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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 301-1"
COURSE NAME: "Business Ethics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Tom Bailey
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10 am and 4.30-6 pm, or by appointment
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:
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 ‘social’ responsibilities and ‘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 focusing exclusively on ‘strategy’ (the instrumental management of ethical issues by business), ‘theory’ (the study of abstract ethical principles, then ‘applied’ to cases) or ‘virtue’ (the moral improvement of individuals), the course combines elements of these different approaches in the broader activity of developing your own views about the ethics of business.  

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, 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 five specific stakeholder groups – consumers, workers, shareholders, the environment, and foreign countries – through more sophisticated and specific theories and more complex cases and issues. This part of the course will also involve some group research work, which will provide the basis for your second assignment. We will conclude by reflecting on some more general views about the nature, value and limits of business and business ethics, in light of the ideas and cases that we have studied. At the end of the course there will be a 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 in 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 Wednesday 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 present 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 two essays written over three hours under examination conditions. The examination questions will be distributed on Wednesday of week 13 and at the examination, to take place in week 15, students will be given a selection 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:           Monday: Ben & Jerry’s                                                                      

                        Wednesday: General Motors

 Week 3:          Monday: GlaxoSmithKline and AIDS drugs

                        Wednesday: BP, deepwater drilling, and fracking

Part II. Contemporary debates

Week 4:           Free markets                                                                            

                        Monday: For and against markets      

                        Wednesday: Wal-Mart                                                           

Week 5:           Social responsibilities         

                        Monday: Concepts of social responsibility                 

                        Wednesday: Starbucks

Week 6:           Government                          

                        Monday: Efficiency and equality                      

                        Wednesday: Healthcare reform  

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

Part III. Stakeholder groups

Week 8:           Consumers                                                                                     

                        Monday: Choices and advertising                      

                        Wednesday: Industrial food + Fast food

Week 9:           Workers

                        Monday: Fairness, respect and participation  

                        Wednesday: Apple and sweatshops + Working in the US                             

Week 10:         Shareholders                         

                        Monday: Shareholder priority?                       

                        Wednesday: Ethical investment and anti-corporate ethics + Financial crisis

Week 11:         The environment                 

                        Monday: Sustainability

                        Wednesday: Genetic engineering + Green business                                               

Week 12:         International business                    

                        Monday: Multinationals and global trade

                        Wednesday: Corruption + Tourism

Conclusions: Rights and wrongs of business (ethics)                                            

Week 13:         Monday: Market failures and morality: What should not be for sale?

                        Wednesday: Against business ethics

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. Ethical Consumer, ‘Swallowed Up’                                                                                               

   Page and Katz, ‘The Truth About Ben and Jerry’s’

   Economic Policy Institute, ‘An Investment, Not a Bailout’                                                 

   The Economist, ‘Saving Detroit is a Mistake’                                                       

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

    Gray (dir.), Fire in the Blood

    Stanford University Rural West Initiative, An Unquiet Landscape                          

    Sierra Club, ‘Ending Our Dependence on Oil’ 

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

    Cassidy, How Markets Fail

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

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

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

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

    Starbucks, Global Responsibility Report 2014                                                                                   

    Global Exchange, ‘Starbucks Campaign’

6. Rawls, A Theory of Justice                                                                                                              

    Simmons, ‘Pathological Politics: An Anatomy of Government Failure’    

    Kaiser Foundation, ‘Health Reform’                                                                                            

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

8. Smith, ‘The Consumer Sovereignty Test’                                                                                     

    Kilbourne, Can’t Buy My Love                                                                                    

    Soechtig (dir.), Fed Up                                                                                                            

    Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma  

    Warner, Pandora’s Lunchbox                                                                                                       

    Nestle, Food Politics

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

    Orlando, ‘The Fourth Wave: Corporate Downsizing’   

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

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

    Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed, Bait and Switch                                                                       

    Moretti, The New Geography of Jobs

10. Boatright, ‘What’s So Special About Shareholders?’                                                                    

      Norman, ‘The Financial Theory of the Firm’                                   

      Bakan (dir.), The Corporation                                                                                           

      Schwartz, ‘The “Ethics” of Ethical Investing’

      Krugman, The Return of Depression Economics                                                                                      

      Davies, The Financial Crisis: Who is to Blame?

11. Hawken, ‘A Roadmap for Natural Capitalism’                                                               

      Garvey, The Ethics of Climate Change

      Rauch, ‘Will Frankenfood Save the Planet?’                                                                    

      Bostrom and Roache, ‘Ethical Issues in Human Enhancement’      

      McDonough, Cradle to Cradle                                                                                     

      Esty and Simmons, The Green to Gold Business Playbook

12. Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree                                                                             

     Crane and Matten, ‘Corporate Citizenship’    

     Shaw, ‘Foreign Corrupt Practices Act’                                                                            

     Council on Foreign Relations, ‘Google and Saving Face in China’                  

     Holloway, The Business of Tourism                                                                                                    

     Honey, Ecotourism and Sustainable Development  

13. Heath, ‘A Market Failures Approach to Business Ethics’                                             

     Sandel, ‘How Markets Crowd Out Morals’  

     Jones, Parker and Ten Bos, Against Business Ethics