Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 301-3"
COURSE NAME: "Business Ethics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Annie Hewitt
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30AM 12:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will be divided into two parts: in the first, we will explore three influential ethical theories: virtue ethics, deontology and utilitarianism. In the second, we will examine and analyze concrete questions in business ethics in light of these theories (questions like, should companies be driven by anything other than an aim to increase profits? What (if any) are some compelling reasons to limit the free market? How do business and commerce relate to the social order? How might cultural and political differences come to play in an increasingly globalized marketplace?). Throughout this theoretical and practical study, we will not only grapple with some of the very thorny issues that face businesses today, but more broadly, we will see what happens — and how to think clearly — when those principles we hold to be good and just intersect with the complex, messy world in which we live and act.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course will have both theoretical and practical components. Students will analyze abstract ideas and then work to see how they apply — or fail to apply — to the ‘real’ world. Assignments include readings from academic journals, interviews with philosophers, and a film. Students are expected to be actively engaged both with their readings outside of class, and in discussions and debates in class. Students will be asked to present and defend their views, or clearly articulate those persistent questions that cause them to be unsure about just where they land on any given issue.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

to become familiar with ethical theories and their foundational principles and assumptions
to develop a sense of some of the most pressing issues and concerns that businesses, consumers, and society as a whole must confront today as they make choices about what to buy, where to work, whome to hire, etc.
to identify the competing interests within a single ethical dilemma
to learn how to identify an argument, and to construct — through textual support and evidence — persuasive, thesis-driven arguments of one’s own
to become active, engaged and critical readers

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?	Michael Sandel	Farrar, Straus and Giroux	978-0-374-53250-5

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Business Ethics and Ethical Business	Robert Audi	Oxford University Press	9780195369106
Ethics at Work	William Shaw	Oxford University Press	0-19-513942-9

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Class Participation (including presentation)		30%
Midterm		20%
Paper		25%
Final		25%

-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 cours
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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

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

Part 1) 3 Influential Ethical Theories

Week 1: Virtue Ethics

Week 2: Deontology

Week 3: Utilitarianism

Part 2) Concrete Issues

Weeks 4: Do corporations have rights and responsibilities?

Week 5: Do employees have the right to whistle blow?

Week 6: Is everything for sale?

Weeks 7: Do we (as business owners and/or consumers) have obligations to the planet?

Week 8: Is a greater profit the overriding responsibility of a company to its shareholders?

Weeks 9: Midterm

Week 10: What is the relationship between individual rights/expression and corporate obligations?

Week 11: Are sweatshops ever justifiable?

Week 12: Why is insider trading illegal?

Week 13: What are some benefits and what are some drawbacks of privatization?

Week 14: Review and Final Exam