Syllabus

Title
6424 IB Business Project: International Business in Action - in Cooperation with Gies College of Business
Instructors
James Noonan, J.D.
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
02/18/26 to 02/22/26
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Tuesday 02/24/26 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 02/26/26 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 03/05/26 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 04/09/26 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM Online-Einheit
Friday 05/22/26 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM Extern
Saturday 05/23/26 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM Extern
Tuesday 05/26/26 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM D5.0.001
Wednesday 05/27/26 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM Extern
Thursday 05/28/26 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM LC.2.400 Clubraum
Contents

“Business in Action” is a collaborative online study course that includes an on-site component. It is jointly organized by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Gies College of Business) and WU Vienna, in cooperation with European partner universities participating in the ENGAGE.EU program. The course brings together bachelor’s-level students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds to explore international business practices. 

Through interdisciplinary teamwork, applied problem-solving, and intercultural collaboration, students develop essential professional competencies. Group projects, company visits, and in-person mentoring sessions provide students with practical insights into innovative Austrian enterprises and foster meaningful international networking opportunities. 

The course will take place online during the semester between February-May 2026 and on-site in Vienna and Graz from May 22-30, 2026 

This course is all about learning by doing. It is designed to give students a real-world experience as they work in a team with a real organization to help solve a problem the organization is facing.  

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, students should be able to: 

Work in a Team: Students will learn and apply strategies to build and maintain a high-performing team. 

Tell Your Story: Students will learn to communicate more effectively and practice with their team & client. 

Solve a Problem: Students will learn tools to help them solve complex problems & put them to use with a client. 

Attendance requirements

The course includes online sessions during the semester, as well as a number of excursions, on-site clients visits and the closing ceremony, which, too, contain formal presentations or other typically in-class elements. Full attendance (online) and on all indicated excursions (see itinerary) for WU Vienna and ENGAGE.EU students is mandatory and an expected component of your learning experience. 

 

Full attendance (online)and on all indicated excursions (see itinerary) for WU students is mandatory and an expected component of your learning experience. You are expected to attend 80% of all mandatory activities in total.  

Teaching/learning method(s)

Online/remote 24.02.2026-02.05.2026: 

Exclusive online sessions for WU/ENGAGE students with Prof. James Noonan, online team meetings and client calls according to availability of the students’ teams, midpoint and final presentation online (to be handed in tba), peer review.

Each team will be coached by an experienced student called a Senior Manager. SMs will meet with teams regularly and provide feedback & help. 

On-site program dates in Vienna and Graz 22.05.-30.05.2026: 

Company visits, cultural excursions, and on-site client visits including presentation of findings, closing ceremony and lecture at WU. Please see more information in the itinerary here. 

Assessment

Individual Expectations Due Date 

Attendance 36% Each class session 

Midpoint Peer Evaluation 4% After midpoint to client 

Initial Reflection 6% After midpoint peer eval 

Final Peer Evaluation 4% After final to client 

Final Reflection 6% After final class 

Team Expectations 

Midpoint Presentation 15% Week 9 

Final Presentation 25% Friday, 5/2 @ 11:59p 

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

Please note that WU students do not pay any tuition fees for the course and the on-site program. 

In the on-site program are included: 

Welcome lunch, course excursions (Riegersburg, Zotter, Graz city tour, Eggenberg Castle, optional Rax hike, optional Old Danube boat tour, optional Vienna guided city tour), Graz accommodation & transportation, and catering at the BiA closing ceremony. 

 

Please see more information in the itinerary here. 

For any organizational questions please contact: 

kathrin.blasbichler@wu.ac.at 

Readings

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Last edited: 2025-12-03



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