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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 301-1"
COURSE NAME: "Business Ethics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Tom Bailey
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course examines some of the most important ethical issues in business today, such as businesses’ responsibilities to investors, workers and consumers, the pros and cons of ‘free markets’, the challenges raised by globalization and environmental damage, ideas of ‘ethical’ investment and consumption, and the special dilemmas faced by multinational businesses. We will study these issues through a selection of contemporary cases, issues, arguments, and approaches, along with much class discussion, with the aim of helping you to develop a familiarity with the debates and your ability to discuss, reflect on and defend your own ethical views. Thus, rather than taking an exclusively ‘strategic’ (the instrumental management of ethical issues by business), ‘theoretical’ (the study of abstract ethical theory, then ‘applied’ to cases) or ‘preaching’ (the moral improvement of businesspeople) approach, the course combines elements of these approaches within the broader activity of developing your own views about the ethics of business.  
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

In the first part of the course, we will study and discuss four introductory cases, to start you thinking about some key questions in business ethics. Then, in the second part, we will explore three fundamental debates – over the ethics of free markets, different ideas of businesses’ social responsibilities and the government’s role in regulating business. For each of these debates, we will study the main ethical ideas and arguments as well as a specific, representative case. You will then prepare your first written assignment. In the third part of the course, we will examine businesses’ relations to specific stakeholder groups – consumers, shareholders, workers, communities, the environment, and foreign countries – through more sophisticated and specific theories and more complex issues. This will also involve some group research work, which will provide the basis for your second assignment. At the end of the course, there will be a short final exam.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

More specifically, by the end of the course you will be able to:

• recognize and analyze ethical issues raised by contemporary businesses in their relations with consumers, shareholders, workers, wider communities, government and the environment;
• analyze relevant recent cases, along with specific positions and arguments regarding them;
• analyze and employ broader theoretical approaches, debates and concepts in business ethics;
• develop informed, reasoned positions regarding these issues, cases and broader theoretical aspects;
• explain and analyze course material orally and in written forms and individual and group contexts;
• make appropriate use of original and academic resources and undertake guided research work.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class participationClasses will involve a mixture of lecturing, seminar discussions, group presentations and other activities. The emphasis will be on helping you to develop your own opinions and arguments and your ability to discuss them with others, as well as your understanding of the materials, issues and relevant ethical concepts and arguments. Your active involvement in discussions and other class activities, based on adequate preparation outside class, is therefore essential. 20%
Class forum contributionsSince the online forum is intended to allow for free discussion, I will not assess the content of your posts. So you will receive the full (100%) grade for this assessment simply if you post on time for each class. You may miss two posts without excuse, but if you miss more than this without giving me a good reason, you will receive a zero grade for this assessment and thus ‘lose’ 10 points from your overall grade. 10%
Mid-term assignmentThe mid-term written assignment will be a ‘take-home’ assignment of 1200-1300 words, written in response to one of a selection of questions which I will provide. I will distribute the questions on Thursday of week 6 and the assignment should be submitted by Friday of week 7. 20%
Final assignmentThe final assignment will be based on your research work in the third part of the course. This will concern a topic either chosen from among those suggested by me or developed from your own particular interests. After undertaking and presenting this research work in a small group (see ‘Project presentation’ below), you will develop it into your final written assignment, in response to a question agreed with me. This assignment will be 1400-1600 words in length and should be submitted within two weeks of the group presentation.20%
Project presentationYour research work on a topic in the third part of the course will be done initially in a small group, which will its findings to the class. These group presentations will be evaluated according to the research, understanding and analytical and critical thinking displayed and the structure, supports and delivery of the presentation. Each member of the group will receive the same presentation grade. 10%
End-of-course written examination The examination will consist of an essay written over an hour and a half under examination conditions. The examination questions will be distributed on Thursday of week 13 and at the examination, to take place in week 15, students will be given three of these questions to choose from. 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, you will receive a zero grade 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 illness, unavoidable appointments and transport strikes, but not trips, guests and malfunctioning alarm clocks. Note that arriving late to class, leaving for lengthy ‘toilet breaks’ and using a laptop or mobile phone in class also count as ‘unexcused absences’.
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

Class schedule and topics

 Week 1:           Introduction to business ethics

Part I. Introductory cases 

Week 2:           Tuesday: Ben & Jerry’s                                                                      

                        Thursday: General Motors

 Week 3:          Tuesday: GlaxoSmithKline and AIDS drugs

                        Thursday: Fracking and deepwater drilling

Part II. Contemporary debates

Week 4:           Free markets                                                                            

                        Tuesday: For and against markets      

                        Thursday: Wal-Mart                                                           

Week 5:           Social responsibilities         

                        Tuesday: Concepts of CSR                 

                        Thursday: Starbucks

Week 6:           Government                          

                        Tuesday: Freedom and equality                      

                        Thursday: Healthcare reform  

Week 7:           Review and preparation of mid-term assignment + Project work preparation

Part III. Stakeholder groups

Week 8:           Consumers                                                                                     

                        Tuesday: Choices and advertising manipulation                     

                        Thursday: Industrial food + Fast food

Week 9:           Workers

                        Tuesday: Fairness, respect and participation  

                        Thursday: Apple and sweatshops + Working in the US                             

Week 10:         Shareholders                         

                        Tuesday: Shareholder priority?                       

                        Thursday: Anti-corporate views + Financial crisis

Week 11:         Communities                       

                        Tuesday: The social contract              

                        Thursday: Social business + Media                                                     

Week 12:         The environment                 

                        Tuesday: Oil and sustainability

                        Thursday: Genetic engineering + Green business                                               

Week 13:         International business                    

                        Tuesday: Corporate citizenship

                        Thursday: Google, Coca-Cola, De Beers + Tourism                                                               

Week 14:         Review for final examination

Basic bibliography

Below is a selection of the basic readings, online materials and documentaries that you will be expected to study for each class, arranged by week and class. Further materials will be provided on the class website or in class and detailed references to all materials will also be given on the class website.

2. White, ‘A Brief Account of Ben & Jerry’s’                                                                                 Ben & Jerry’s

    Ethical Consumer, ‘Swallowed Up’

    The Economist, ‘Saving Detroit is a Mistake’ and ‘Bankruptcy, At Last’                             General Motors

    Economic Policy Institute, ‘An Investment’ and ‘Setting the Record Straight’

3. AVERT, ‘AIDS, Drug Prices and Generic Drugs’                                                                 GlaxoSmithKline

    GlaxoSmithKline, ‘Access to Healthcare’   

    Stanford University Rural West Initiative, An Unquiet Landscape                  Fracking and deepwater drilling

    Sierra Club, ‘Ending Our Dependence on Oil’

4. Friedman, ‘The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits’                                    Free markets

    Cassidy, Why Markets Fail

    Greenwald (dir.), Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices                                                        Wal-Mart

    Hemphill, ‘Demonizing Wal-Mart: What Do the Facts Tell Us?’

5. Carroll, ‘The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility’                                                  Social responsibilities

    Evan and Freeman, ‘A Stakeholder Theory of the Modern Corporation’

    Starbucks, 2011 Global Responsibility Report                                                                                       Starbucks

    Global Exchange, ‘Starbucks Campaign’     

6. Rawls, A Theory of Justice                                                                                                               Government

    Nozick, Anarchy, State and Utopia

    Kaiser Foundation, ‘Health Reform’                                                                                 Healthcare

    Herzlinger, ‘Healthcare Reform and its Implications for the U.S. Economy’

8. Smith, ‘The Consumer Sovereignty Test’                                                                                       Consumers

    Kilbourne, Can’t Buy My Love                                                                                      

    Kenner (dir.), Food Inc.                                                                                                             Industrial food

    Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma  

    Schlosser, Fast Food Nation                                                                                                             Fast food

    Nestle, Food Politics

9. Bowie, ‘A Kantian Approach to Business Ethics’                                                                              Workers

    Orlando, ‘The Fourth Wave: Corporate Downsizing’   

    Maitland, ‘The Great Non-Debate over International Sweatshops’                                                Sweatshops

    Duhigg and Barboza, ‘In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad’

    Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed, Bait and Switch                                                                      Working in the US

    PBS Now, ‘Income and Inequality’

10. Norman, ‘The Financial Theory of the Firm’                                                                 Shareholders

      Martin, ‘The Age of Consumer Capitalism’               

      Bakan (dir.), The Corporation                                                                                                   Anti-corporate

      Ferguson (dir.), Inside Job                                                                                                       Financial crisis

      Krugman, The Return of Depression Economics

11. Donaldson and Dunfee, ‘The Social Contract for Business Ethics’                                Communities

      Yunus, Creating a World Without Poverty                                                                                     Social business

      Grameen America     

      De Zengotita, Mediated                                                                                                                     Media

      McChesney, Rich Media, Poor Democracy                      

12. Hawken, ‘A Roadmap for Natural Capitalism’                                                                          Environment

      Garvey, The Ethics of Climate Change

      Rauch, ‘Will Frankenfood Save the Planet?’                                                                       Genetic engineering

      Bostrom and Roache, ‘Ethical Issues in Human Enhancement’      

      McDonough, Cradle to Cradle                                                                                                Green business

      Esty and Simmons, The Green to Gold Business Playbook

13. Crane and Matten, ‘Corporate Citizenship’                                                                    International business

      Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree    

      Council on Foreign Relations, ‘Google and Saving Face in China’                         Google, Coca-Cola, De Beers

      Channel 4 Dispatches, Mark Thomas on Coca-Cola

      Global Witness, ‘Global Witness leaves Kimberley Process’                                   

      Holloway, The Business of Tourism                                                                                                     Tourism

      Honey, Ecotourism and Sustainable Development