Course Description

Ethics in business is an interdisciplinary course that integrates the philosophical and moral aspects of decision making in the business environment.  The main objectives of the course are to: expose students to the moral issues that arise in various business contexts; acquaint them with classical and contemporary philosophies; and introduce them to ways that incorporate philosophical issues into the decision making process in business. 3 credits, 3 hours.

Required Materials

Shaw, William H. and Vincent Barry. Moral Issues in Business, 9th ed, Belmont: Wadsworth of Thomson Learning Inc., 2004.

Suggested Texts:

Commanday, Sue and Liya Li, A Guide to Writing Documented Essays in College, 2nd ed. Suffern: SUNY Rockland, 1999.

Soccio, DouglasJ. Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy, 5th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth of Thompson Learning Inc., 2004. 

GIVEN THAT I MAY BE REACHED EASILY BY VOICEMAIL OR E-MAIL, SHOULD THERE BE ANY SITUATION WHICH WOULD AFFECT YOUR PROGRESS IN THIS COURSE, IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CONTACT ME IN ADVANCE OR SEE ME DURING MY OFFICE HOURS.

Grading

Grading Scale:  

A = 93+
A- = 90-92
B+ = 85-89
B= 83-84
B- = 80-82
C+ = 75-79
C = 73-74
C- = 70-72 
D = 60- 69
F = 59 or below

Please note: C-, D and F grades do not transfer to other institutions.

Course Policies:

Attendance and Participation: You will be expected to attend class on a regular basis.  Your punctuality, attendance, and classwork participation may influence your overall grade.  In addition, if you miss five or more classes, you will lose a letter grade (i.e. A to A-, etc.), and an additional letter grade for every multiple absences of five, thereafter.  If you are late to class twice, it counts as an absence. Students who miss one or no classes will receive up to three points towards their final grades.

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY ON CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM

In light of the several cheating incidents that have occurred during the last few semesters, I have instituted the following zero tolerance policy which will be adhered to in this course. Any student who is found with a studying aid during or after taking the exam, or has cheated in any other manner, will automatically fail the course and may be expelled from the college. In addition, no student may copy another student’s work and then attempt to submit it as his/her own. This includes using another source (i.e. internet, other publications, etc.) and passing it off as his/her own. Therefore, it is expected that students cite their sources internally (intext documentation) and in a “Works Cited” section. Violators will also be subjected to the above penalties.

Article Critiques and Presentation:  You will be required to summarize eight articles for the eight weeks asterisked (*) in the course syllabus, from the New York Times, Business Week, Wall Street Journal, or any other pre-approved publications (Do not use the NEW YORK POST, THE JOURNAL NEWS,  DAILY NEWS). Each article selected must be substantive in nature and cannot be a few paragraphs in size.  Bring the articles to class each Tuesday and then put these articles into a folder that may be used for class discussion.  When you submit all the articles on Tuesday, May 9, you will submit them in a manila folder (or plastic folder); otherwise they will not be accepted.  Anything submitted after 11:00 a.m. on this date will be penalized in the form of points off the grade (one point for each class meeting critiques were late).  The typed critiques should consist of an ethical issue and your reaction to it.  It is expected that you include one philosophy or philosopher that was discussed in class or appears in the textbook.  The critique must be at least five sentences, but should not be more than eight sentences. (You will not be penalized for writing more, but your grade will not be enhanced for doing so).  The article (or facsimile) must be attached to your critique, (or given a number corresponding to your critique).  Include the name of the publication, the date, and its page number(s). This will count eight points towards your final grade.  The publication must be from January, February, March, April or May of this current year.  Again, all critiques and their accompanying articles must be place in a manila folder (or equivalent) and the articles should be numbered (one through eight).

In addition, you will present one of the articles in the form of an oral presentation, which will be valued two points (Failure to present will result in a two point final grade deduction).  Notes for the oral presentation on an index card(s) are permissible, but you may not read the article or written summary to the class. A sign up sheet for the article presentation will be distributed during the month of September.

MAKE UP EXAMINATIONS GENERALLY WILL NOT BE GIVEN AND A “0” WILL BE ISSUED.  THERE ARE NO MAKE UP QUIZZES. ANY EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY ARE AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR AND MUST BE DOCUMENTED.

Course Outline

TENTATIVE SEMESTER ASSIGNMENTS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

(SHAW TO BE READ BEFORE THIS CLASS; SOCCIO WILL BE  DISCUSSED THROUGH DISTRIBUTED OUTLINES)

*INDICATES WHEN ARTICLES SHOULD BE SELECTED & CRITIQUED

PLEASE NOTE: THE LAST DAY ANY PAST DUE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR A GRADE IS Tuesday, May 16 (11:00 a.m.). ANY WORK SUBMITTED BEYOND THIS TIME WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND A “0” WILL BE ISSUED.

Selected References (MLA Format)

Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics, 2nd ed. Trans. Terence Irwin. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1999.

Cartledge, Paul. The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization. New York: TV Books, 2000.

Kant, Immanuel. Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals, 2nd ed.  Beck, L.W. (Trans.) Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 1997.

Locke, John. The Second Treatise of Government. Ed. Thomas P. Pearson.   Indianapolis: The Library of Liberal Arts of the Bobbs-Merrrill  Company, Inc., 1952.

Mill, John Stuart. Utilitarianism on Liberty, Essay on Bentham. Ed.Mary Warnock. New York: New American Library, 1962.

Needle, Terri and Martin J. Lecker. "Psychoethics: A Discipline Applying Psychology to Ethics." Review of Business 18 (3) (Spring 1999): 30-34.

Plato. Republic. Trans. G .M.A. Grube. Rev. C.D.C. Reeve. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1992.

Plato. The Trial and Death of SocratesThird Edition. Trans. G.M.A. Grube.  Rev. John M. Cooper. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 2000.