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The required core curriculum for the Post MBA Masters in Global Management builds on courses already completed in your MBA program. It brings Thunderbird's unique emphasis on globally-focused business analysis, leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding and analytical tools critical to success in the global economy.

Core Curriculum

Foundations Week

This mandatory course covers key aspects of leadership, team building, motivation, ethics, cross-cultural communication, self-assessment and opportunities to explore career management and job search strategies. During Foundations Week, students work in learning groups (student cohorts) that interact on-and off-campus. This enhances teamwork and provides the initial opportunity to interact with students from all over the world.

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Foundational Global Courses

This requirement must include these essential classes:

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 GM-4000 Global Political Economy

This course offers an introduction to the  fundamentals of the international business environment and its three major aspects: (1) the institutional framework and policy management of international economic relations, (2) risk assessment and strategic analysis of nation-states, and (3) the operational and organizational concerns of the transnational enterprise. The purpose of the course is to provide the international manager with (a) an informed perspective on the institutions and policy processes that shape economic relations between international and national factors and among economic blocs as a foundation for further study in the Thunderbird program, and (b) the substantive base and analytical tools necessary for acquiring an informed perspective.

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GM-4600/4620/4640/4650/4660 Regional Business Environment

The Regional Business Environment courses deal  with the political and social context in which business activities take place. This includes consideration of eight factors that shape or reflect the operational realities of management and business, including: Patterns of historical development cover political, social and economic events and structures. Geographic environment involves human and economic geography, covering population and natural resource distributions, regional financial and trade centers, and transportation systems. Political environment includes government structure, state role, interest groups, political parties and the policy-making process. Cultural traditions cover religious traditions and socio-cultural dimensions that have a direct impact on business operations. International environment includes regional organizations, regional political and economic trends, regional peace and conflicts, and the place of the region in the global system. For economic environment, economic policies, current economy patterns, and major industries are discussed. Under legal environment, major regional trade barriers, investment policies, and intellectual property protection issues are covered. There are also discussions on major current issues.

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GM-4800 Cross-Cultural Communications

This dynamic and interactive course provides  managers with an effective framework for achieving their goals in competitive global business settings. The course will assist students to prepare for and execute time-tested strategies for achieving communication competence with persons from different cultures. It will not only examine theories of culture and communication, but will also place students in an experiential situation to gain valuable skills for overcoming obstacles in global management environments. Through use of cases, multicultural team exercises, and simulations, this course will equip the global manager with tools to solve problems and take advantage of opportunities in a multicultural world.

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GM-4801 Global Negotiations

This course will focus on the introduction of  negotiating in the global context.  Students will participate in a variety of hands on activities, such as scenario-driven discussions, case study and student-to-student negotiation.

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GM-4210 Global Economics

This course investigates the nature of foreign  exchange markets and hedging instruments; international financial markets and the transmission of funds; balance of payments; alternative international monetary arrangements and institutions; and the respective adjustment mechanisms in response to fiscal and monetary policy changes.  The course also examines how countries grow successfully and the causes of economic crisis.

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GM-5486 Global Leadership

This course provides practical insights into those factors, both external and internal, which impact leadership effectiveness. Topics covered include the achievements of leaders, characteristics of leaders, leading across cultures, leading change and relationship between leaders and followers.

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GM-4404 Global Enterprise: Entrepreneurship & Family Business

In global economies, entrepreneurship is the  engine of economic growth and prosperity. As emerging global leaders, it is important for you to understand the underlying principles and concepts about entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial process. This course covers the personal characteristics and qualities of the entrepreneur, innovation, creativity, the business plan, opportunity analysis, and the role of entrepreneurship in developed and developing economies. Aspects of the family business, an important part of every economy, are also covered to provide an understanding of their role in a developed or emerging economy.

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GM-4405 Governance & Social Responsibility

In recent years, the business world has become  increasingly sensitized to the presence of institutional governance and defining the culture of a corporation and its core values. Stated explicitly or not, these issues not only impact the reputation of the venture or corporation, but also its sustainability and financial bottom line.  As emerging global leaders, it is important for you to understand the underlying principles of this trend and its impact on the entrepreneurial process including how social responsibility and ethical values are woven into the fabric of entrepreneurial opportunity. This course provides an exploration into these basic concepts including how corporate and social organizations can act entrepreneurially and act in a socially responsible manner. The course focuses on corporate governance, stakeholder analysis and social responsibility. Participants will gain insight and practical skills for corporate organization and venturing, decision-making tools and perspectives, and models of non-profit and for-profit social enterprise

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