|
Course Description and Goals In this seminar we
will examine ethical issues in the context of business theory and practice.
In the process of exploring these issues and raising questions, we will draw
on a wide body of literatures including the humanities, management theory,
and the social sciences. Among the most important goals of this course are:
(1) to jointly examine thoughtfully ideas and perspectives in the field of
business ethics and extend these ideas/perspectives to administrative
practice and decision making; and (2) to enhance our moral sensibility and
expand our capacity for moral inquiry, dialogue, and decision making in ways
that will be useful in our professional and civic lives. A variety of
teaching methods will be used to facilitate achieving these goals including
class case discussions, small group discussions, mini-lectures, and
videos/films. Course Requirements Cases (50%) It is expected
that whenever possible, you will be present in class to turn in and discuss
your case analyses. If for some reason you cannot make class, please let me
know in advance and make plans to have the case turned in before the beginning of class either
by another student, via fax, etc. Cases
will not be accepted after the beginning of the class when the case is due. Socially Responsible Business Profile
(15%) This course provides you with an
opportunity to explore a company that has developed ethically sound policies
in a number of domains, for example, community service, environmental
responsibility, work-family programs, labor practices, etc. You are asked to
prepare a 5-7 page (double spaced, 12 point font, 1”margins) company profile
that corresponds to the following outline: (1) Briefly describe the company indicating its
size, the industry or industries the company operates in, and the mission and
values of the company. (2) Discuss in depth how this particular
organization pursues socially responsible business practices. You may choose
to focus in on one area (e.g., work-family programs), or discuss a variety of
initiatives. (3) How well can the policies, programs, or
practices you have highlighted be applied to other
companies? What unique elements of the company (e.g., its culture, leadership
support) may be particularly important in shaping the company’s commitment to
socially responsible business
practices? I will evaluate
your paper based on how thoroughly and thoughtfully you have addressed the
three areas outlined above (especially sections 2 & 3). You are strongly
encouraged to use research resources (www.business-ethics.com) and
interviews in developing your paper. I will ask for references of source
materials you used in preparing your profile. You will be asked to share your
company profile with class members in small group discussions. On your assigned date of presentation, be
prepared to turn in your paper and provide students with a brief summary of
your paper. Papers will not be accepted after the due date you have been
assigned. Student Ethics Mini-Case
(15%) Try to select a
case that you believe others will identify with either because they have
faced similar situations or may face a similar situation in the future. The
cases can address issues similar to those discussed in class or raise
important issues/dilemmas we may not have been able to discuss. Consider
cases where there is a real ethical dilemma and where the class has to
struggle with some tough ethical issues and make a recommendation on taking
action in the case. The cases will be due on the dates outlined
in the syllabus (please make copies for everyone in discussion group) and
each of you will be assigned one of the dates specified in the syllabus. After students have read the mini-case in
class, the group should discuss how they would resolve the ethical dilemma.
I’ll then ask you to share with them the decision you made and the justification
for your decision. In addition to turning in your one-page case, you will be
responsible for a three-five page (double-space with 1” margins) write-up
that includes the central ethical issues brought out in the case, what you
learned from this particular dilemma and how (if at all) the experience
influenced your character, and what lessons you can pass on to others who
might face similar situations. Class Participation
(20%) Required The following book
is available in the WSUV Bookstore: The book Nickle & Dimed,
by Barbara Ehrenreich, is required for the course.
The book is widely available in bookstores and on-line in paperback. A number of
required readings have been placed on electronic reserve with the WSU
Vancouver Library (noted by "R" in syllabus). You can gain access
to these readings through visiting http://eres.wsulibs.wsu.edu/eres/coursepass.aspx?cid=827.
I will provide a password for you to use in class. There are a number
of assigned cases as well that you will purchase directly from the Office Hours Availability
of Final Grades and Cases/Projects Final grades will
be submitted two weeks after the conclusion of the course. Final grades are
available on METRO the day following grade submission. If you want your final
case and/or project returned to you, please leave me a SASE on the final day
of class. Academic
Integrity & Academic Dishonesty Students are expected to uphold the WSU standard of conduct relating to academic dishonesty (see WSU Student Handbook, WAC 504-25-015). Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. The guiding principle of academic integrity shall be that a student’s submitted work, examinations, reports, and projects must be that student’s own work. Students shall be guilty of violating the honor code if they: 1. Represent the work of others as their own. 2. Use or obtain unauthorized assistance in any academic work. 3. Give unauthorized assistance to other students. 4. Modify, without instructor approval, an examination, paper, record or report for the purpose of obtaining additional credit. 5. Misrepresent the content of submitted work. The penalty for violating the honor code is severe. The first offense will result in a failing grade for the course. All offenses will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. If a student is unclear about whether a particular situation may constitute an honor code violation, the student should meet with the instructor to discuss the situation. Student
Conduct & Deportment Per the WSU Vancouver
Student Handbook, students are, “Expected to show due respect for …the rights
of others.” For example, “While students have the right to freedom of
expression…this expression cannot interfere with the rights of others or
disrupt the processes of the University. Any malicious act which causes harm
to any person’s physical or mental well being is prohibited.” Such activities
include sexual harassment, discrimination, intimidation (e.g. bullying or
belittling fellow students), disruptive behavior (e.g., loud talking in
class, or slanderous comments made about other students or faculty (e.g.,
false and unsubstantiated claims of discrimination made for the purpose of
improving grades). Students should be familiar with the Reporting
Violations Anyone wishing to
report violations of the student or faculty conduct code should use the
following procedures. Whenever possible, collect any documentation of the
offending activity (e.g. written comments from other students or faculty,
e-mail messages etc.). It is also useful for students to put their concerns
in writing to faculty or administrators pursuing the matter can accurately
convey the student’s concerns. Present the complaint and supporting
documentation to the appropriate faculty member or administrator. The process
should begin with the class instructor. If the instructor is unable to
resolve the matter to the student’s satisfaction, of the problem behavior
spans multiple classes, or if the nature of the problem makes this
impossible, the complaint should be forwarded to the Program Director. If the
matter is still not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the complaint
should proceed to the Associate Dean, then the Chancellor and finally to the
University Ombudsman. See the WSU Vancouver student manual for more detail
concerning this process. Disability
Accommodations Accommodations may
be available if you need them in order to fully participate in this class
because of a disability. Accommodations may take some time to implement so it
is critical that you contact Disability Services as soon as possible. All
accommodations must be approved through Disability Services,
located in the ON-CAMPUS COUNSELING
is available in VCLB 160D. Phone 546-9446 I look forward to spending an intensive and
rich Fall with you. Welcome to the course! |
Mgt. 487: Seminar in Business
Ethics Course Outline – Fall 2007
|
Aug.
24 |
Ethical Focus:
Course Introduction & Overview Recommended |
|
Aug.
31 |
Ethical Focus:
Developing A Framework for Ethical Analysis and Moral Inquiry Required |
|
Sept.
7 |
Ethical Focus:
Ethics and Authority Required Student Mini-Case #1 |
|
Sept.
14 |
Ethical Focus:
Organizational Loyalty & Whistleblowing Required “Business Ethics:
A View From the Trenches,” Joseph Badaracco (R) SRB Discussion #1
|
|
Sept.
21 |
Ethical Focus:
Business and the Ethics of Care and Compassion Required “Work and Family:
The End of the Zero-Sum Game,” Stewart Friedman et al. (R) Student
Mini-Case #2
|
|
Sept.
28 |
Ethical Focus:
Conflicts of Personal, Professional, & Organizational Ethics Required “Corporate Policy
and the Ethics of Competitor Intelligence Gathering,” Lynn Sharp Paine (R) SRB Discussion #2
|
|
Oct.
5 |
Business Ethics in Film: All My Sons, Arthur Miller Recommended |
|
Oct.
12 |
Ethical
Focus: Corporations and the Environment Required DeGeorge, Chapt. 11 “Beyond Greening: Strategies for a Sustainable World,” Stuart Hart (R) “Not in our Backyard: Exporting Electronic Waste,”
Elizabeth Grossman (R) Student Mini-Case
#3 |
|
Oct.
19 |
Ethical Focus:
Information & Privacy
Required “Undermining Freedom of
Expression in SRB Discussion #3
|
|
Oct.
26 |
Ethical Focus:
The Crisis in Corporate Governance Video Discussion: “Bigger Than Enron”
Required Student
Mini-Case #4 |
|
Nov.
5* |
Ethical Focus: Social Entrepreneurship
Visit to
|
|
Nov.
9 |
Ethical
Focus: Social
Entrepreneurship Guest Speaker: Dr. Howard Feldman, Required |
|
Nov. 16* |
Ethical Focus: Ethics and Globalization –
Wages and Inequality Video
Discussion: Barbara Ehrenreich & Bill Moyers – “Nickel and Dimed” Required Reading: Ehrenreich, “Introduction,”
“Selling in |
|
Nov. 23 |
Thanksgiving Break
|
|
Nov.
30 |
Required “Rejuvenating
Wal-Mart’s Reputation,” Thomas Hemphill (R) Student Mini-Case #5
|
|
Dec.
8 |
Ethical Focus:
Ethics and Globalization – Corporate
Responsibility & Human Rights Required “Managing for
Organizational Integrity,” Lynn Sharp Paine (R) SRB Discussion #5 |