A lecture with questions and answers to follow. Dr. James Piscatori, International Authority on Islamic Studies; Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford University and Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies; University Lecturer in Islamic Politics, Oxford University Authored, Co-authored or Edited of the following: Muslim Politics; Islam in a World of Nation-States; Islam in the Political Process; Islamic Fundamentalisms and the Gulf Crisis and others.

This Workshop offers participants valuable insights into the relationship between foreign language and international business, discusses how to develop a business language curriculum, and explores the resources available to the foreign language educator interested in this new and exciting field. Above all, this workshop will serve as a unique forum for the exchange of ideas among participants.

The invited conference participants represent a broad cross-section of international scholarship; they range from advanced doctoral students to senior faculty and also include leading thinkers from the world of practice. At least half of the participants each year will be new to the conference, counteracting lock-in and ensuring the exploration of fresh ideas. The JIBS editorial team shall attend each conference; the aim is to maximize their sensitivity and appreciation of emerging research themes.

Bernard Yeung, Abraham Krasnoff Professor of Global Business, Professor of Economics and Professor of Management, at the Stern School of Business, New York University, will present "Thinking about the functionality of equity markets - let International Business and Finance meet."

Mr. John Pearson, Vice President & Executive Director, Capital Choice Partnership, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, will present "The Changing Face of China - from Pagodas to Cell Towers"

Since 1990, a consortium of organizations has offered a luncheon speaker series under the auspices of the International Business Forum (IBF) targeted to local academics, public policy makers, and the local business community. The IBF has now become The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan, with a newly developed focus on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The GB Club is dedicated to supporting global business growth tied to Michigan and its diverse corporations. The main activity of the GB Club is the luncheon speaker series.

Paul Vaaler, Associate Professor of International Business and Director of the Hitachi Center for Technology & International Affairs at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, will present a Research Seminar on "DEMOCRACY'S RISK PREMIUM: Political Business Cycle Effects on Sovereign Risk Ratings and Bond Spreads in Developing Countries."

Coskun Samli, Professor of Marketing & International Business from the University of North Florida, will present a research seminar titled "Globalization Process and Quality of Life in Third World Countries: The Need for a Second Wave."

Tevfik Dalgic, Professor of International Marketing and Strategy at the School of Management of the University of Texas at Dallas, will present a research seminar titled "Ethnicity and International Marketing."

The 5th Biennial International Business Institute for Community College Faculty is a unique professional development program designed specifically for community and technical college faculty. The Institute is designed to provide participants with the knowledge, experience and resources they need to internationalize general business courses and/or develop specialized international business courses at the two-year college level.