Global Management (GLBM)

No organization can flourish without managers who can understand the importance of developments beyond the borders of their home country, devise effective strategies to respond to the challenges of global competition, and understand the intricacies endemic to the global flows of capital and goods. The Global Management (GLBM) major offers students an opportunity to learn more about the international dimension of business and to prepare for careers in the global economy. Courses in GLBM will sensitize students to the changing institutional landscape, the increasingly complex flows of goods, talent and capital, and the international differences that influence organizational and managerial success. Students will also take relevant courses in other parts of the University, gaining insights into the political and economic dynamics of the global system and acquiring the linguistic and cultural understanding necessary to function in other countries. Global management graduates will have the necessary skills, knowledge and judgment to adapt to and manage effectively in an increasingly global business environment.

In the spring of their sophomore year, all BSBA students will, in consultation with their advisers, select a major from among one of the Freeman College of Management departments and will complete the specific major requirements in addition to the Freeman College core curriculum requirements. Transferring between majors within the Freeman College of Management is possible as long as the student will be able to meet all degree requirements of the new major and still graduate on schedule.

Global Management Requirements

Beyond completion of the Freeman College core curriculum requirements, all GLBM majors must demonstrate language proficiency beyond English and take the following courses:

Global Environment Electives

GLBM majors must take ONE Global Environment elective class from the list below. With permission of their adviser, students may substitute other courses appropriate to this category and satisfying learning objective #3, as long as such courses are taught by faculty outside the Freeman College of Management.

Area Studies Electives

GLBM majors must take TWO Area Studies Electives. The two courses should focus on the same region (such as East Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, etc.) and must be taught by faculty outside the Freeman College of Management. Courses appropriate to this category and satisfying learning objective #4 will be chosen by the students in consultation with their advisers.

Culminating Experience

All BSBA majors must satisfy the Culminating Experience component of the Freeman College of Management General Education Curriculum. GLBM majors typically fulfill this requirement by successfully completing GLBM 400 Global Manager Abroad. 

Language Skills

In addition to the course requirements, GLBM majors must demonstrate language proficiency beyond English. This requirement is satisfied in one of the following ways:

• Students whose native language is not English are considered to have met this requirement as a result of their studying at Bucknell.
• Students whose native language is English can demonstrate intermediate proficiency in a single additional language in the following ways:
  • Passing the fourth course or higher in a language sequence at Bucknell, or
  • Earning a score on a standardized test that equates to a proficiency level equivalent to the fourth course or higher in a language sequence at Bucknell, or
  • Passing equivalent courses taken outside of Bucknell and approved by the department chair of the Bucknell language department involved, or
  • Passing a one-credit, 200-level language course at Bucknell that focuses on the culture or society of a country or region.
• Students whose native language is English can demonstrate elementary proficiency in two additional languages in the following ways:
  • Passing the second course or higher in two language sequences at Bucknell, or
  • Earning scores on standardized tests that equate to proficiency levels equivalent to the second course or higher in each of two language sequences at Bucknell, or
  • Passing equivalent courses taken outside of Bucknell and approved by the department chairs of the Bucknell language departments involved.
• The department chair may determine that a particular student has demonstrated intermediate proficiency in one language or elementary proficiency in two languages as a result of experiences abroad.

Cultural Competencies

GLBM majors should arrange to study abroad in one of the many countries offered by the international programs available to Bucknell students. Students should choose one of the following means for selecting their study abroad location:

• Select a country in which one of the non-English languages they have studied is a predominant language.
• Select a country in the region they studied for their area studies electives.

Drawing upon their professional and liberal education, Freeman College of Management students will be able to collaboratively create positive societal impacts through:

Analysis

• Students will demonstrate the ability to understand organizations and analyze them rigorously.

Integrity

• Students will possess the judgment, vision and integrity necessary to serve society and their professions.

Morality

• Students will identify creative and morally responsible solutions to organizational and societal issues.

Faculty

Professors: Neil Boyd (Chair), Tammy B. Hiller, Eric C. Martin

Associate Professor: Jamie R. Hendry

Visiting Associate Professor: Vivienne Wildes