Instructor: Dr. Ifte Choudhury

Office: Room 428, Langford Architecture Center, Bldg. A

Phone: 845-7000

Office hours: 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. TR or any other time by appointment

Course objectives:

• To examine the problems, opportunities, and procedures related to international construction projects
• To discuss the social, cultural, economic, and legal aspects of international contracting
• To evolve conceptual theories to address the issues of cooperative or combined actions when diverse groups of people work together in a foreign environment

Readings:

• Reading assignments will be chosen by the instructor from current texts and journals. Copies of that will be made available in a local copy center.

Assignments:

• All students are required to conduct research on the following topics and present their findings during class discussions. No hard copy of the findings are required to be submitted. The topics and their discussion dates will be as follows:

Research Paper:

• Students will prepare one research paper related to the construction industry in any country in one of the following regions:
• Asia
• Far East
• Middle East
• South East
• Africa
• Australia
• Europe
• Eastern Europe
• Western Europe
• Latin America
• North America
• Any of the following topics may be chosen for writing the papers:
  • Influence of socio-cultural factors on construction
• Use of indigenous methods and materials in construction
• Influence of political environment on construction
• Ethical issues related to construction
• Multinational corporations engaged in construction
• Role of multilateral development banks in construction
• Contractual arrangements
• Estimating and bidding procedures
• International competitiveness
• Case study of a completed international project constructed by a US contractor

Tests:

There will be two tests during the semester. The exam dates and topics covered for each test will be as follows:

Class attendance: :

Class attendance is mandatory. Half a point will be deducted for every unexcused absence. A student with more than 4 (four) unexcused absences will receive an 'F' in the course. Students may not receive an excused absence for a job interview. Please review the Expected Student Behavior Guidelines.

Evaluation:

Students in Construction Science are preparing to enter an industry where conservative, traditional behavior is expected. The following rules are promulgated to supplement those published in Texas A&M University Student Rules, and to foster disciplined behavior that will be demanded by the industry.

CLASS ATTENDANCE: Class attendance is mandatory. Unexcused absences will affect a student’s grade at the discretion of the instructor as shown in the course syllabus and as required below.

• EXCUSED ABSENCE: Absences may be excused by the instructor only if [1] the student consults with the instructor in advance of the absence and the instructor agrees that the absence will be excused, or [2] the student provides written documentation to the instructor within five class days following the student’s absence and the instructor agrees that the absence is excused. In all cases it is the student’s responsibility to make up any work missed by any class absence.

• LIMIT ON UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: Unexcused absences will affect a student’s grade in the class at the discretion of the instructor. Any student who misses more than 10% of the scheduled class hours with unexcused absences will receive an "F" in the course. [For example, a student with five or more unexcused absences in a three-credit course that meets one hour on MWF would receive an "F".]

• PUNCTUALITY: Students are expected to be in class at the time the class is scheduled to start. Repeated tardiness is unacceptable behavior and may result in a reduction in a student’s grade.

• LEAVING CLASS EARLY: Leaving class early before the instructor has dismissed the class [unless arrangements have been made with and approved by the instructor in advance] is rude and unacceptable behavior and may result in the student having an unexcused absence recorded.

ATTIRE: Students are expected to dress appropriately in a manner that is not offensive to other students or faculty. Hats and caps will not be worn in class. Faculty may require students violating this rule to leave class and receive an unexcused absence.

FOOD AND DRINKS: Food, drinks and tobacco products of any kind are not permitted to be used or consumed in the classroom. Faculty may require students violating this rule to leave the classroom and receive an unexcused absence.

CELL PHONES AND PAGERS: All cell phone and pager audio signals will be turned off before entering class. Cell phones may not be used in class.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: A student’s work is expected to be his /her own. Academic dishonesty of any kind is unethical and unacceptable behavior and may result in severe sanctions as provided in the TAMU Student Rules.

ETHICS: The construction industry demands the highest standard of ethical conduct. An individual’s word is his/her bond. In all ways and at all times students of Construction Science are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct.

• If a student agrees to participate in a field trip, and then does not participate in the trip, faculty will counsel the student and the student’s grade may be lowered.
  
• If the student signs up for a job interview and then fails to appear, or appears in inappropriate attire, the student embarrasses himself, his colleagues, and the Department; students who abuse this privilege may not be permitted to sign up for additional interviews.

ADA STATEMENT: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities and require they be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation for this disability. 

If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation, please notify the professor, and contact the Office of Support Services.  The phone number is 845-1636.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT: The handouts in this course are copyrighted by "handouts".   All materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, examinations, lab problems, in-class materials, review sheets, handout sheets, and additional problems sets.  Because these materials are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy any of these materials unless permission is granted.