Curriculum

CISB PART A: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT (4 CREDITS)

Complete one course (minimum 4 credits) that examines global business conditions, including government policies, legal frameworks, social, and economic factors. Courses may be from Foster, other UW departments, or international institutions (with approval).

This course should contribute to answering the following question:
How do regional contextual factors, such as local laws, government rules, cultural norms, or the economy affect the way businesses operate in this region?

Note: The key distinction between this requirement and the area studies requirement is its focus on business concepts in relation to the broader regional or global perspective.

Pre-Approved Courses offered in the Foster School include:

• I BUS 330 — Business Environment in Developing Nations
• I BUS 340 — Business Environment in Industrial Countries
• B ECON 426 — Competing in the Global Economy

Alternative Courses

• Certain Special Topics (I BUS 490) and Independent Study (I BUS 499) courses may also apply to this requirement via petition approval.
• Additional courses for consideration are those in departments such as the Comparative History of Ideas, Economics, Geography, Political Science, and the Jackson School and Law School. Further information on any of these courses can be found by searching the UW Course Catalog or individual department websites.
• This course must be upper division unless otherwise approved.

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CISB PART B: GLOBAL BUSINESS SKILLS (4 CREDITS)

Complete one course (minimum 4 credits) that focuses on a business functional area or skillset within a global/international context. Courses may be from Foster, other UW departments, or international institutions (with approval).

This course should contribute to answering the following question:
How does thinking globally influence the importance of certain business? For example, how might areas like marketing or finance work differently in other countries or regions?

Pre-Approved Courses offered in the Foster School include:

• MKTG 470 — International Marketing
• B ECON 427 — International Finance
• FIN 428 — International Financial Management
• OPMGT 443 — Inventory and Supply Chain Management

Alternative Courses

• Certain Special Topics (I BUS 490) and Independent Study (I BUS 499) courses may also apply to this requirement via petition approval.
• This course must be upper division unless otherwise approved.

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CISB PART C: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PRACTICUM (4 CREDITS)

Complete one hands-on experience (minimum 4 credits AND/OR 10 weeks) that puts international business concepts into practice through one of the following global opportunities:

I BUS 496 – International Business Practicum (SPRING ONLY)
Teams of 3–4 students collaborate with local companies on international business projects, presenting their findings in written and oral reports at the quarter’s end. Topics may include market entry, investment analysis, product differentiation, regulatory compliance, and more.

BA 495 – International Business Internship (Requires Petition & Approval)
An internship with a company, not-for-profit organization, or government agency in an international business capacity. Learn more about taking BA 495 here.
You may also substitute a non-credit internship for the requirement.

I BUS 490 or I BUS 499 – Special Topics or Independent Study Courses (Requires Petition & Approval)
Some pre-approved special topics or independent study courses may fulfill this requirement.
Current CISB students can access the petition process and link through Canvas.
Prospective students, please see the CISB program adviser for more information on the petition process at [email protected].

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BUSINESS FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AREA (12 CREDITS)

Select at least 12 credits in one business area:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Human Resources Management
• Information Systems
• Marketing
• Operations & Supply Chain Management

Completing a formal business major will fulfill this requirement but declaring a specific major is not required to complete CISB.

I BUS 491 – CISB TRACK SEMINAR (1 CREDIT PER QUARTER WHEN IN RESIDENCE)
CISB students are required to take this seminar for at least five consecutive quarters (excluding summer or quarters spent abroad).

Exemptions: If you’re studying or working abroad, you’re excused during that time — but otherwise, the seminar should be taken back-to-back.

The I BUS 491 Seminar meets on Thursdays from 5:30–6:50 PM.

You can find more details in the CISB Language Tracks section below.

Foreign Language Requirement

In today’s globalized economy, there’s a growing demand for employees with foreign language skills. A Michigan State University survey found that:

• 1 in 3 U.S. mid- and large-sized companies have international operations or serve multilingual, multicultural customers
• 93% of these employers seek employees who can effectively work across cultures.
• 69% of employers believe that higher education must do more to prepare students with “global talent.”

To prepare for this, CISB students are required to take advanced foreign language courses. Language study not only improves cross-cultural communication but also boosts brain function and shows intellectual curiosity. Business professionals who are proficient in a foreign language can build stronger relationships and manage diverse teams more effectively.

Many CISB students pursue a minor in their target language, and some even complete a double degree.

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LANGUAGE TRACKS: FOREIGN LANGUAGE

CISB language tracks depend on enrollment and cohort size. Regularly offered language tracks include: Chinese (Mandarin), French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Custom languages (e.g., German, Arabic, Danish, Hindi), along with a U.S. track for international students.

Tracks are subject to change if enrollment in a particular language is insufficient. Some tracks may be combined or adjusted to align with regional areas or themes that reflect the current interests of our students.

The CISB program requires students to achieve functional proficiency in a non-native language, with specific goals:

• Communicate in everyday social situations and be understood by native speakers
• Comprehend general news stories and business-related content
• Write simple business correspondence
• Read a business newspaper article

Proficiency can be demonstrated through:

1. A 2.7 GPA in third-year college-level language courses
2. Studying or working in a country where the language is spoken for 6+ months
3. Proficiency by examination
4. Other methods approved by the CISB faculty director
5. A business language course can substitute for third-quarter, third-year language

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U.S. TRACK: ENGLISH COMMUNICATION (12–15 CREDITS)

U.S. Track students must take three courses in English communication—two in oral communication and one in written communication. Examples include:

• Oral: DRAMA 251 Acting, COM 270 Interpersonal Communication, COM 220 Public Speaking
• Written: Any courses approved for the Foster School’s writing requirement (in addition to this requirement)

Students may petition to substitute other courses to meet this requirement.

International Experience Requirement

The best way to understand a country, its people, and its business culture is by immersing oneself in the experience of living there! Through these overseas opportunities, students develop:

• Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Communication Skills
• Key qualities valued by employers, such as:
• Adaptability
• Flexibility
• Self-awareness
• Tolerance
• Cross-cultural sensitivity

These experiences not only expand students’ cultural perspectives but also deepen their appreciation for diversity.

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LANGUAGE TRACKS: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

CISB students are required to demonstrate experience in an environment where their track-related language is spoken. This requirement can be met in one of two ways:

• Study Abroad: Complete at least 10 weeks of approved foreign study in the target language, either through Foster School exchanges or other UW-approved programs. This should occur after at least two years of language study or when comparable proficiency is achieved.

Note: If a full course load in the target language is unavailable, students may petition in advance to supplement their experience with additional immersive hours, such as volunteering with native speakers or engaging in language-rich environments. Approval must be obtained before departure, and it is recommended to secure approval before accepting a study abroad offer.

• Internship Abroad: Alternatively, students may fulfill this requirement by completing a minimum of 10 weeks in an internship abroad, conducted in their target language.

Other experiences may be considered as substitutes, subject to approval via petition. Foreign travel as a tourist or high school study abroad programs do not qualify.

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U.S. TRACK: U.S. INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE (0–4 CREDITS)

International students in the U.S. track are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours in an internship within the U.S. instead of studying abroad. The internship may be taken for credit as a 495 course, depending on the specific internship. All U.S. track internships must be approved by the faculty director via petition.

Upon admission to CISB, students should meet with both the CISB program adviser and their Foster adviser in Undergraduate Programs to plan their international experience. They are also encouraged to consult with a staff member in the Global Business Center to explore study abroad and internship opportunities.

Language Tracks and Community

CISB students are admitted into language tracks that group them by shared learning goals, creating a close-knit community and focused experience.

• These tracks meet weekly (I BUS 491), allowing students to network, explore global business practices, discuss international current events, practice specific business language, and engage in cultural activities.
• Through these meetings, students build lasting connections and deepen their understanding of their target language and region.

The available language tracks are:

• Chinese
• EMEA – Europe, Middle East, Africa
• Japanese/Korean
• Spanish
• U.S. Track for international students (contingent on sufficient enrollment)

The U.S. Track is specifically designed for international students, preparing them to work effectively in the U.S. business environment. It includes exposure to international business practices, English communication training, in-depth American studies, and internship experiences.

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LANGUAGE TRACK SEMINAR

Students register for I BUS 491, the CISB Seminar, every quarter they are on campus (minimum 5 quarters). This course fosters a close-knit, “club-like” community, where students build lasting friendships while engaging in a dynamic, fun learning environment that evolves each quarter based on the group’s interests in the region.

Track meetings take two forms:

• Individual Track Meetings: Students practice their foreign language skills, learn about business culture and practices in their target region, share study abroad experiences, and network with fellow track members, exchange students, and alumni. This is a place where students bond, creating a supportive community.
• All-CISB Meetings: Tracks come together to learn from business professionals about international business practices and careers, providing valuable insights and connections across regions and industries.

“CISB was one of the best experiences I’ve had at the University of Washington. Being a part of the Spanish track made me feel a sense of community and true connection to the Foster School.” – Erin Hollingshead

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HIGHLIGHTED CISB EVENT: Each winter, all tracks compete in the Foreign Market Strategy Competition, applying their business, language, and cultural knowledge to real-world market entry strategies. This event showcases student talent, connects them with businesses, and offers hands-on international business experience. CISB’s strength lies in its community—built on lasting relationships, strong networks, and unique opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Additional Business Language Resources

AREA STUDIES (7–10 CREDITS)

• Complete at least two area studies courses outside the Foster School, totaling a minimum of seven credits. These courses should enhance understanding of the cultural, societal, political, and/or economic issues in the student’s geographic area of specialization and may be taken at a foreign university.

Courses must be at the 300-level or above unless taken abroad.

Examples of suitable courses at UW include (but are not limited to):

Chinese

• JSIS A 467 China’s Rise and Its Global Implications
• HSTAS 454 History of Modern China
• GEOG 337 Migration and Development in China

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EMEA (French, German)

• FRENCH 376 Culture, Politics, and Society in France
• JSIS A 302 The Politics of Cultures of Europe
• ECON 475 Economics of the European Union
• HSTEU 432 Germany 1914–1945

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Japanese

• JSIS A 437 International Relations of Japan
• AAS 370 Japanese Americans: Race, Culture, Discrimination, Gender
• JAPAN 380 Contemporary Japanese Art and Society

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Spanish

• CHSTU 359 U.S. Latino Politics
• SPAN 360 Contemporary Spain
• GEOG 330 Latin America: Landscapes of Change

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Custom – select courses from departments such as:

• Anthropology
• Comparative History of Ideas
• Economics
• Geography
• History
• Jackson School of International Studies
• Language
• Literature
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Sociology

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U.S.

• GEOG 302 The Pacific Northwest
• POL S 303 Public Policy Formation in the United States
• HSTAA 345 Making Modern America: Business and Politics
• AES 461 Comparative Ethnic Race Relations in the Americas

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Other courses may be accepted toward the area studies requirement via petition.