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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 301"
COURSE NAME: "Business Ethics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2020
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Annette Merle Bryson
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: Remote Learning
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course considers some of the most important ethical issues in business today. Students will examine such issues as businesses’ responsibilities to shareholders, workers and consumers, the pros and cons of a "free market," the challenges raised by globalization and environmental destruction, the idea of  "ethical" consumption, and the particular dilemmas faced by Western businesses working in foreign countries. Issues will be studied through a selection of contemporary cases, arguments, and broader theories, along with much class discussion, with the aim of helping students develop a familiarity with the issues and the ability to discuss and defend their own opinions.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

In this course, we will explore the ethical dimensions of interactions between people in business contexts and explore some of the ways in which we can think about the challenges we face. We will focus primarily on some prominent moral theories, exploring how these can be applied to some of the important ethical issues in business today. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will have gained: 

• A broad knowledge of moral philosophy and how it applies to business issues;
• A better understanding of the shortcomings and strengths of these various approaches to addressing ethical issues in business;
• A refinement of your own critical reasoning and argumentative skills;
• A refinement of your capacities to recognize and assess philosophical arguments;
• An enhancement of the conceptual tools we need to develop and defend our own philosophical views;
• A refinement of your abilities to defend and express philosophical positions in a clear, well-reasoning way through both writing and conversation;
• The (re)discovery of the joy of philosophical inquiry! 
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class Participation 20%
Quizzes  20%
Writing Assignment 1 20%
Writing Assignment 2 20%
Final Exam  20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
A maximum of two unexcused absences from class will be accepted. Beyond this, a zero grade will be given for each unexcused absence, bringing your average grade down. It is your responsibility to inform me if you miss or cannot participate fully in a class for a good reason. Good reasons include sickness, unavoidable appointments, religious holidays, and transport strikes, but not trips, guests, or malfunctioning alarm clocks. 
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week 1 

Day1: Introduction to Business Ethics

Day 2: The Importance of Business Ethics

Day 3: Ethical Theory and Business Ethics 

Day 4: Case Study: Facebook

Week 2 

Day 5: The Social Responsibility of Business is to increase its Profits: Milton Friedman’s Shareholder Theory

Day 6: Utilitarianism and Business 

Day 7: Case study: Corporate Greed: The Pharmaceutical Companies

Day 8: Business is about Purpose: Freeman’s Stakeholder Theory

Week 3

Day 9: Virtue Ethics and Business 

Day 10: Case Studies: Creating Shared Value: Nike, Patagonia

Day 11: Principle-Based Ethics and Business 

Day 12: Case Studies: Sweatshops

Week 4

Day 13: Distributive Justice and Business 

Day 14: Case Studies: […]

Day 15: Distributive Justice and Business, continued

Day 16: Case Studies: […]

Week 5

Day 17: Presentation of Case Studies

Day 18: Presentation of Case Studies  

Day 19: Wrapping up and Exam Preparation

Day 20: Final Exam