Winter Session in London
Tentative Program Dates: Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013–Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014
Depart U.S.: Thursday, December 26 (no early admission to housing provided)
Arrive in London: Friday, December 27
Return to U.S. or independent travel: Friday, January 10
Courses
FIN:4240/6F:130 International Finance
Professor Artem Durnev, Associate Professor of Finance
This class is designed to introduce students to the global financial environment. London is the perfect place to study international finance. London remains at the top of the league of global financial centers. London possessed the world's most important currency exchange market and money market. London's investment bankers and commercial banks are among the most important in the world. This class focuses on providing a solid understanding of both the institutional and economic forces affecting the international financial markets and the firm. Such an understanding is essential as successful financial managers must be able to effectively assess the many risks and opportunities which daily affect their firms. We will study how currency markets operate, how various financial indicators are interlinked through the world markets, and their role in the recent financial crisis. We will also emphasize central bank policies and governance regulations and procedures in different countries. The course is tailored to students seeking careers in the government sector, international banking and investment or with finance and strategy departments of corporations operating in the world markets.
Faculty Biography
Art Durnev (www.artdurnev.com) is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Henry B. Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa and the Faculty Advisor of the Iowa City Judo Club. He is a Canadian and Russian citizen. He was a faculty member at the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University in Montreal (Canada) and University of Miami in Florida. He holds his PhD from the Ross Business School at the University of Michigan. His work involves empirical investigations of firm governance structures, disclosure policies, insider trading regulation, and the role of politics in financial markets. He published his work in top academic journals, such as Journal of Finance, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Accounting Research, Journal of International Business Studies, Michigan Law Review, and Economics of Transition. He taught classes for undergraduates, MBAs, PhDs, and executives in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Russia. He presented his work at over 100 seminars and conferences worldwide. He consulted Canadian and Russian governments, wrote articles for international newspapers, and gave numerous interviews to the national TV and radio programs in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and Russia. His passions in life are currency exchange markets and competitive judo.
Prerequisites: 6F:100; 2.75 UI and cumulative GPA or consent of program director.
6M:190 Contemporary Topics in Marketing: Problems in International Marketing
Cathy Cole, Professor of Marketing
In this course, students will study: the differences between international and domestic marketing and investigate how environmental conditions, especially cultural, affect marketing success beyond U.S. borders. In particular, this course focuses on major issues in international marketing that are not emphasized in other classes: international marketing challenges associated with branding, sports marketing, fluctuations in exchange rates, retailing and advertising.
Through lectures, analysis of current business practices and actual experiences, students will learn about global marketing strategies.
The course is appropriate for 1) any students seeking a follow-up course to the basic marketing class, 2) students who plan marketing careers with a significant international component, and 3) students who plan international careers in general management or other functional areas and who want to understand more about international marketing.
Course Objectives
- Develop understanding about how differences in global economic, cultural, social, political, and legal environments can affect marketing decisions.
- Give an overview of what is involved in making international marketing decisions, including product, price, promotion, and place decisions to create a marketing mix.
- Discuss contemporary issues in global marketing and the unique challenges faced by marketing managers in the dynamic global environment.
Materials and Methods
This class will be different than a class in Iowa City. We will spend some time doing the usual classroom activities (Lectures, case/article discussions, and in-class assignments). However, we will also examine marketing in an international context with field trips to museums (e.g. Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum), retail outlets (e.g. Harrods) and sporting venues (might include Wimbledon, Wembley Soccer Stadium and the site of the 2012 Olympics). Additionally, we will prepare you for careers in international marketing with lectures from corporate executives (e.g. Unilever) and a field trip to the US Commercial Service in London to learn about the services that are available to American companies wishing to expand abroad.
Prerequisites: 60 s.h.; 2.75 UI and cumulative GPA or consent of program director.
Faculty Biography
Under construction.
Applications
The application deadline is Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Early applications are encouraged; courses will be filled with eligible students based on the date of the application submission. Application Form.
Program Committment and Deposit
Applications will be reviewed weekly beginning in mid-August. Accepted students will receive an email notification from UI Office for Study Abroad and will have approximately two weeks to submit a program commitment fee of $350.
The total number of commitments for each course will determine if courses can be offered. Students who make confirmation deposits will be notified whether the courses will be offered no later than October 1.
Enrollment Targets
Enrollments must meet at least 25 students in order for the course to be offered. No more than 31 students can be accommodated in each course.
Program Fee
The program fee is expected to be $2,900-$3,000.
What's Included:
The fee for the two-week experience includes a 3 s.h. course, cultural events that tentatively include a welcome dinner, a half-day coach tour of London, a tour of St. Paul's Cathedral or an historic site, a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath, a theater performance, company or site visits and speakers, a travel pass for unlimited travel in central London (buses and subway), on-site orientation and support in London, 24/7 access to a computer lab in the classroom facility, and housing in shared flats in central London with cooking and free laundry facilities.
What's Not Included:
Round trip airfare overseas, meals, and personal expenses are not included in the program fee. The estimate for these expenses is approximately $2,050 depending on cost of airfare.
A special note to international students
Depending on your country of origin, it may be necessary for you to apply for a Student Visitor Visa before you can enter the United Kingdom for this winter’s study abroad program. You can check on the U.K. Border Agency’s website to find out if you need to apply.
If you need a visa to enter the United Kingdom, the UI Office for Study Abroad will supply you with documents to support your application.
To return to the United States after the class, you will need a valid form I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed for travel abroad and an F-1 or J-1 student visa that is valid through the date that you plan to return to the United States. You can obtain a travel signature from an advisor at International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS), 1111 University Capitol Centre.
Purchasing Airline Tickets
Students are advised NOT to purchase tickets until the program's status is confirmed. In late September, students will be informed about whether there is sufficient interest to offer the trip. Directions about purchasing tickets will be shared at that time.
Scholarships/Grants
The UI Office for Study Abroad offers a limited number of need-based grants and merit-based scholarships for undergraduates.Information Sessions
Learn about the London Winter Session experience in just under an hour!
April 24, 3:30-4:15 p.m., S104 PBB
May 3, 1:30-2:15 p.m., C106 PBB
More sessions will be held during the Fall semester.
For more information:
Contact Matt Edwards or Shari Piekarski or call the Undergraduate Program Office at 319-335-1037.
