International Business, Language, & Culture (IBLC)

Perspectives on Culture and Business introduces students to key concepts at the intersection of business and language study. How do culture and language shape regional business practices? How do commerce and trade shape culture in turn? The course aims to equip students with tools and critical capacities they will bring to bear in their future work in MSB and FLL courses. Meeting once a week, students entering from both schools will learn and practice these concepts as a group, forming a cohort, and encountering the faculty whose cross-disciplinary work lies at this intersection, while focusing on business-related case studies from various linguistic and cultural traditions.

This capstone course immerses students in experiential, project-based learning, equipping them to analyze and solve complex global business challenges in multilingual environments. Students apply business strategy, cultural intelligence, and language proficiency through real-world consulting projects with international organizations to assess market dynamics, regulatory landscapes, and corporate strategy. While the course does not include global travel, students engage in virtual cross-border business simulations, collaborate with international organizations, and interact with global industry leaders. Mirroring real-world business complexities—ambiguity, data limitations, and shifting objectives—the course fosters adaptability and critical problem-solving skills essential for global leadership. The curriculum integrates Harvard Business Review (HBR) case studies, business simulations, and expert insights, sharpening students' analytical, communication, and teamwork abilities. The capstone concludes with a professional consulting report and presentation. Students will develop the ability to synthesize knowledge into actionable recommendations for executive decision-makers.