The individual project required in all three graduate international classes involves researching the company where you work and the creation of a 10-15 page report that closely examines the international activities (or international trade) of your employer. 

It is best to submit a one-page proposal to your professor for approval about two weeks into the class. A good example of a proposal is shown at the end of this document. Although the paper referenced in the following hyperlink is not about an international topic, it does show the simple but useful format expected: http://www2.una.edu/gcrawford/mk360/DL/hensley.htm

If there is no current international activity by your company, perhaps the company should be thinking international. Most large and medium-sized companies and organizations are now buying and/or selling internationally. It is felt that you will benefit from this research by becoming more knowledgeable about your company and about international business opportunities.  You may even uncover a few opportunities that your company may want to pursue some day. For those participants that are between jobs, a written paper on an international marketing topic is required. However, it must first be approved by the professor. 

"Average" length papers are usually about 10 pages or 4000 words, excluding references.  "Better" papers are often longer but not more than 15 pages or 6000 words.  Acceptable papers have a one inch margin on all sides, use standard 8.5x11 inch paper and a 12 point business font (Courier, New Courier or Times New Roman.)  Page numbers go at the bottom center of each page.  Please do not use fancy headers or footers or "artsy" type fonts and company logos. It is good to have your paper professionally bound if you are submitting hard copies.  If you are submitting digital attachments, please use Word and the .doc file extension. 

Please use modern referencing techniques, not numbered footnotes, such as "Ibid" or "Op. Cit," a bibliography, or "works cited". It is also best to limit the number of tables and graphics used. Professional writing normally involves the use of third person language, not first person (I, we, etc.) See examples at the following addresses: 
http://www2.una.edu/gcrawford/mk360/DL/hensley.htm
http://www2.una.edu/gcrawford/mk-mg491/Lithuania.htm
http://www2.una.edu/gcrawford/mk360/paper.htm

The project is due one week prior to the final exam. It must be properly referenced and must contain appropriate headings so as to follow your approved outline. 

The “generic” outline below may be useful to you. However, it would need to be more specific and have proper subheadings.

          I. Introduction and background of your company or organization (1 page*) 

          II. Brief past international business involvement by your company or organization on 
               a product-by-product basis or on a country-by-country basis (3 pages*) 

          III. Background for main countries with which your company or organization is 
                involved (**see attached list of possible sub-topics below) or should be involved 
                (3 pages.*) 

          IV. SWOT analysis of your company's international involvement by country and/or product 
                (4 pages*) 

          V. Possible future international direction, based on your findings (1 page.*) 

          VI. Conclusions  and  Recommendations (1 page.*) 

          VII. References (10 total, 8 of those from the Internet.)