Course Syllabus
BA0303-397-03 Study Tour to Japan 2001
Facluty: Peggy K. Takahashi, Assistant Professor, McLaren 219
/ takahaship@usfca.edu
Teaching Assistant: Ayako Takamatsu, MBA student /
takaay2@usfca.edu
Meeting Times: Saturday mornings from 9:30 - 12:30
Required Texts: (1)
Inside the Kaisha (available at the bookstore for under $20. One copy on
reserve at the library.) (2) Course reader (available on reserve at the
library.)
Course Objectives and Schedule
The purpose of this study tour is to introduce he student to the many facets of the Japanese business environment.
Pre-departure preparation will include a broad understanding of the historical, cultural and economic underpinnings of the
Japanese business environment. Students will become familiar with:
1) Japan's current financial crisis and how its financial markets are likely to change in the near future
2) the regulatory, managerial environment facing MNC entry into Japan
3) reasons for joint ventures formation with Japanese companies
4) the different marketing strategies in Japan
| Date | Topic | Inside Kaisha | Reader |
| 2/3 |
Introduction |
"The invisible Japanese" | |
| Course objectives | "Hidden history" | ||
| Tour details, cost breakdown | "Two stories, two games" | ||
| Historical background on Japan | |||
| 3/3 | Background on Japanese Business | Ch. 1-5 | "Taking care of business" |
| What to expect, how to behave etc. | |||
| 4/7 | Midterm exam | Ch. 6-9 | "The social contradictions of |
| Guest Speaker | Japanese capitalism" | ||
| 5/5 | Presentation on companies | Selections from Japanese | |
| Company fact sheets due | Consumer Behavior | ||
| Finalized itinerary | "A day of a salaryman" | ||
| TBA | Short pre-departure trip if needed | ||
| 6/29 | Final project due |