Business Ethics John Laing Instructor j-laing@northwestern.edu ...

Deepen their ability to listen respectfully, rationally, and critically to the (sometimes
opposing) points of view of others
Develop the capacity to assess public policy debates in a more informed and reasoned
fashion
Teaching method: Lecture and discussion
Evaluation method: Oral presentation on a topic of the student’s choosing (35%), final
essay exam (35%), and contribution to discussion (30%).
Grading: On the first day of class, I will explain in detail my approach to grading the
different elements of this course. I will distribute rubrics summarizing my approach as
well. Those rubrics will be posted on Blackboard.
Readings and Assignments: Selections from Ethical Issues in Business: A
Philosophical Approach, ed. Thomas Donaldson and Patricia H. Warhane (8 th Edition)
will provide a primary basis of reading assignments for the course (ISBN-10: 0-13-
184619-1 and ISBN-13: 978-0-13-184619-7) Additional reading assignments will be
posted on Blackboard. Students also will be expected to watch two movies: “The
Smartest Guys in the Room” and “The Insider.” Links to both movies will be provided
on Blackboard.
Student Presentations:
On the first day of class, we will develop together a schedule for student presentations
during the remainder of the term. I will explain what I expect regarding presentations on
the topics listed below. Students will indicate whether they have a preference as to a
topic on which to present. I will try to assign presentations in a way that respects those
preferences to the extent possible.
The purpose, role and responsibilities of the corporation
The libertarian view
The stake holder theory
When corporations do right (one presentation)
Example: Johnson & Johnson and Tylenol
Example: S.C. Johnson and CFCs
When corporations do wrong
Example: Enron
Example: Goldman Sachs
The problem of externalities