University of La Verne
Course Pack September 2019
The University of La Verne is one of the most traditional and well respected American Universities. Founded in 1891, ULV is a private non-profit institution, with its main campus in the City of La Verne,California, located just outside of Los Angeles.
The University offers Undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral degrees in various fields of knowledge. Classes are taught by Ph.D.’s with extensive professional and academic experience. Host to over 8,500 students, ULV prides itself on its small class sizes, inclusive culture and a vibrant campus community.
During your visit, you will study with ULV’s outstanding faculty, visit and learn from Executives at some of the world’s most successful businesses, as well as take advantage of the many cultural and touristic opportunities Los Angeles has to offer.
More information may be found on the ULV website:
Here is an interactive map to learn more about the area:
Here is a link showing the route from the airport to the 2nd La Verne Campus you will be visiting:
Starts:
Monday, 2 September 2019
Ends:
Friday, 13 September 2019
Course Structure:
The course provides students with a blend of classroom learning and hands-on experience.
We do our best to ensure that student groups are multicultural. Class sizes are capped at 30 students. Courses are rigorous. It will be very difficult to complete the course without attending all the classes.
Weekends are left open so that students may explore Los Angeles and enjoy cultural opportunities.
Please note, a graduation ceremony will take place on the last day of the programme.
2 Week Programme:
Advanced Topics in Business Strategy, Marketing Management or Project Management.
Please see detailed schedule under Programme Schedule below.
Objectives of the Programme:
To be in contact with the most advanced Corporate Strategy in combination with case studies about the topic. It allows students to develop marketing strategies for their organizations from an international view of the subject.
Faculty: Ph.D. Professors from the University, with great Academic and Professional Experience.
Dynamics of the class: Theoretical Classes, Cases, Discussions and Practical Activities.
Students’ profile: Graduate Professionals with Managerial Experience.
Number of students in the class: From 15 to 30.
Programme*:
Environmental Analysis and Opportunity Scanning:
Internal and external assessment; external forces affecting business policies; competitive analysis; industry analysis. Company visits and business cases.
From Strategic Planning to Strategic Thinking:
Forecasting tools and techniques; types of strategies; matching structure and strategy; restructuring and re-engineering; managing resistance to change. Company visits and business cases.
Strategy: Execution and Control Methods:
The nature of strategy evaluation; key performance indicators and balanced scorecard; strategic alignment and contingency planning. Company visits and business cases.
Readings:
Students will receive a set of articles to read in preparation for their classes.
You can access the readings here:
https://wbs2019.page.link/ULVBS
Professor:
Dr. Richard Simpson.
*Subject to change
Objectives of the Programme:
Discuss advanced Marketing management topics, addressing frontier aspects of knowledge. This programme allows students to develop marketing strategies for their organizations with a view to competitiveness in the global business market.
Faculty:
Ph.D. Professors from the University, with great Academic and Professional Experience.
Dynamics of the class: Theoretical Classes, Cases, Discussions and Practical Activities.
Students’ profile: Graduate Professionals with Managerial Experience.
Number of students in the class: From 15 to 30.
Programme*:
Managing Customers in the Globalized World:
Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning Global Products; Customer Value and Satisfaction; Social Media and the e-Customer; Business Cases.
International Products and Branding:
Product and Brand Decisions in the Global Arena; Extend, Adapt and Create New Products; Cross-cultural Communication and Public Relations.
Managing Global Markets and Offerings:
Global Market Entry Strategies; International Partnerships; Market Expansion Strategies.
Readings:
Students will receive a set of articles to read in preparation for their classes.
You can access the readings here:
https://wbs2019.page.link/ULVMM
Professor:
Dr. Astrid Keel.
*Subject to change
Objectives of the Programme:
To discuss advanced topics concerning Project Management. This program uses PMBok as a reference and focuses on subjects that go beyond content dealt by the Project Management Institute. The human factor in projects will receive special attention.
Faculty: Ph.D. Professors from the University, with great Academic and Professional Experience.
Dynamics of the class: Theoretical Classes, Cases, Discussions and Practical Activities.
Students’ profile: Graduate Professionals with Managerial Experience.
Number of students in the class: From 15 to 30.
Programme*:
Strategy and Management for Project-based Organizations:
Project Management, Strategy, and Strategic Thinking; Completion of Strategy, and Project-based Organizational Structures; Management for Project-based Companies. Company Visits and Business Cases.
The Human Side of Project Management:
The Challenges of Conducting People on Projects: Individual Differences (Personality, Skills, and Abilities); Leadership in Projects and Organizations; Building Cohesiveness across Teams; Challenges of Conducting Multicultural Teams. Company Visits and Business Cases.
Managing Mega-projects:
Virtual Teams; Introduction to Mega Projects; Risk Management: Proactive Risk Management and Contingency Planning; Outsourced Projects; Company Visits and Business Cases.
Readings:
Students will receive a set of articles to read in preparation for their classes.
You can access the readings here:
https://wbs2019.page.link/ULVPM
Professors:
Dr. Omid Futuran
Dr. David Kung
Dr. Issam Ghazzawi
*Subject to change
- Information on your accommodation can be found here: https://wbs.page.link/LVAI
- Bed and a Continental Breakfast are provided.
Group transfers will be provided for company visits and for lectures. Outside of this, please make your own arrangements.
Please note that the restaurant is open until 13h00 only.
Certificate of Attendance:
Issued by the University of La Verne.
Flight Times and Details
Here is information regarding your flights. Please ensure that you arrive on time.
Programme Schedule*
Below you can find a day-by-day schedule of the activities that will occur during the programme duration.
*Schedules provided are subject to change. The digital schedule will be updated as soon as possible if there are any changes made.
- Amazon Fulfillment Center
When: Wednesday, 4 September, 15h30 – 17h30
Where: 1900 E central Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 91767, USA.
Why: We will introduce you to an internationally renowned Company and their inside processes and protocols.
Site: https://www.aboutamazon.com/amazon-fulfillment
Contact: Lisa Santos - Old Stump Brewing Company
When: Thursday, 5 September, 14h00 – 17h00
Where: 2896 Metropolitan Pl, Pomona, CA 91767, USA
Why: We will introduce you to a local brewery and its operation in the local market. After the presentation, you may purchase and taste their beer.
Site: http://www.oldstumpbrewery.com/
Contact: Harald: +1 909 860 9052 - IKEA
When: Friday, 6 September
Why: Ikea work hard to achieve quality at affordable prices through optimising their entire value chain, by building long-term supplier relationships, investing in highly automated production, and producing large volumes.
Site: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/ - LA Verne Chamber of Commerce
When: Monday, 9 September,
13h00 Group A
14h00 Group B
Where: 2332 D St Suite E, La Verne, CA
Why: To understand the business network of a board if trade in a local dimension.
Contact: Leah Skinner
Email: leah@lavernechamber.org; - Los Angeles Times
When: Tuesday, 10 September, 15h00 – 17h00
Where: 1353 S Genesee Ave, Los Angeles, CA 91767, USA.
Why: Watching the team work, the presses run and the robots move the giant rolls of paper provides a glimpse behind the scenes of what we like to call “the daily miracle”. We invite you to experience the printing process – and see what happens before a newspaper lands on your doorstep.
Site: https://www.latimes.com/
Contact: Darell Kunitomi - Ikea or Gerdau (TBC)
Address: 848 Barranca Ave, Covina, CA
Contact: Elizabath Banuelos
Phone: 626 966 1111 ext. 1804
Date: Sept 11th, 2019
Time: 14h00 – 16h00 - Startup.Burbank: Pitch Festival
When: Thursday, 12 September, 16h00 – 18h00
Where: CommonGrounds Workspace – Downtown Burbank, 40 East Verdugo Avenue Burbank, CA 91767, USA.
Why: Presented by the team behind the popular Burbank Tech Talks & Burbank Tech Summit series, this startup pitch event features a keynote by a VC, followed by a fast-paced pitch event.
Site: https://econdevburbank.com/entrepreneurs/
Student Commitments
Legal Declaration of Indemnity, Undertaking and Consent
- The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (hereafter referred to as ‘the University’) has insured itself for its liability arising from the acts and omissions of persons acting on its behalf, and that its registered students, staff and individuals who are subject to the University’s rules, regulations, policies, procedures and standing orders as amended from time to time are insured during the course and scope of their registered courses and/or within the scope of University’s business. This is subject to the proviso that the University’s maximum liability will be limited, whether for a single or multiple events, to the extent that is covered thereof;
- When the University arranges for me to travel to locations which are outside of the University’s precincts, and when traveling in vehicles which do not belong to the University’s and/or are not driven by University staff, I will enjoy only such cover as referred to in Section 1 above, provided that I depart and travel from the University’s precincts and return to it from an excursion arrange by the University, on a route agreed upon in advance by the University;
- In cases where no fault can be attributed to the University, I hereby indemnify, absolve and hold harmless the University, its officials, employees, students and invitees in respect of any damage the property, death or bodily injury to/of myself and/or third parties, whether on/off the University precincts, or whilst engaged in any related activity to the University abroad; and
- I understand that I attend and participate in the WBS Global Study Tour in various designated countries around the world during specified periods in 2019 at my own risk where the event falls outside the cover provided to or by the University.
- I acknowledge that I have read and understood the contents of this indemnity in every respect.
This document is applicable to all modes of delivery of the Global Study Tour from 2017 onward.
Assessment Policy
All assignments, including the attendance of the Amazing Race and all scheduled visits to businesses, other organisations and cultural activities, is compulsory.
Failure to comply with this policy will result in an automatic failure off this course. A record of attendance at each prescribed tour activity will be kept by the Tour Leader and will be submitted to the International Office as a formal record for student assessment. Should a student fail (including as a result of non-attendance and failure to participate), the tour will have to be repeated.
A candidate who has not completed all the requirements for this tour by the end of the minimum period of study and who is permitted in terms of Senate Standing Orders to continue will be required to register again for this tour at the beginning of the following academic year and pay the relevant fee.
Registration for the Global Study Tour
A candidate is required to register and pay in advance for the Study Tour in order to be admitted to complete the course.
If a candidate wishes to amend his/her selection of destination, a prescribed period of time will be permitted as indicated by the Global Study Tour Coordinator. However, no changes to selection of destination will be entertained once confirmed.
International Applicants
Applications from international exchange and immersion students are welcome. All international students need to conform with the University’s requirements and the South African legislation that pertains to such students.
Credits towards MBA or MM to other degrees
Students may be granted credits for this tour at international partner schools however please note that the granting of credits is based on the credit weighting exchange between the WBS MBA and other international programmes.
Pass mark for this course
In order to pass the study tour, a student must obtain a minimum of 50% as a final mark subject to the subminimum rule.
Fees
Students must register for the Global Business Study Tour (BUSA 7442A) in order to pay the travel component cost for the study tour. Students will be advised as to the Rand value that has to be paid for the study tour of their choice. The deadline for the choice of study tour and payments will be communicated to students by the School’s International Office. Failure to pay the full fee for the Global Study Tour in advance or failure to attend the tour for whatever reason will still hold the student liable for the full amount as indicated for the selected tour package. Please note that fees may not involve the same costing as certain travel destinations are cheaper than others. Also note that whenever indicated students will be responsible for their own transport and cost of meals and incidentals on each tour. Tour leaders do not carry additional funds to allow for students who do not make personal provision for their own expenses.
Allocation of Marks
The mark composition for each assignment will comprise a combination of marks awarded for assignment projects and field work, both individual and syndicate work. The mark allocation for the course is detailed in the course pack.
Syndicates may apply to have non-performing members excluded from the syndicate mark for their assignment, or have a portion of the total mark allocated to the non-performing student.
Publication of Final Course Results
The results of the global study tour will be published by the Faculty Office as soon as possible, normally within four weeks from assignment submission.
Disputes and Grievances
Any disputes or grievances that arise as a result of the application of, or failure to apply, the provisions of these Standing Orders should be managed within the Faculty’s existing appeals and grievance procedure. Problems should always be resolved as close to the source as possible. The grievance procedure policy and applicable forms are available from the Faculty Office.
Code of Conduct
All students will abide by the daily dress code as indicated by the Tour Leader depending on the daily schedule of events and places visited.
Students are also advised that whilst they are encouraged to enjoy the tour, they are reminded that they are participating in a Wits Study Tour programme and are not traveling for their own leisure purposes. As such, the prime focus is on teaching and learning and at all times students will need to participate in all prescribed activities and field visits.
Students are advised to heed the guidance and instruction of the designated Tour Leader on each trip. In addition, students are advised to serve as professional ambassadors of Wits University and the Wits Business School at all times whilst on tour. Students are also advised to download a copy of the Wits Student Code of Conduct to familiarise themselves with the policy.
During visits, students are to ensure that all mobile phones are switched off.
Students are to be punctual for all visits, failure to attend a visit without a valid reason will render your attendance as incomplete.
Failure to adhere to the above could result in a disciplinary action being lodged against the student.
Recording of Global Study Tour Activities
Business visit sessions may only be recorded (by audio, images or video) with the express written permission of that organisation. Students will be required to agree in writing that:
- recordings will only be used for purposes of their own private study and revision;
- recordings will not be copied, shared, communicated, published or distributed in any format whatsoever and using any medium whatsoever, unless requested to do so by the lecturer;
- unedited copies recordings will be provided to the lecturer if requested to do so; and
- Copyright of all recordings remain the property of the University.
It is noted that infringement of any of these conditions may result in disciplinary action being taken against the student.
