College Catalog
International Business & Language Area Studies (IBLAS)

The mission of the IBLAS program is consistent with and supports the mission of St. Norbert College in providing an opportunity for its students to enhance their intellectual, personal, and moral development through the strong foundation in the General Education Program and the course requirements in the major. More specifically, effective communication, decision-making, problem-solving skills, and understanding of ethical issues are developed through study in the IBLAS major. Students are taught and encouraged to apply these skills as responsible citizens of a diverse, interdependent, changing world. The IBLAS program is dedicated to melding theory, practice, and disciplinary specializations. This integrated interdisciplinary major forms a foundation for our graduates' professional and personal achievement as they become aware of and join an international learning community.

The IBLAS major provides students extensive knowledge of the cultural issues associated with conducting cross-border business. The business, economics, and modern language course work, together with the semester of study abroad, prepare IBLAS majors for a wide variety of international business-related careers or for graduate school.

The IBLAS major is one of the three baccalaureate degrees in business administration (BBA) offered at St. Norbert College. The other two BBA degrees are Business Administration and Accounting.

The specific goals of the IBLAS major are to:

1. Develop knowledge base in international business
Students are expected to develop:

-A general understanding of important concepts in global business
-Specific skills needed to succeed as business professionals in different cultural settings

2. Develop language skills
Students are expected to develop a linguistic concentration in a second modern language. This enables students to communicate effectively in their selected second modern language and to develop a better understanding of a foreign culture.

 3. Prepare for career/graduate school
The IBLAS program will help students prepare for entry into an international business field or graduate school.

IBLAS majors are required to study a semester in another country, preferably during their junior year. Students must complete the semester abroad in a country in which their chosen second language is spoken. Any appeals for exceptions to this requirement must be directed to the IBLAS Advisory Board in accordance with the procedures established by the Undergraduate International Education Committee. Students must have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 for courses taken at SNC before applying for a semester of studying abroad. Students normally take the semester of study abroad through a St. Norbert College foreign study or an exchange program.

Students majoring in IBLAS are responsible for the management and operation of Discoveries International (www.discoveriesinternational.com), a non-profit corporation which was chartered in 1978. Discoveries International is committed to importing labor-intensive products from developing countries and reinvesting its proceeds in these nations to assist in furthering develop these economies.

During the Senior Seminar students also conduct research projects which are devoted to study, analyses, and recommendations relative to doing business in more than one country. These projects may be case-based, they may be conducted for a business which is seeking to expand its business in foreign markets, or they may be for a business which is beginning to explore the potential of exporting for the first time.

Dr. Joy Pahl teaches full-time in the program.  Faculty members in Modern Foreign Languages, Political Science, Economics, and Business Administration teach various courses which are included in the IBLAS curriculum.

Graduate School Advisor and IBLAS Program Director: Dr. Joy Pahl

2007-2008 International Business & Language Area Studies Program Requirements

2005-2007 International Business & Language Area Studies Program Requirements

2003-2005 International Business & Language Area Studies Program Requirements

2001-2003 International Business & Language Area Studies Program Requirements

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