtweisen. France -Allemagne, un regard comparé. Deutschland – Frankreich, ein vergleichender Blick. Frankfurt / Main, NDV Éditions Doumic.
• Barmeyer/Schlierer/Seidel (2007): Wirtschaftsmodell Frankreich. Märkte, Unternehmen, Manager. Frankfurt/New York, Campus.
• Große/Lüger, Heinz Helmut. (7 2008). Frankreich verstehen, Darmstadt, Wiss Buchgesellschaft
• Lüsebrink (2 2003). Einführung in die Landeskunde Frankreichs, München, Metzler.
• Wagner/Morgenroth (2002): Wirtschaftslexikon Frankreich. Definitionen - Übersetzungshilfen -Glossare, Ismaning, Hueber.

a. Application & Careers

Knowledge and Understanding:

• will have a broad knowledge of career factors in the field of international business derived from sources in English;
• will know key principles and techniques of career planning based on the study of sources in English;
• have become familiar with career opportunities and requirements in the field of international business;
• understand the importance of career planning, job applications, and job interviews;
• understand how to combine facts and figures from different fields of knowledge in English.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to

• effectively handle key aspects of career planning;
• understand and utilize key success factors in application processes;
• produce effective CVs/resumes and cover letters;
• apply techniques for effective performance in job interviews and
• understand the available options and assess the implications of pursuing a graduate degree

Communication and Cooperation:

The students

• lead and coordinate teams in a results-oriented manner;
• present and defend team results in a complex and demanding environment; and
• participate effectively in various types of classroom communication.

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism:

Students are able to

• apply their knowledge of career success factors and application techniques to develop their labor market profiles in a sustainable manner;
• reflect on their strengths and weaknesses in terms of employability
• develop personal career planning and job application strategies

b. Business Communication Simulation

Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon completion of the course, students

• understand the importance of structure and design in presentations.
• are familiar with strategies for engagement and autonomy and know how to apply them effectively.
• recognize the role of visuals in enhancing presentations.
• grasp the use and functions of meeting-specific and presentation-specific language.
• comprehend the significance of agendas, minutes, and action plans.
• are aware of the unique challenges encountered in international meetings.
• understand the responsibilities of the chair and the minute taker in meetings.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

Upon completing the course, students will be able to

• anticipate and address the needs and expectations of their presentation audience
• select, structure, and communicate essential information successfully
• analyze and discuss complex problems systematically
• use appropriate conversation strategies
• chair and participate in effective international team meetings
• write clear and well-structured meeting minutes and action plans

Communication and Cooperation:

Students can

• cooperate constructively within a team
• manage and share responsibility
• deal with time constraints
• give and receive constructive feedback and use it to their advantage
• handle differences of opinion and conflict appropriately
• negotiate creative solutions to complex problems

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism:

The students can

• make autonomous decisions regarding their company’s concept and its market position
• make independent decisions during discussions of complex problems (meetings)
• handle ambiguous situations with confidence
• define their own objectives and present them convincingly (presentation)
• research foreign markets effectively

a. Applications & Careers

The course provides students with a foundation for their career strategies by analyzing career planning techniques, labor market opportunities and requirements in international business, and techniques for effective applications.

Topics

• Careers: Planning, priorities, and success factors
• Internships: Opportunities and requirements
• Distinguishing features in applications
• Writing effective CVs/resumes and cover letters
• Conducting job interviews both as an interviewer and an interviewee
• Graduate degrees and international business schools

b. Business Communication Simulation

• Applying appropriate communication and management skills in a business setting
• Developing a business concept
• Developing awareness of one’s role as a team member and as a company representative
• Analyzing and defining one’s own and the audience’s objectives as the basis for effective business presentations
• Designing and delivering effective business presentations based on the analysis
• Analyzing complex problems as the basis for decision-making procedures in team meetings

a. Application & Careers

Editors of MacGraw-Hill. 2006. Resumes for Business Management Careers. London: MacGraw-Hill International

Leigh, J. 2004. CVs and Job Applications. Oxford: OUP

Managing Your Career 2007. Harvard Lessons Learned. Boston: HarvardBusinessSchool Press

McMunn, R. 2011. Application Forms: How to Complete Them for Success in Your Job Applications. The Testing Series. (no place): How2Become

Schürmann, K., Mullins, S. 2005. Die perfekte Bewerbungsmappe auf Englisch. Anschreiben, Le-benslauf und Bewerbungsformular. Länderspezifische Tipps. Frankfurt a.M.: Eichborn

b. Business Communication Simulation

Coursebook (can be downloaded)

De Jongste, H. (2023). Towards a survey of Difference in Preferred Meeting Styles across Cultures. In Business and Professional Communication Quarterly

Köhler, T., Gölz, M. (2015). Meetings across Cultures: Cultural Differences in Meeting Expectations and Processes. In J.A. Allen, N. Lehmann-Willenbrock, S.G. Rogelberg (eds.). The handbook of Meeting Science. New York: Cambridge University Press, pp. 119-150

Köhler, T., Tenzer, H., Cramton, C.D. (2023). Culture-driven scripts for Meetings: An integrative Theoretical Lens for Studying Workplace meetings. In Organizational Psychology Review 13 (4), pp. 400-428

a. Business Informatics

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired the following competencies:

Knowledge and Understanding:

• You will know what business informatics is and how it relates to selected other disciplines.
• You will know what information systems are and how they can be used to solve business problems through various types of application software.
• They understand the importance of the software development process and requirements analysis in modern companies.
• They understand, from an application-oriented perspective, how value can be generated through the use of database systems, Web 2.0, data science, and process mining.

Application, Use, and Knowledge Creation:

• You can assess and justify the importance of business informatics.
• You can make well-informed decisions regarding the use of off-the-shelf software or the development of custom software.
• You can contribute to various stages of the software development process and convey the importance of collaborative requirements gathering.
• You can evaluate individual components of modern information systems with regard to their contribution to value creation.

Communication and Cooperation:

• You can assess challenges associated with the use of modern information systems and contribute to discussions on developing solutions.
• You can comprehensively describe requirements for modern information systems.
• You can identify and respond to resistance from involved stakeholders.

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism:

• You can advocate for business informatics as the structural foundation of modern information systems and monitor its influence on current developments.

b. IT Tools for Quantitative Analysis

Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon successful completion of the module, students will have the knowledge to:

• how Excel is structured and what functions it provides
• how to design tables and create charts that can be used in presentations in a business context
• how business management issues can be addressed quantitatively using software tools
• how simple Python programs are structured and how they can be used for calculations and analyses

Application, Use, and Knowledge Generation:

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• formulate Excel formulas and use them to perform analyses on existing data
• visualize data using graphs
• evaluate structured data and perform quantitative analyses
• create and apply simple scripts

Communication and Cooperation:

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• explain the procedures for using the tools and illustrate them with concrete examples
• discuss various approaches to quantitative analysis and exchange ideas on possible procedures

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism:

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• integrate into a professional environment where proficiency in using IT tools for quantitative analysis is a required basic skill
• independently learn additional functions and methods for quantitative analysis using Excel or Python and expand their knowledge (Lifelong Learning)

a. Business Informatics

• Onboarding
• Starting Point for Business Informatics
• Basic Concepts of Business Informatics
• Introduction to Our Case Study
• Hardware
• Information Systems
• Information Processing
• Communication Networks/Internet/Cloud Systems
• Software
• Distinction Between System & Application Software
• Off-the-Shelf vs. Custom Software
• Types of Application Software
• Software Development Process
• Requirements Analysis
• Database Systems
• Electronic Business
• Web 2.0
• Data Protection
• Data Science
• Business Intelligence
• Process Mining

b. IT Tools for Quantitative Analysis

In the wake of digitalization, quantitative tools are playing an increasingly important role in companies. Currently, the spreadsheet program Microsoft Excel remains the most widely used tool for quantitative analysis in applied business administration due to its numerous options for collecting, presenting, and evaluating tabular data. This course covers both basic and advanced Excel techniques in the context of selected quantitative methods in business administration. In addition, students will learn the fundamentals of creating simple Python scripts as an introduction to programming. The course covers:

• Entering data, editing data, formatting table layouts, editing table structures
• Developing simple Excel formulas, using cell references, managing worksheets
• applying basic Excel techniques to examples of specific business management tasks, e.g., interest calculations, periodic
• income statements, calculating key performance indicators, ABC analysis, break-even analysis
• constructing nested formulas, monitoring formulas
• creating Excel charts, using specialized charting techniques
• applying advanced Excel techniques to specific business management scenarios
• Creating simple Python scripts that teach the basic elements of programming. These include conditions, loops, data types such as lists and dictionaries, as well as basic concepts of object-oriented programming with classes and methods.

After successfully completing the module, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Define key concepts of marketing.
• Understand the theoretical foundations of marketing and apply them to explain the behavior of consumers, businesses, and competitors.
• Explain the fundamentals of market research processes and their importance for effective marketing decisions.
• Describe conceptual approaches, models, and tools of strategic and operational marketing.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

• Evaluate and compare the advantages and disadvantages of various marketing methods, models, and tools.
• Apply the elements of the marketing mix to a real or fictional business scenario.
• Apply analytical marketing methods in real or simulated case studies.
• Analyze, interpret, and derive target group-specific insights from marketing-related data.

Communication and Cooperation:

• Communicate their questions, approaches, and results in the form of presentations to both experts and non-experts.
• Discuss their approaches and proposed solutions with experts.

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism:

• Critically reflect on the accuracy of professional and practical marketing statements.
• Independently work on scientific and practice-oriented tasks in the field of marketing.
• Recognize their own professional limitations and consult appropriate sources or experts.

The course provides a comprehensive and application-oriented overview of the tools, methods, and concepts of marketing. Specifically, the following key topics are covered:

• Fundamentals of Marketing: Terminology, significance, and trends
• Theoretical Perspective: Understanding key constructs of consumer behavior, including information perception, processing, and storage
• Information-Based Perspective: Overview of the relevance of market research, knowledge of its functions and key concepts, and detailed insight into the steps of the market research process
• Strategic Perspective: Understanding the importance of strategic knowledge, an overview of the concept and characteristics of marketing strategies, and knowledge of the strategy development process in marketing, with a focus on analyzing the strategic starting position
• Instrumental Perspective: Overview of the fundamentals and key decision areas within the marketing mix:
• Product Policy: Product typologies, the innovation process, product design, and brand management
• Pricing Policy: The importance of pricing policy and pricing methods
• Distribution/Sales Policy: Vertical sales decisions and design options for horizontal distribution channel structures
• Communication Policy: Key communication objectives, planning, implementation, and control of communication measures, and selection of digital communication tools

a. Annual Financial Statements

Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will know the standards on which the annual financial statements of a legally independent company in Germany are based. Students are familiar with the objectives of annual financial statements under commercial law and their connection to the tax balance sheet. Students understand the relationship between the objectives of annual financial statements under commercial law and the principles of proper accounting. Students are familiar with the key regulations governing the recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities, as well as the structure of the balance sheet and income statement of a corporation. Students are aware of the importance of the annual financial statements and the management report for a company’s communication with its stakeholders.

Application, Use, and Generation of Knowledge:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to apply the legal requirements for annual financial statements to practical examples and business transactions, analyze annual financial statements, and draw conclusions about a company’s financial position from them.

Communication and Cooperation:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to use technical terminology to communicate, discuss, and resolve issues related to annual financial statements in collaboration with other students.

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to develop solutions to more advanced questions regarding annual financial statements with the help of academic sources, particularly commentaries.

b. Cost, Revenue, and Income Statement

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to …

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Explain the effects of value flows and business transactions within a company on costs, revenues, and corporate performance.
• explain key concepts, methods, and procedures in cost accounting.
• explain the suitability of selected cost accounting methods and procedures for specific problems.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

• Apply cost accounting methods and procedures to cost accounting problems and tasks and analyze the results.
• Independently review lecture material using the recommended reading list.
• Independently research, select, and apply solutions for unfamiliar business transactions.

Communication and Cooperation:

• Use technical terms correctly.
• Explain technical terms simply and clearly to people without specialized knowledge.
• Work together in groups to tackle and solve tasks in a structured manner.

Academic Self-Awareness / Professionalism:

• Recognize how accounting information supports decision-making and how this relates to the scope for discretion and flexibility in internal accounting.
• Realistically assess one’s own professional competencies and reflect on when professional support is necessary.

a. Financial Statements

• Definition and Components of Financial Statements
• Legal Basis
• General Provisions
• Fundamentals of Balance Sheet Presentation
• Fundamentals of Valuation
• Fundamentals of the Income Statement

b. Cost, Revenue, and Income Statement

• Introduction to Cost Accounting
• Cost-Element Accounting
• Cost-Center Accounting (esp. Internal Activity Allocation)
• Cost Estimation (Unit-of-Cost Accounting)
• Operating Income Statement (Time-Based Cost Accounting)
• Cost Accounting Systems (Sales-Based Costing and Full-Costing)
• Full-Cost Accounting and Partial-Cost Accounting
• Break-Even Analysis
• Contribution Margin Analysis

a. Contract Law in Business

• Overview of the fundamentals of law, the structure of legal norms, and their interpretation
• Fundamental principles of civil law, such as private autonomy, the separation principle, and the abstraction principle, and their application in contract drafting
• Classification of different types of contracts and determination of the applicable legal provisions
• Fundamentals of credit security law, particularly with regard to advance performance in a contractual relationship
• Concluding contracts in both analog and digital form in compliance with the legally prescribed form
• Use of agents and messengers for the conclusion and drafting of contracts
• Breach of contract, termination of contracts, and consumer protection using the examples of sales contracts and contracts for work and services

b. Private Commercial Law

• Basic Structures of Private Commercial Law
• Fundamental Principles of Commercial Law, with Special Emphasis on International Commercial Relations
• Overview of the most commonly used corporate forms in practice, with particular attention to cross-border business and incorporation processes.
• Legal structuring using instruments from corporate and labor law.

• recognize basic vocabulary and expressions commonly used in commercial communication in Spanish
• understand key content in simple materials related to the Spanish or Latin American workplace, such as short texts, dialogs, or videos
• learn basic phrases and structures relevant to professional communication in Spanish

• develop their methodological competence by acquiring skills for job applications, workplace communication, and handling unfamiliar situations
• become familiar with the methodology of Spanish terminology and phraseology in order to develop their written and oral communication skills in general everyday, business, and professional language

• acquire social and communicative skills necessary for developing key competencies as well as for dealing with differences in mindset and cultural contexts
• practice audience-oriented presentation of work results in the foreign language 

• practice grammatical structures of Spanish business terminology 
• are able to develop their own learning strategies for further career-related language acquisition
• critically reflect on the economic differences between Spain, Latin America, and their own country

Reader
Berufsorientierter Spanischkurs für Anfänger. Difusión: Barcelona

Gisele Prost/Alfredo Noriega (2016): Al día (inkl. CD)

Brunengo, Andrés (2015): Wirtschaftsspanisch für Berufseinsteiger, UTB

Schitzer Johannes, Jordi Martí (Hrsg) 2014: Wirtschaftsspanisch: Terminologisches Handbuch-Manual de lenguaje económico (Lehr und Handbuch), Oldenburg Verlag

• understand and identify the basic grammatical structures of the indicative and imperative moods 
• acquire specialized knowledge related to the semester’s topics and broaden their subject-specific expertise regarding Spain and Latin America as components of the global economic markets
• internalize the concept of branding (brand and marketing) 
• analyze various types of brands using representative, internationally active Spanish and Latin American companies as examples
• critically examine the main characteristics of branding (advantages and disadvantages) and the criticism of emotional branding
• critically examine the phenomenon of new nationalism in Spain and the dangers it poses to the EU and international markets
• learn about new manifestations of new nationalism, xenophobia, aggression, populism, and advertising

• practice oral and written expression in a foreign language in authentic business situations,
• practice reading and listening comprehension in a foreign language using various media,
• develop their analytical skills in working with texts and other media (summarizing key points, commenting, discussing),
• explore the benefits and limitations of comparative methods with regard to the current economic situation in Spain 

• practice completing tasks in the foreign language through partner and group work
• practice presenting their work results to an audience in the foreign language

• apply their newly acquired general and specialized vocabulary, stylistic devices, and grammatical structures,
• formulate hypotheses in the foreign language, weigh alternatives, and propose their own solutions,
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of audience-oriented presentations, both their own and those of their fellow students 

• Globalization: Concept, Definition, Historical Development
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Globalization for Various Economic Sectors
• Traditional Marketing: Basic Concepts, 4Ps, Marketing Strategies
• Digital Marketing: Online Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing
• Branding
• Case studies on Spanish and Latin American companies
• Concept: Supranationalism/Regionalism
• Different forms of regionalism in Spain

• Seminar-style instruction with interactive elements
• Partner and group work
• Language exercises (written and oral)
• Use of audiovisual media
• Self-paced online course

• Written exam (40%): 60 min.
• Oral exam (30%) (15–20 min.)
• Semester-long seminar project (30%): Video or presentation, up to 30 min., or workshops up to 60 min.

Gimber/Rodríguez Martín/ Schütz/Walter (2012): Spanien verstehen, Darmstadt, Wiss. Buchgemeinschaft

Nohlen/Hildenbrand (2005): Spanien. Wirtschaft – Gesellschaft – Politik. Ein Studienbuch, Wiesbaden, 2. Aufl., VS

Bernecker (2008)(Hrsg.): Spanien heute, Berlin, 2. Aufl., Vervuert

Zabaleta, Xabier „Una historia de las lenguas y los nacionalismos” (2010), Barcelona editorial Gedisa

De la Dehesa, Guillermo “Quo vadis Europa” (2014) Madrid, 1.Aufl. 2014 Editorial Alianza

Sangri, coral, Alberto “Introducción a la mercadotecnia” (2014) México, Editorial Patria

Tracy, Brian „Mercadotecnia“ (2016) Editorial La biblioteca del éxito

Flash ensayo (HRSG)  “Las claves de la crisis catalana en 21 artículos” (2018) Editorial Flash

Ignatieff, Michael „Sangre y pertenencia, viajes al nuevo nacionalismo“ (2016) Madrid, Editorial mal paso

Cáceres Lorenzo, Tersa; Marina Díaz Peralta “Ortografía” (2013) Madrid Editorial Anaya

Carrasquedo, Olga „Basiswortschatz Business Spanisch, Die 2000 wichtigsten Wörter“ (2017) Verlag compact

• Students deepen their subject-specific expertise to better understand France as a trading partner.
• They gain an understanding of the internal processes within a French company.
• They acquire knowledge of the various phases, from company formation to customer acquisition and sales.
• They develop an awareness of cultural differences in the professional environment.
• They are able to integrate knowledge from various disciplines.
• They learn to understand, analyze, and summarize texts written in business terminology.

• In a simulated environment, students establish global companies and engage in dialogue with one another.
• Conducting role-plays in French and simulating authentic business situations such as phone calls, meetings, and email correspondence.
• Strengthening methodological competence through the use of analytical methods.
• Analyzing texts and communicating both orally and in writing in professional contexts.
• Possesses a fairly broad range of language to describe unpredictable situations, explain the main point of a problem or idea with sufficient precision, and express thoughts on abstract topics.
• Can adapt their style of expression to handle less familiar or even difficult situations.
• Can explain the main points of an idea or problem with sufficient accuracy.

• Students acquire the social and communication skills necessary to develop key competencies.
• Students develop teamwork skills, supported by planning exercises, role-playing, and other activities.

• Students can independently navigate complex work or academic contexts and shape them in a sustainable manner.
• They can work on independent projects.
• They have the ability to independently manage and further develop their own learning process.

• Writing Professional Emails (Introduction to polite expressions and formal communication.)
• Meetings and Presentations
• Negotiations and Business Arguments

• Business and Trade Terms
• Job- and industry-specific vocabulary.
• Idiomatic expressions and job-related phraseology.

• Written and oral comprehension of work-related documents
• Written and oral expression in a professional context
• Note-taking and summarizing techniques

• Mitchell, M./Fleuranceau, A. (2011), Pour parler affaires A2/B1, Klett : Stuttgart
• Dubois, AL, / Tauzin, B., (2016), Objectif Express 2 – Nouvelle édition, Hueber
• Spérandio / Opatski / Petitmengin / Pons / Djimli / Vedel, (2022), Edito A1 (2022) focus pro Unité 10, Didier FLE
• Spérandio / Dodin / Fafa / Gajdosova / Horquin / Pasquet / Perrard / Petitmengin, (2024), Edito A2 (2022) focus pro Unité 11, Didier FLE
• Heu / Gatin / Perrard / Petitmengin / Spérandio / Nicolas, (2023), Edito B1 (2023) focus pro Unité 9, avec renfort d’Edito Pro (2020) pour la préparation du DFP, Didier FLE
• Abou-Samra / Heu / Perrard / Caraco, (2022), Edito B2 (2023) focus pro Unité 3, Didier FLE
• Holle / Diogo / Maussire / Grimaud / Lauret, (2020), Édito Pro B1 – Livre + DVD-rom + didierfle.app, Didier FLE
• Penformis, (2018), Français.com B1 intermédiaire, 3e édition, Klett Sprachen
• Jegou / Paz Rosillo, (2016), Quartier d'affaires, CLE international

• Delouze-Krüger, M./Carau, G./Kern, R./Germann, H. (2002), Découverte de la France économique, Stuttgart: Klett
• Breuer, J.P./de Bartha, P.: Deutsch-Französische Geschäftsbeziehungen erfolgreich managen, (2012), Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden
• Davoine, J.-P./Davoine, E. (2002), Einführung in die französische Wirtschaftssprache, München:Franz Vahlen
• Lavric, E./Pichler, H. (2003), Wirtschaftsfranzösisch fehlerfrei - Le français économique sans fautes, München.
• Lüsebrink, H.-J. (2011), Einführung in die Landeskunde Frankreichs, 3. Auflage, Stuttgart: Metzler
• Perez, D.: CV, lettre de motivation, entretien d’embauche, (2014), L‘étudiant, Paris
• Pruvot-Büttner, C. (2010), Pons Bürokommunikation Französisch, Stuttgart: Klett

• expand their general language skills (vocabulary, grammar, stylistics),
• acquire specialized language skills related to the semester’s topics,
• expand their expertise regarding France as an economic region,
• learn about various French companies operating internationally,
• recognize the characteristics of franchising and its significance for economic life.

• deepen their analytical skills by analyzing and summarizing key messages in foreign-language business situations,
• enhance their understanding of various media content through exercises in foreign-language reading and listening comprehension,
• improve their understanding of authentic business situations by discussing and explaining business concepts and strategies through oral and written expression,
• express themselves clearly and concisely, without restrictions on how they formulate what they want to say,
• reliably convey detailed information.

• practice completing tasks in the foreign language through partner and group work,
• practice presenting their work results to an audience in the foreign language.

• apply their newly acquired general and specialized vocabulary, stylistic devices, and grammatical structures,
• formulate hypotheses in the foreign language, weigh alternatives, and propose independent solutions,
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of audience-oriented presentations in their own work and that of their peers,
• have the ability to independently manage and further develop their own learning process,
• are willing to engage in continuous professional development and to incorporate new developments in language instruction.

• Economic Actors : Identify and describe different types of workers, classify businesses, and explore the role of the government in the economy.
• Business Correspondence : Distinguish between the stages of the sales process, compare methods of placing orders, and file complaints via email or phone.
• Practical Skills: Develop skills in professional communication, project management, and research applied to the business world.
• Entrepreneurs: Analyze the profile of an entrepreneur, financing options, and the formalities involved in starting a business.
• Marketing : Conduct market research, segment and position products, and draft advertising messages.
• Contemporary Issues : Understand the principles of financial management, intercultural management, and the challenges of sustainable development.

• Penformis, (2017), Affaires.com - Niveau avancé (B2-C1), 3. Auflage, CLE international

• Baasner/Manac’h/ von Schumann : (2008): Points de vue – Sichtweisen. France -Allemagne, un regard comparé. Deutschland – Frankreich, ein vergleichender Blick. Frankfurt / Main, NDV Éditions Doumic.
• Barmeyer/Schlierer/Seidel (2007): Wirtschaftsmodell Frankreich. Märkte, Unternehmen, Manager. Frankfurt/New York, Campus.
• Große/Lüger, Heinz Helmut. (7 2008). Frankreich verstehen, Darmstadt, Wiss Buchgesellschaft
• Lüsebrink (2 2003). Einführung in die Landeskunde Frankreichs, München, Metzler.
• Wagner/Morgenroth (2002): Wirtschaftslexikon Frankreich. Definitionen - Übersetzungshilfen -Glossare, Ismaning, Hueber.

a. Investment and Financing

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Upon successful completion of the module, students will have a fundamental conceptual understanding of corporate finance and will be familiar with its key issues.
• In addition, students will gain an overview of the tasks involved in financial management and will be able to explain and contextualize the core concepts of financial management.
• Students will be able to understand the most important instruments of internal and external financing and evaluate them on a case-by-case basis.
• Students will master methods of investment analysis under both certain and uncertain conditions.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

• Furthermore, students can assess a company’s financial situation using financial ratios.
• Students are also equipped to prepare liquidity and financial plans.
• Likewise, students can apply investment appraisal methods to practical decision-making problems, taking financing requirements into account.
• Students can analyze and decide which financing instruments should be used to meet capital needs.

Communication and Cooperation:

• Students are able to explain the results of exercises and case studies and to evaluate the selection of alternative courses of action using reasoned arguments.
• In addition, they can critically examine the appropriateness of applying various investment methods and financing instruments.

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism:

• Finally, students acquire the knowledge and techniques needed to solve financing and investment problems independently and appropriately, and they understand the limitations of theory when applied to practical problems.

b. Taxes
Knowledge and Understanding:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be fundamentally able to …

• explain the basic concepts of national tax law
• understand legal texts
• to understand the fundamentals of income tax law (income tax, corporate income tax, and trade tax) as well as the fundamentals of other types of taxes (value-added tax, inheritance and gift tax, and surtaxes)
• identify the personal and factual tax liability of a natural or legal person
• determine the applicable taxes for different legal forms
• understand the formulas for calculating tax liability

Application, use, and generation of knowledge:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be fundamentally able to …

• Examine issues in national tax law
• Analyze the tax implications of each type of tax
• Perform tax calculations
• Compare and evaluate the basic features of the tax burden for different legal forms

Communication and cooperation:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to …

• Present the legal elements and legal consequences at an appropriate level of abstraction
• To describe the tax implications of different types of taxes using technical terminology and statutory provisions, and to discuss them with others

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to …

• shift their perspective on the subject matter depending on the taxpayer

a. Investment and Financing

• Introduction to Issues in Corporate Finance
• Financial Analysis and Financial Planning
• Internal Financing
• Investment Analysis Under Certainty
• Investment Analysis Methods Under Uncertainty and Risk
• External Financing Options for Publicly Traded and Non-Publicly Traded Companies
• Aspects of Corporate Capital Structure Design

b. Taxes

• Basic Concepts of Taxation
• National Basic Rules Governing the Tax Liability of Individuals and Legal Entities
• Income Taxes, Property Taxes, Excise Taxes, and Consumption Taxes
• Taxation of Sole Proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations

Literatur jeweils in aktueller Auflage:

a. Investition und Finanzierung

Pape, U.: Grundlagen der Finanzierung und Investition, Berlin (De Gruyter Oldenbourg).

Levin, F.: Investition und Finanzierung in: B. Camphausen (Hrsg): Grundlagen der Betriebswirtschaftslehre, München (De Gruyter Oldenburg).

Bösch, Martin: Finanzwirtschaft, München (Vahlen).

Hillier, D.; Ross, S. A.; Westerfield, R. W.; Jaffe, J.; Jordan, B.: Corporate Finance, New York (McGraw-Hill).

Perridon, L.; Steiner, M.; Rathgeber, A.: Finanzwirtschaft der Unternehmung, München (Vahlen).

b. Steuern

Hubert, Tina: Unternehmenssteuern, Herne (Kiehl)

Stobbe, Thomas: Steuern kompakt, Berlin (Wissenschaft und Praxis)

a. Organization

Upon successful completion of the “Organization” course, students will be able to …

Knowledge and Understanding:

• describe the various levels of organizational design along with their key decisions and understand how they relate to one another
• derive statements about consistent combinations of decision options or alternative characteristics
• against the backdrop of defined corporate goals, to systematize criteria for evaluating organizational design actions and to assess these in terms of their interactions

Application, Use, and Generation of Knowledge:

• analyze organizational problems while taking into account a company’s key objectives and strategies, and—using the relevant knowledge base in organizational theory—design a solution appropriate to the situation and justify it using established evaluation criteria
• Describe the key tasks involved in implementing an organizational solution (development of an original organizational concept, carrying out a reorganization) in a problem-oriented manner and, in this context, create the necessary implementation materials (organization chart, process diagram, etc.)

Communication and Cooperation:

• communicate organizational action requirements within affected work teams and/or in the broader corporate context
• collaboratively evaluate organizational options for action and justify the solutions found

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism:

• To assess the significance of organizational theories, methods, and concepts for solving practically relevant problems in division-of-labor systems with both nonprofit and for-profit orientations.

b. Human Resources

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Students understand fundamental concepts, theories, and models of human resources management.
• They can explain different approaches to recruitment, development, leadership, compensation, and termination.
• Students are familiar with the legal framework of labor law relevant to human resources management.
• They understand the importance of a diverse and inclusive work environment and are familiar with methods to promote it.

Application, Use, and Generation of Knowledge:

• Students are able to apply their knowledge of human resource management tools to real-world cases and use them to solve these cases.
• They can develop human resources management strategies that contribute to achieving organizational goals.
• They can link existing knowledge with the results of their own research to solve new problems as well.

Communication and Cooperation:

• Students develop teamwork skills by coordinating and leading teams in a results-oriented manner. They can discuss appropriate solutions with fellow students as well as subject matter experts and present their arguments persuasively.
• Students know how to identify conflicts in the workplace and develop strategies to resolve them.

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism:

• Students can critically reflect on academic findings and apply them in the practice of human resources management.
• Students are able to learn independently and continuously further their education in their field.
• They can apply research methods in the field of human resource management to investigate issues and develop solutions.

a. Organization

Students learn the fundamentals of organizational design in companies. Specifically, the course covers:

• Organizational design as a management task
• Organizational concepts and perspectives
• An overview of organizational decision-making areas and their interrelationships
• Organizational goals and evaluation criteria
• Selected approaches in organizational theory (in particular: situational approach, consistency approach)
• Organization and the behavior of groups and individuals
• Structural organizational decisions (at the corporate, divisional, and functional levels)
• Workflow and process organization

b. Human Resources

Teaching the fundamentals of human resource management and its role within the context of business management functions against the backdrop of current challenges:

• Introduction to HRM
• Fundamentals of labor law and employee participation
• Job design and workforce planning
• Recruitment and selection
• Workforce Deployment and Management
• Human Resources Development and Competency Management
• Performance Evaluation
• Fundamentals of Compensation Management
• HR Controlling and People Analytics
• Organization of the HR Function

a. Business Management

Upon successful completion of the Business Management course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Students are familiar with the key requirements and responsibilities of business management. They are also familiar with the methods and concepts, as well as the theoretical perspectives and insights, of a fact-based approach to business management. Students are familiar with the management functions of planning, organizing, and controlling. In particular, students are able to understand normative issues in corporate management and planning as an information-processing process for corporate development and goal-oriented decision-making.

Students can define basic concepts of business management, understand the theoretical foundations of business management, and apply these to explain the behavior of decision-makers, companies, and competitors.

In addition, they can explain and understand conceptual approaches, models, and tools, particularly those related to normative business management.

Application, Use, and Generation of Knowledge

Students can appropriately present and evaluate management methods and concepts in a problem-oriented manner, as well as apply them to solve management problems; in doing so, they incorporate broader business contexts into their considerations. In particular, they learn to apply the methods of normative corporate management in a practical and application-oriented manner.

Furthermore, students are able to systematically apply the management process—comprising the stages of goal-setting, planning, decision-making, implementation, monitoring, and control—and to support it at appropriate points using planning, forecasting, and creativity techniques. They possess the ability to develop the basic elements of a coordinated (optimal) overall corporate plan in complex decision-making situations.

Communication and Cooperation

Students are trained to engage in professional discourse on issues of corporate management from the perspective of alternative viewpoints within the organization. They can communicate alternative perspectives in their research questions, approaches, and findings through presentations to experts and other stakeholders and discuss their approaches and proposed solutions.

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism

Students have the ability to address analytical and decision-making problems independently and in a goal-oriented manner and to develop appropriate solutions.

They can subjectively reflect on the accuracy of technical and practical statements regarding corporate management, independently tackle academic and practice-oriented tasks in the field of corporate management, and identify their own professional limitations and refer to appropriate sources.

b. Strategic Management

Upon successful completion of the “Business Management” course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Students possess foundational knowledge in strategic management and are familiar with the strategy development process, including the phases of goal setting and formulation, strategic analysis (consisting of environmental and corporate analysis) with the results of the SWOT analysis, and the subsequent derivation and selection of a strategy, strategy implementation, and strategic control.

This enables them to comprehensively understand the challenges they face in their professional lives as well as fundamental strategic management issues in companies and to address them using a methodical approach. Students possess a fundamental conceptual understanding of strategic management and its key management tools. They are able to identify the interrelationships between markets and companies and to derive measures (strategies) from these to ensure the company’s long-term success. Students can explain the different levels of strategy, recognize them in a practical context, and derive decision-making processes for strategy formulation in companies.

Students understand the complexity of changing markets (VUCA), recognize the resulting opportunities and threats for companies, and derive action strategies for companies based on their own strengths and weaknesses.

Overall, students acquire the following specialized knowledge based on the established standards of teaching and research in the field of Strategic Management:

• They demonstrate a broad foundation of knowledge in the areas of management—based on previously completed courses in economics—and in strategic management.
• They are familiar with the fundamentals and principles of Strategic Management (the principles of good corporate governance) as well as the methods and tools of business management practices and procedures.
• They can identify, abstract, and structure academic concepts (models, methods, literature, business structures, and processes) within organizations.
• You possess a broad base of knowledge regarding the essential fundamentals, theories, and methods in business administration, economics, and management, with in-depth knowledge in specific areas; you can explain these and apply them to business contexts.
• You are familiar with the key tasks of business functions and value-added areas, understand management-related processes and their interrelationships, and can apply this knowledge to business operations.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

Students are able to

• apply business administration, economics, and management fundamentals, theories, methods, and tools for business-related issues;
• to evaluate, differentiate, and categorize business, economic, and management-related problems in a business context;
• interpret and analyze interrelationships and interactions in complex economic, technical, and social fields of application;
• develop strategies for selected companies within their market environment;
• identify alternative courses of action to improve competitiveness in general and in relation to case studies, and defend them with sound arguments;
• understand and critically examine value-added structures and processes;
• Apply business management tools and techniques to develop, formulate, and implement corporate and business unit strategies;
• Effectively utilize modern information technologies.

Communication and Cooperation:

Students

• are familiar with oral and written communication techniques and can apply them based on selected business examples;
• are able to articulate themselves logically and rationally in both oral and written form based on their prior knowledge, as well as to communicate fundamentally about topics and issues related to strategic management within professional circles (communication competence);
• can identify corporate strategies to at least some extent, critically examine them, and propose approaches to increase a company’s competitiveness in specific situations.

Academic Self-Concept / Professionalism:

The course sensitizes students to the ability to assume leadership roles and implement business decisions based on an ethically reflective mindset, self-competence, and professionalism in order to act responsibly within the company.

Students

• critically reflect on their own professional competence through exercises, considering the diversity of management approaches from economic and business ethics perspectives,
• acquire basic knowledge to independently expand their knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking, and apply this knowledge to solve decision-making problems in corporate management,
• base their professional actions on a solid theoretical and methodological foundation in the core areas of strategic management,
• build their professional insights on goal orientation, interdisciplinarity, and a strong problem-solving mindset,
• take into account the principles and values of business and corporate ethics in their decisions,
• are able to understand and assess the economic, political, and social conditions of the business environment (assessment competence),
• are able to integrate directly into corporate projects and collaborate with partners at various levels through a sufficient practical focus in strategic management (social competence),
• are able to learn independently and pursue continuing education on their own (competence in independent, lifelong learning).

The module consists of two courses:

a. Corporate Management

This course provides a comprehensive and application-oriented overview of the tools, methods, and concepts of normative corporate management, as well as other fundamental aspects of corporate management.

Specifically, the following key topics are covered:

• Fundamentals of Business Management:
  • Terminology,
  • historical development, and trends
  • Industrial economics approach (market-based view), resource-based approach (resource-based view)
  • The classic sequence of the planning and decision-making process
• Normative corporate governance
  • Corporate objectives: Definition, operationalization, stakeholders, relationships between objectives, functions and mechanisms of action, vision, mission, and corporate philosophy
  • Corporate Constitution: Characteristics and purpose, legal foundations, principal-agent theory, corporate governance, case studies
  • Corporate culture: Characteristics and elements, case studies

b. Strategic Management

The course aims to provide a practical overview of fundamental issues in strategic management. The course focuses on examining the strategy development process in its five distinct phases. These include:

• the goal-setting and planning phase, in which strategic objectives are developed based on the company’s philosophy and policies,
• the strategic analysis phase, which addresses corporate and environmental analysis as well as forecasting and early warning,
• the strategy formulation phase, in which strategies are formulated, evaluated, and selected; and
• the strategy implementation phase, in which the implementation of the strategy selected during the strategy formulation phase is planned, and measures for its implementation are subsequently defined; as well as
• the strategic control phase, comprising the sub-steps of premise review, implementation control, and strategic monitoring, which concludes the strategic management process.

This course not only provides an introduction to the methodological tools of strategic management but also conveys an understanding of its diversity, relevance, challenges, and limitations. The most important trends and challenges in strategic management are outlined. Accordingly, the course is enriched with examples from business practice, short case studies, and other current references. To facilitate the learning process, the accompanying course materials include exercises, discussion questions, and references for further reading.

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

• Students know the difference between national law, international law, and supranational law.
• They have a broad understanding of the legal framework governing international business and legal transactions.
• They develop basic knowledge on a number of important topics in public international law, including the sources of public international law, the relationship between international and national law, state responsibility, the international protection of human rights, and treaty law.
• They use databases on international law and can apply them to different cases.
• They can describe the varying levels of complexity in expatriate contracts.
• They are able to distinguish between the different roles of supranational and national legislation and jurisdiction.

• analyze, understand, and describe legal texts, their content, and context,
• work independently with the provisions of international agreements and various national laws and link them in accordance with the hierarchy of norms,
• detect and identify risks associated with different types of international private contracts within a multinational enterprise or group,
• use techniques to analyze the pros and cons for the parties to an international contract,
• distinguish between the primacy of supranational law and its relationship to national and European law,
• apply international treaties in a multilateral context to specific subjects such as environmental and human rights issues,
• recognize and evaluate insights into international law issues in the context of general value assessments.

• lead and coordinate teams in a results-oriented environment,
• present and prudently defend their own research findings to fellow students,
• write an essay to academic standards and use legal sources.

• manage and transform work or study contexts that are complex, unpredictable, and require new strategic approaches,
• reflect on a company’s operational challenges in the context of social values,
• the interplay between legal regulation and the institutional framework and the strategic direction of a company or institution, and are able to form their own opinions on these matters,
• develop independent projects and ideas, and act professionally in an international environment. 

• Principles of international law and the fundamental treaties and agreements
• Differences between international, European, and national legislation and how they function in practice
• Significance of international legal institutions (WTO, UNCITRAL, International Criminal Court)
• Dispute settlement mechanisms at the international level (arbitration and dispute settlement bodies)
• Specific legal provisions of international treaties in the fields of human rights, the environment, and trade

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

• The IASB’s organization
• The due process
• The IASB’s framework
• The contents of financial statements
• Recognition and measurement of the elements of financial statements
• Tangible and intangible fixed assets
• Inventories
• Financial assets, liabilities, and equity

• Exam: 60 minutes (60%) 
• Group assignment: max 30 double-spaced pages, max 5-minute video presentation, and individual reflection survey (40%)

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

• expand their general language skills (vocabulary, grammar, stylistics),
• acquire specialized language skills related to the semester’s topics,
• expand their expertise regarding France as an economic region,
• learn about various French companies operating internationally,
• recognize the characteristics of franchising and its significance for economic life.

• deepen their analytical skills by analyzing and summarizing key messages in foreign-language business situations,
• enhance their understanding of various media content through exercises in foreign-language reading and listening comprehension,
• improve their understanding of authentic business situations by discussing and explaining business concepts and strategies through oral and written expression,
• express themselves clearly and concisely, without restrictions on how they formulate what they want to say,
• reliably convey detailed information.

• practice completing tasks in the foreign language through partner and group work,
• practice presenting their work results to an audience in the foreign language.

• apply their newly acquired general and specialized vocabulary, stylistic devices, and grammatical structures,
• formulate hypotheses in the foreign language, weigh alternatives, and propose independent solutions,
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of audience-oriented presentations in their own work and that of their peers,
• have the ability to independently manage and further develop their own learning process,
• are willing to engage in continuous professional development and to incorporate new developments in language instruction.

• Economic Actors : Identify and describe different types of workers, classify businesses, and explore the role of the government in the economy.
• Business Correspondence : Distinguish between the stages of the sales process, compare methods of placing orders, and file complaints via email or phone.
• Practical Skills: Develop skills in professional communication, project management, and research applied to the business world.
• Entrepreneurs: Analyze the profile of an entrepreneur, financing options, and the formalities involved in starting a business.
• Marketing : Conduct market research, segment and position products, and draft advertising messages.
• Contemporary Issues : Understand the principles of financial management, intercultural management, and the challenges of sustainable development.

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

• Students know the difference between national law, international law, and supranational law.
• They have a broad understanding of the legal framework governing international business and legal transactions.
• They develop basic knowledge on a number of important topics in public international law, including the sources of public international law, the relationship between international and national law, state responsibility, the international protection of human rights, and treaty law.
• They use databases on international law and can apply them to different cases.
• They can describe the varying levels of complexity in expatriate contracts.
• They are able to distinguish between the different roles of supranational and national legislation and jurisdiction.

• analyze, understand, and describe legal texts, their content, and context,
• work independently with the provisions of international agreements and various national laws and link them in accordance with the hierarchy of norms,
• detect and identify risks associated with different types of international private contracts within a multinational enterprise or group,
• use techniques to analyze the pros and cons for the parties to an international contract,
• distinguish between the primacy of supranational law and its relationship to national and European law,
• apply international treaties in a multilateral context to specific subjects such as environmental and human rights issues,
• recognize and evaluate insights into international law issues in the context of general value assessments.

• lead and coordinate teams in a results-oriented environment,
• present and prudently defend their own research findings to fellow students,
• write an essay to academic standards and use legal sources.

• manage and transform work or study contexts that are complex, unpredictable, and require new strategic approaches,
• reflect on a company’s operational challenges in the context of social values,
• the interplay between legal regulation and the institutional framework and the strategic direction of a company or institution, and are able to form their own opinions on these matters,
• develop independent projects and ideas, and act professionally in an international environment. 

• Principles of international law and the fundamental treaties and agreements
• Differences between international, European, and national legislation and how they function in practice
• Significance of international legal institutions (WTO, UNCITRAL, International Criminal Court)
• Dispute settlement mechanisms at the international level (arbitration and dispute settlement bodies)
• Specific legal provisions of international treaties in the fields of human rights, the environment, and trade

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

• recognize basic vocabulary and expressions commonly used in commercial communication in Spanish
• understand key content in simple materials related to the Spanish or Latin American workplace, such as short texts, dialogs, or videos
• learn basic phrases and structures relevant to professional communication in Spanish

• develop their methodological competence by acquiring skills for job applications, workplace communication, and handling unfamiliar situations
• become familiar with the methodology of Spanish terminology and phraseology in order to develop their written and oral communication skills in general everyday, business, and professional language

• acquire social and communicative skills necessary for developing key competencies as well as for dealing with differences in mindset and cultural contexts
• practice audience-oriented presentation of work results in the foreign language 

• practice grammatical structures of Spanish business terminology 
• are able to develop their own learning strategies for further career-related language acquisition
• critically reflect on the economic differences between Spain, Latin America, and their own country

• Places of Residence: Comparison and Vocabulary Related to Home Offices and Offices
• Phone Calls at the Office and Scheduling Appointments 
• Description of the Work Environment and Employment Conditions in Spain and Latin America
• Writing a Resume and Cover Letter for a Job Application, Important Qualities of a Job Seeker, Vacation Days
• Comparison of the past and the present
• Company classification/organizational charts

• Written exam (40%): 60 minutes
• Oral exam (30%): (15–20 minutes)
• Semester-long seminar project (30%): Video or short presentation, up to 10 min. / max. 3 written texts (up to 150 words)

Reader
Berufsorientierter Spanischkurs für Anfänger. Difusión: Barcelona

Gisele Prost/Alfredo Noriega (2016): Al día (inkl. CD)

Brunengo, Andrés (2015): Wirtschaftsspanisch für Berufseinsteiger, UTB

Schitzer Johannes, Jordi Martí (Hrsg) 2014: Wirtschaftsspanisch: Terminologisches Handbuch-Manual de lenguaje económico (Lehr und Handbuch), Oldenburg Verlag

• understand and identify the basic grammatical structures of the indicative and imperative moods 
• acquire specialized knowledge related to the semester’s topics and broaden their subject-specific expertise regarding Spain and Latin America as components of the global economic markets
• internalize the concept of branding (brand and marketing) 
• analyze various types of brands using representative, internationally active Spanish and Latin American companies as examples
• critically examine the main characteristics of branding (advantages and disadvantages) and the criticism of emotional branding
• critically examine the phenomenon of new nationalism in Spain and the dangers it poses to the EU and international markets
• learn about new manifestations of new nationalism, xenophobia, aggression, populism, and advertising

• practice oral and written expression in a foreign language in authentic business situations,
• practice reading and listening comprehension in a foreign language using various media,
• develop their analytical skills in working with texts and other media (summarizing key points, commenting, discussing),
• explore the benefits and limitations of comparative methods with regard to the current economic situation in Spain 

• practice completing tasks in the foreign language through partner and group work
• practice presenting their work results to an audience in the foreign language

• apply their newly acquired general and specialized vocabulary, stylistic devices, and grammatical structures,
• formulate hypotheses in the foreign language, weigh alternatives, and propose their own solutions,
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of audience-oriented presentations, both their own and those of their fellow students 

• Globalization: Concept, Definition, Historical Development
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Globalization for Various Economic Sectors
• Traditional Marketing: Basic Concepts, 4Ps, Marketing Strategies
• Digital Marketing: Online Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing
• Branding
• Case studies on Spanish and Latin American companies
• Concept: Supranationalism/Regionalism
• Different forms of regionalism in Spain

• Seminar-style instruction with interactive elements
• Partner and group work
• Language exercises (written and oral)
• Use of audiovisual media
• Self-paced online course

• Written exam (40%): 60 min.
• Oral exam (30%) (15–20 min.)
• Semester-long seminar project (30%): Video or presentation, up to 30 min., or workshops up to 60 min.

Gimber/Rodríguez Martín/ Schütz/Walter (2012): Spanien verstehen, Darmstadt, Wiss. Buchgemeinschaft

Nohlen/Hildenbrand (2005): Spanien. Wirtschaft – Gesellschaft – Politik. Ein Studienbuch, Wiesbaden, 2. Aufl., VS

Bernecker (2008)(Hrsg.): Spanien heute, Berlin, 2. Aufl., Vervuert

Zabaleta, Xabier „Una historia de las lenguas y los nacionalismos” (2010), Barcelona editorial Gedisa

De la Dehesa, Guillermo “Quo vadis Europa” (2014) Madrid, 1.Aufl. 2014 Editorial Alianza

Sangri, coral, Alberto “Introducción a la mercadotecnia” (2014) México, Editorial Patria

Tracy, Brian „Mercadotecnia“ (2016) Editorial La biblioteca del éxito

Flash ensayo (HRSG)  “Las claves de la crisis catalana en 21 artículos” (2018) Editorial Flash

Ignatieff, Michael „Sangre y pertenencia, viajes al nuevo nacionalismo“ (2016) Madrid, Editorial mal paso

Cáceres Lorenzo, Tersa; Marina Díaz Peralta “Ortografía” (2013) Madrid Editorial Anaya

Carrasquedo, Olga „Basiswortschatz Business Spanisch, Die 2000 wichtigsten Wörter“ (2017) Verlag compact

• Students know the difference between national law, international law, and supranational law.
• They have a broad understanding of the legal framework governing international business and legal transactions.
• They develop basic knowledge on a number of important topics in public international law, including the sources of public international law, the relationship between international and national law, state responsibility, the international protection of human rights, and treaty law.
• They use databases on international law and can apply them to different cases.
• They can describe the varying levels of complexity in expatriate contracts.
• They are able to distinguish between the different roles of supranational and national legislation and jurisdiction.

• analyze, understand, and describe legal texts, their content, and context,
• work independently with the provisions of international agreements and various national laws and link them in accordance with the hierarchy of norms,
• detect and identify risks associated with different types of international private contracts within a multinational enterprise or group,
• use techniques to analyze the pros and cons for the parties to an international contract,
• distinguish between the primacy of supranational law and its relationship to national and European law,
• apply international treaties in a multilateral context to specific subjects such as environmental and human rights issues,
• recognize and evaluate insights into international law issues in the context of general value assessments.

• lead and coordinate teams in a results-oriented environment,
• present and prudently defend their own research findings to fellow students,
• write an essay to academic standards and use legal sources.

• manage and transform work or study contexts that are complex, unpredictable, and require new strategic approaches,
• reflect on a company’s operational challenges in the context of social values,
• the interplay between legal regulation and the institutional framework and the strategic direction of a company or institution, and are able to form their own opinions on these matters,
• develop independent projects and ideas, and act professionally in an international environment. 

• Principles of international law and the fundamental treaties and agreements
• Differences between international, European, and national legislation and how they function in practice
• Significance of international legal institutions (WTO, UNCITRAL, International Criminal Court)
• Dispute settlement mechanisms at the international level (arbitration and dispute settlement bodies)
• Specific legal provisions of international treaties in the fields of human rights, the environment, and trade

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

• Students deepen their subject-specific expertise to better understand France as a trading partner.
• They gain an understanding of the internal processes within a French company.
• They acquire knowledge of the various phases, from company formation to customer acquisition and sales.
• They develop an awareness of cultural differences in the professional environment.
• They are able to integrate knowledge from various disciplines.
• They learn to understand, analyze, and summarize texts written in business terminology.

• In a simulated environment, students establish global companies and engage in dialogue with one another.
• Conducting role-plays in French and simulating authentic business situations such as phone calls, meetings, and email correspondence.
• Strengthening methodological competence through the use of analytical methods.
• Analyzing texts and communicating both orally and in writing in professional contexts.
• Possesses a fairly broad range of language to describe unpredictable situations, explain the main point of a problem or idea with sufficient precision, and express thoughts on abstract topics.
• Can adapt their style of expression to handle less familiar or even difficult situations.
• Can explain the main points of an idea or problem with sufficient accuracy.

• Students acquire the social and communication skills necessary to develop key competencies.
• Students develop teamwork skills, supported by planning exercises, role-playing, and other activities.

• Students can independently navigate complex work or academic contexts and shape them in a sustainable manner.
• They can work on independent projects.
• They have the ability to independently manage and further develop their own learning process.

• Writing Professional Emails (Introduction to polite expressions and formal communication.)
• Meetings and Presentations
• Negotiations and Business Arguments

• Business and Trade Terms
• Job- and industry-specific vocabulary.
• Idiomatic expressions and job-related phraseology.

• Written and oral comprehension of work-related documents
• Written and oral expression in a professional context
• Note-taking and summarizing techniques

• Mitchell, M./Fleuranceau, A. (2011), Pour parler affaires A2/B1, Klett : Stuttgart
• Dubois, AL, / Tauzin, B., (2016), Objectif Express 2 – Nouvelle édition, Hueber
• Spérandio / Opatski / Petitmengin / Pons / Djimli / Vedel, (2022), Edito A1 (2022) focus pro Unité 10, Didier FLE
• Spérandio / Dodin / Fafa / Gajdosova / Horquin / Pasquet / Perrard / Petitmengin, (2024), Edito A2 (2022) focus pro Unité 11, Didier FLE
• Heu / Gatin / Perrard / Petitmengin / Spérandio / Nicolas, (2023), Edito B1 (2023) focus pro Unité 9, avec renfort d’Edito Pro (2020) pour la préparation du DFP, Didier FLE
• Abou-Samra / Heu / Perrard / Caraco, (2022), Edito B2 (2023) focus pro Unité 3, Didier FLE
• Holle / Diogo / Maussire / Grimaud / Lauret, (2020), Édito Pro B1 – Livre + DVD-rom + didierfle.app, Didier FLE
• Penformis, (2018), Français.com B1 intermédiaire, 3e édition, Klett Sprachen
• Jegou / Paz Rosillo, (2016), Quartier d'affaires, CLE international

• Delouze-Krüger, M./Carau, G./Kern, R./Germann, H. (2002), Découverte de la France économique, Stuttgart: Klett
• Breuer, J.P./de Bartha, P.: Deutsch-Französische Geschäftsbeziehungen erfolgreich managen, (2012), Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden
• Davoine, J.-P./Davoine, E. (2002), Einführung in die französische Wirtschaftssprache, München:Franz Vahlen
• Lavric, E./Pichler, H. (2003), Wirtschaftsfranzösisch fehlerfrei - Le français économique sans fautes, München.
• Lüsebrink, H.-J. (2011), Einführung in die Landeskunde Frankreichs, 3. Auflage, Stuttgart: Metzler
• Perez, D.: CV, lettre de motivation, entretien d’embauche, (2014), L‘étudiant, Paris
• Pruvot-Büttner, C. (2010), Pons Bürokommunikation Französisch, Stuttgart: Klett

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

• Students deepen their subject-specific expertise to better understand France as a trading partner.
• They gain an understanding of the internal processes within a French company.
• They acquire knowledge of the various phases, from company formation to customer acquisition and sales.
• They develop an awareness of cultural differences in the professional environment.
• They are able to integrate knowledge from various disciplines.
• They learn to understand, analyze, and summarize texts written in business terminology.

• In a simulated environment, students establish global companies and engage in dialogue with one another.
• Conducting role-plays in French and simulating authentic business situations such as phone calls, meetings, and email correspondence.
• Strengthening methodological competence through the use of analytical methods.
• Analyzing texts and communicating both orally and in writing in professional contexts.
• Possesses a fairly broad range of language to describe unpredictable situations, explain the main point of a problem or idea with sufficient precision, and express thoughts on abstract topics.
• Can adapt their style of expression to handle less familiar or even difficult situations.
• Can explain the main points of an idea or problem with sufficient accuracy.

• Students acquire the social and communication skills necessary to develop key competencies.
• Students develop teamwork skills, supported by planning exercises, role-playing, and other activities.

• Students can independently navigate complex work or academic contexts and shape them in a sustainable manner.
• They can work on independent projects.
• They have the ability to independently manage and further develop their own learning process.

• Writing Professional Emails (Introduction to polite expressions and formal communication.)
• Meetings and Presentations
• Negotiations and Business Arguments

• Business and Trade Terms
• Job- and industry-specific vocabulary.
• Idiomatic expressions and job-related phraseology.

• Written and oral comprehension of work-related documents
• Written and oral expression in a professional context
• Note-taking and summarizing techniques

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

• understand and identify the basic grammatical structures of the indicative and imperative moods 
• acquire specialized knowledge related to the semester’s topics and broaden their subject-specific expertise regarding Spain and Latin America as components of the global economic markets
• internalize the concept of branding (brand and marketing) 
• analyze various types of brands using representative, internationally active Spanish and Latin American companies as examples
• critically examine the main characteristics of branding (advantages and disadvantages) and the criticism of emotional branding
• critically examine the phenomenon of new nationalism in Spain and the dangers it poses to the EU and international markets
• learn about new manifestations of new nationalism, xenophobia, aggression, populism, and advertising

• practice oral and written expression in a foreign language in authentic business situations,
• practice reading and listening comprehension in a foreign language using various media,
• develop their analytical skills in working with texts and other media (summarizing key points, commenting, discussing),
• explore the benefits and limitations of comparative methods with regard to the current economic situation in Spain 

• practice completing tasks in the foreign language through partner and group work
• practice presenting their work results to an audience in the foreign language

• apply their newly acquired general and specialized vocabulary, stylistic devices, and grammatical structures,
• formulate hypotheses in the foreign language, weigh alternatives, and propose their own solutions,
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of audience-oriented presentations, both their own and those of their fellow students 

• Globalization: Concept, Definition, Historical Development
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Globalization for Various Economic Sectors
• Traditional Marketing: Basic Concepts, 4Ps, Marketing Strategies
• Digital Marketing: Online Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing
• Branding
• Case studies on Spanish and Latin American companies
• Concept: Supranationalism/Regionalism
• Different forms of regionalism in Spain

• Seminar-style instruction with interactive elements
• Partner and group work
• Language exercises (written and oral)
• Use of audiovisual media
• Self-paced online course

• Written exam (40%): 60 min.
• Oral exam (30%) (15–20 min.)
• Semester-long seminar project (30%): Video or presentation, up to 30 min., or workshops up to 60 min.

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

• expand their general language skills (vocabulary, grammar, stylistics),
• acquire specialized language skills related to the semester’s topics,
• expand their expertise regarding France as an economic region,
• learn about various French companies operating internationally,
• recognize the characteristics of franchising and its significance for economic life.

• deepen their analytical skills by analyzing and summarizing key messages in foreign-language business situations,
• enhance their understanding of various media content through exercises in foreign-language reading and listening comprehension,
• improve their understanding of authentic business situations by discussing and explaining business concepts and strategies through oral and written expression,
• express themselves clearly and concisely, without restrictions on how they formulate what they want to say,
• reliably convey detailed information.

• practice completing tasks in the foreign language through partner and group work,
• practice presenting their work results to an audience in the foreign language.

• apply their newly acquired general and specialized vocabulary, stylistic devices, and grammatical structures,
• formulate hypotheses in the foreign language, weigh alternatives, and propose independent solutions,
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of audience-oriented presentations in their own work and that of their peers,
• have the ability to independently manage and further develop their own learning process,
• are willing to engage in continuous professional development and to incorporate new developments in language instruction.

• Economic Actors : Identify and describe different types of workers, classify businesses, and explore the role of the government in the economy.
• Business Correspondence : Distinguish between the stages of the sales process, compare methods of placing orders, and file complaints via email or phone.
• Practical Skills: Develop skills in professional communication, project management, and research applied to the business world.
• Entrepreneurs: Analyze the profile of an entrepreneur, financing options, and the formalities involved in starting a business.
• Marketing : Conduct market research, segment and position products, and draft advertising messages.
• Contemporary Issues : Understand the principles of financial management, intercultural management, and the challenges of sustainable development.

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

• Students know the difference between national law, international law, and supranational law.
• They have a broad understanding of the legal framework governing international business and legal transactions.
• They develop basic knowledge on a number of important topics in public international law, including the sources of public international law, the relationship between international and national law, state responsibility, the international protection of human rights, and treaty law.
• They use databases on international law and can apply them to different cases.
• They can describe the varying levels of complexity in expatriate contracts.
• They are able to distinguish between the different roles of supranational and national legislation and jurisdiction.

• analyze, understand, and describe legal texts, their content, and context,
• work independently with the provisions of international agreements and various national laws and link them in accordance with the hierarchy of norms,
• detect and identify risks associated with different types of international private contracts within a multinational enterprise or group,
• use techniques to analyze the pros and cons for the parties to an international contract,
• distinguish between the primacy of supranational law and its relationship to national and European law,
• apply international treaties in a multilateral context to specific subjects such as environmental and human rights issues,
• recognize and evaluate insights into international law issues in the context of general value assessments.

• lead and coordinate teams in a results-oriented environment,
• present and prudently defend their own research findings to fellow students,
• write an essay to academic standards and use legal sources.

• manage and transform work or study contexts that are complex, unpredictable, and require new strategic approaches,
• reflect on a company’s operational challenges in the context of social values,
• the interplay between legal regulation and the institutional framework and the strategic direction of a company or institution, and are able to form their own opinions on these matters,
• develop independent projects and ideas, and act professionally in an international environment. 

• Principles of international law and the fundamental treaties and agreements
• Differences between international, European, and national legislation and how they function in practice
• Significance of international legal institutions (WTO, UNCITRAL, International Criminal Court)
• Dispute settlement mechanisms at the international level (arbitration and dispute settlement bodies)
• Specific legal provisions of international treaties in the fields of human rights, the environment, and trade

Grützmacher, M. (ed.), Münchener Vertragshandbuch Band 3 Wirtschaftsrecht II, 8. Aufl., München 2020.

Herdegen, M., Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, 13th edition, München 2022.

Herdegen, M., Principles of international economic law, 3rd edition, Oxford 2024.

Klabbers, J., International law, 4th edition, Cambridge 2023.

Ostendorf, P., International sales terms, 3rd edition, München 2022.

Twigg-Flesner, C., Foundations of international commercial law, Oxon 2022.

a. Corporate Responsibility Core Literature Review

Knowledge and Understanding:

By the end of the course, students

• will have gained an understanding of the foundational texts and theories in the fields of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and business ethics.
• will have a comprehensive overview of the critical discussions surrounding the role of business in modern society and the ethical implications of corporate actions.
• can articulate the distinctions and interconnections between CSR and business ethics, recognizing the nuances of each field.
• have developed a broad vocabulary related to responsible business principles and can define key concepts and terms used in CSR and business ethics literature.
• can identify and analyze the implications of responsible business practices for both corporations and society at large.
• can assess the various frameworks and models presented in core texts to categorize and interpret CSR strategies and ethical considerations.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

• Students can apply theoretical concepts from core literature to real-world business scenarios, demonstrating an ability to contextualize CSR strategies and ethical decision-making.
• They can utilize frameworks from the readings to assess the complexity of relationships between businesses and stakeholders in different contexts.
• They are adept at identifying pressing CSR challenges and ethical dilemmas, using insights from the literature to propose innovative solutions.

Communication and Cooperation:

• Students can effectively communicate insights derived from core texts to peers, facilitating discussions on CSR and business ethics in a collaborative environment.
• They can engage in critical discussions about the literature, actively contributing to group dialogues and enhancing collective understanding of CSR topics.

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism:

• Students can engage in reflective practices related to their own values and moral frameworks, considering how these influence their understanding of CSR and business ethics.
• They can critically assess their positions on the responsibilities of businesses within society, informed by insights from core literature.

b. Corporate Social Responsibility / Business Ethics

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Students have become familiar with the history and background of business ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
• They possess an overview of various approaches to defining the responsibilities of business.
• Students possess broad knowledge of various core terms and concepts of corporate responsibility, such as business ethics, CSR, and stakeholder value.
• They can understand and define the functions of moral values in business and apply them in decision-making.
• They can understand and define the opportunities, challenges, and limitations of responsibility-based approaches for businesses.
• They can understand and evaluate concepts for categorizing and comparing national and regional differences in business ethics and CSR approaches.
• They can understand and apply concepts and techniques for managing intercultural value conflicts.
• They can understand and assess the implications of highly responsible approaches, with a particular focus on corporate culture.
• They can identify responsibility issues, options, and impacts, and are able to assess and explain the implications of management decisions.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

• Students can analyze and define the complexities of the relationship between business and society and the role of business in responding to the challenges of globalization.
• They are able to apply procedures for reaching responsible decisions by combining responsible management concepts with critical thinking skills.
• They can apply techniques for addressing the responsibility challenges faced by companies operating internationally.
• They are able to assess the opportunities and implications of multi-stakeholder approaches.

Communication and Cooperation:

• Students can lead and coordinate teams in a results-oriented manner.
• They can present and defend team results in a complex and demanding environment.
• They can participate effectively in various types of classroom communication.

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism:

• Students are able to reflect on their personal values and the role of moral values in corporate decision-making processes.
• They can offer a reflective perspective on the responsibilities of business toward society and in joint efforts to address the complex challenges of a globalized world.
• Students possess the tools and techniques to independently complete an effective coursework assignment.

In recent decades, the notion that businesses embrace social values and responsibilities has grown significantly within the complex context of globalization. In a rapidly changing environment, businesses are having to cope with new patterns of expectations. The first of these relates to an expanded societal role for business in the face of increasingly urgent social and environmental problems, viewing businesses as social entities in a complex relationship with society. The second relates to the consequences of a widely perceived decline in ethical standards in business and banking. This module analyzes the complexities of the changing context and the implications for business operations, with a focus on business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and stakeholder concepts. The aim is to provide students with the knowledge and skills—gained through critical reflection—that enable them to responsibly address the evolving challenges facing management.

Corporate Responsibility Core Literature Review provides students with an overview of key debates on the responsibilities of business.

Content

• The role of business in modern society
• CSR and Business Ethics: Aspects and Differences
• Principles of Responsible Business
• Analysis and discussion of selected articles on corporate responsibility with specific emphasis on
  • - applied ethics
  • - approach-based issue analysis
  • - dimensions of CSR
  • - international CSR applications

Corporate Social Responsibility/Business Ethics aims to provide students with a broad conceptual framework regarding the challenges facing business management in the era of globalization. From this perspective, they assess the responsibilities of business and analyze concepts, practices, and organizations with a particular focus on the international dimension of corporate responsibility.

Content

• What is the difference between business ethics and CSR?
• Isn’t business just about profits?
• Shareholder value theory, the moral challenge, and changes in context
• Do moral values matter in business?
• Moral values, personal values, and ethics in the workplace
• What are the differences between the various approaches to business responsibility?
• The concept of balance and dimensions of business ethics
• Do concepts of responsibility differ across cultures?
• Comparative CSR, Integrated Social Contract Theory, and aspects of responsible SCM
• CSR: burden or benefit?
• Why isn’t Shared Value about values?
• What does the stakeholder concept have to do with ethics and CSR?
• Are responsible companies more successful?

• Written exam at the end of the semester (100%), 90 min.

or

• Short written tests (4) during the semester (40%), 10 min./each, and a written exam at the end of the semester (60%), 60 min.

or

• Assignments (5) during the semester (50%), short presentations/written texts/research tasks, max. 5 min/2 pages, and written exam at the end of the semester (50%), 60 min

The format of the exam and the adjusted scope/duration will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

Aguinis, H. and Glavas, A. (2019) ‘On Corporate Social Responsibility and the Role of Stakeholders’, Business & Society, 58(2), pp. 223-249.

Blowfield, M. and Murray, A. (2014) Corporate Responsibility. 3^rd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press (OUP).

Crane, A. and Matten, D. (2013) Corporate Social Responsibility: Readings and Cases in a Global Context. 2^nd edn. London: Routledge.

Crane, A. and Matten, D. (2016) Business Ethics. 4th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press (OUP).

Dmytriyev, S., Heim, S. and Hwang, J. (2019) Corporate Social Responsibility in the Age of Globalization: New Perspectives in a Changing World. New York: Business Expert Press.

Epstein, N.J. and Rejc Buhovac, A. (2017) Making Sustainability Work: Best Practice in Managing and Measuring Corporate Social, Environmental and Economic Impact. 2^nd edn. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

Freeman, R.E., Harrison, J.S. and Zyglidopolous, E. (2018) Stakeholder Theory. Cambridge Elements Series. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (CUP).

Garriga, E. and Melé, D. (2004) ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Theories: Mapping the Territory’, Journal of Business Ethics, 53(1-2), pp. 51-71.

Griseri, P. and Seppala, N. (2010) Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility. Andover, Hampshire: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Kolk, A. and van Tulder, R. (2010) ‘International Business, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development’, International Business Review, 19(2), pp. 119-125.

Moon, J. (2014) Corporate Social Responsibility: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press (OUP).

Porter, M.E. and Kramer, M.R. (2019) ‘Creating Shared Value: How to Reinvent Capitalism—and Unleash a Wave of Innovation and Growth’, Harvard Business Review, 97(1), pp. 66-77.

Summers, J. and Smith, B. (2014) Communication Skills Handbook. 4^th edn. Milton, Qld., AUS: Wiley.

Knowledge and Understanding:

Students can/know/apply

• practical management skills when dealing with real companies and subject-based consulting tasks,
• apply learning outcomes and techniques from theoretical exercises to real-world situations,
• the latest state of knowledge regarding the strategic application of diversity-related management models,
• interpret qualitative and quantitative data and present appropriate and coherent recommendations that lead to effective marketing and business decisions,
• how competency-based management resources improve performance management,
• the role of motivation and engagement and its relationship to the achievement of project goals.

Application and Generation of Knowledge:

Students can/know/apply

• expertise in (international) team building, team organization, and team management,
• develop the tools and skills necessary to communicate in cross-border projects,
• project-task-related skills such as timing, information gathering, planning, structuring, organization, reporting/documentation, and presentation of results,
• specialized problem-solving skills required for operational and strategic management issues in order to develop new knowledge and procedures and to integrate knowledge from different fields,
• interpret qualitative and quantitative data and present appropriate and coherent recommendations that lead to effective marketing and business decisions,
• distance learning tools and other modern communication systems used for communication in cross-border teams.

Communication and Cooperation:

Students can/know/apply

• lead and coordinate teams in a results-oriented manner,
• present and prudently defend team results in a complex and demanding environment,
• improve cooperation among human resources in projects and organizations based on appropriate policies and strategies,
• handle complexities while working in international teams,
• identify HR competencies needed in a project or organization,
• develop team competencies among team members, supported by state-of-the-art management tools.

Scientific Self-Understanding / Professionalism:

Students can/know/apply

• cultivate their entrepreneurial mindset through exposure to (nearly) real-world business conditions and assignments,
• reflect on a company’s operational challenges in the context of social values,
• develop independent projects and ideas and take the necessary steps to implement a sustainable management initiative.

During the Managing Cross-Border Projects module, mixed groups of 6 to 10 students from one or more partner universities (e.g., Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Medellín, etc.) are tasked with consulting existing small and medium-sized enterprises. This means that the groups must work in an international environment for real clients. The students have only about 7 weeks to complete this task, and there will be direct competition among the teams, as 6 to 8 teams will be consulting the same company. Since the projects are coordinated with several partner institutions, the project duration, group sizes, and other details may vary slightly from year to year and by partner.

The knowledge tools (“master classes”) for successful consulting will focus primarily on project management, as well as on tools such as SWOT analysis and techniques for desk research.

Coaches from all partner universities and tutors will coach the teams throughout the project. All mandatory project-related communication and reports must be managed using e-learning and/or collaboration platforms such as ILIAS or MS Teams. The platform used may vary depending on the partners involved.

• Master classes on teaching and applying relevant methods and tools
• Coaching by professional instructors and practitioners
• Distance learning tools (e.g., ILIAS)
• Monitoring through structured reporting requirements/guidelines
• Results-oriented presentations in oral and written form