BUSN 139 - Business Ethics

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
This course examines the role of ethics in business, and the justification for, and the consequences of, managing individual and corporate behavior from an ethical perspective. Readings in business, philosophy, and political science are included to broaden and enrich course content.

Text
Ghillyer, A. W. (2021).  Business ethics now (6th ed.).  New York City, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Objectives
The student will be able to: 

A. Compare major philosophical approaches to ethics. 

B. Argue for and against the need for business ethics. 

C. Recognize the moral and ethical impact of business on society and the environment. 

D. Propose defensible approaches for managing conflicts that may arise between business and its stakeholders. 

E. Explain the importance and role of corporate culture in communicating an organization’s values, in promoting ethical behavior, and in managing ethical conflicts. 

F. Justify and defend a personal view of the rights, duties, obligations, and loyalties owed to an employer, by an employee. 

Content
A. Moral philosophy and business 

B. American business and its basis 

C. The organization and the people in it 

D. Business and society 

E. Philosophical approaches to ethics 

F. Delected readings in business, philosophy, and political science 

Student Evaluation
Students will be graded on a series of examinations, quizzes, and team presentations. 

Team Presentations:  Students will be divided into several teams composed of 3 to 5 students each, depending on class size.  Each team will be responsible for analyzing a case study, making a written and oral presentation of their analysis, and for recommending and defending a course of action on ethical grounds.  Students not on the presenting team will challenge the recommendations and rationale of the presenting team.