Business Ethics Spring Semester Syllabus BAD 335: 01 Tues/Thurs ...

Business Ethics Spring Semester Syllabus
BAD 335: 01 Tues/Thurs 3:30 to 4:45pm
BAD 335:02 Tues/Thurs 10:00 to 11:15am
Instructor: Elizabeth Collier, PhD Office: Fine Arts 205
Office Hours: By appointment Email: ecollier@dom.edu
Course Description: The course will provide the student with an understanding of
theological and philosophical frameworks that can be applied to ethical issues related to
business and the effects business has on society. To that end we will cover several
classical ethical theories, such as utilitarianism and Kant's categorical imperative, in
addition to virtue ethics and a Roman Catholic approach to economic issues in the United
States. Throughout the course we will apply each of the methods to specific economic
and business cases/issues. Through student presentations, case studies, service learning
options, and class discussions we will critically examine structures in society and the
practices of particular companies or industries in order to discuss how the various ethical
frameworks presented throughout the course might aid in determining a course of action
for a particular practice or issue.
(Prereq: Junior standing or consent of instructor, Bad 345 is recommended)
Required book: Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? By Michael Sandel
Course Objectives
1. For the student to understand basic philosophical and theological methods used in
business ethics.
2. For the student to be able to use the methods of the course to critically examine and
evaluate issues and trends in business, as presented in case studies.
3. For the student to be able to use the tools of the course to analyze and critically
evaluate current events, as reported in mainstream media sources.
4. For the student to improve or refine reading, speaking and writing skills.
Course Requirements
1. Class attendance: The presence and participation of each person enhances the
learning process for all. Absences from class not only take away from the learning
process that particular day, but frequent absences result in deficiencies in students'
abilities to synthesize the course materials and participate fruitfully in discussions. As
a result, students are expected to attend every class, for the entire class period. More
than two absences will result in a deduction of 1 percentage point from the final
course grade, for each subsequent absence.
2. Class preparedness: The preparedness of all students for each class period results in a
more dynamic, educative, and interesting learning environment. For that reason,
students are expected to read assigned texts, think about how the text for each day fits
into the overall focus of the course, and be prepared to discuss the reading content
and issues or cases highlighted by the instructor. Class preparedness will be assessed
through five unannounced quizzes given on random dates when there is a reading

assignment. Each quiz will consist of one question to answer related to the reading for
that particular day. Each quiz will be worth three points. The lowest quiz grade will
be dropped. Quizzes will be administered at the beginning of the class period and
cannot be made up at a later time or after class. The total points available toward the
final grade for class preparedness is 12 points.
3. Media Monitoring: Each student will choose one media outlet that reports on
business-related matters to read/listen to/watch on a twice-weekly basis, in order to
assess how ethical issues related to business are discussed in the public sphere. Three
assignments relate to this media outlet: 1. Once during the semester each student will
give a presentation of one issue their outlet reported and how they would resolve the
ethical dilemma, given the methods of the course. An assignment sheet with further
details can be found on Blackboard. The presentation is worth 10 points. 2. On ―case
study‖ days, students will bring cases from their media outlet that can be applied to
the method discussed that day and an outline of how they applied the method to that
case. Students will be graded on three of the case study assignments. Each case study
and outline will be worth 2 points total, for a grand total of 6 points toward the final
grade. At the end of the semester each student will turn in a log of stories culled from
the media outlet that relate to the course and to which the student can apply the
method for that particular week. This log will give bibliographic information for the
article/story, a corresponding ethical dilemma for that story, and indicate whether or
not any of the methods we’ve discussed thus far could be used to resolve the issue.
Each week students will monitor the media outlet twice, finding two stories each
time, for a total of four entries each week. This log is worth 12 points toward the final
grade, with six points earned at each of the two deadlines indicated on the syllabus.
These elements of the course are worth a total of 28 points toward your final grade.
4. Final Project: There are three options for the course final project. 1. Service
Learning: Students have the opportunity to prepare tax returns for low income
individuals in Cook County through an organization called ―Ladder Up.‖ The student
will complete a two hour orientation, three Saturday mornings of service, three threepage
reflections papers, and an end-of-the semester discussion. A more detailed
assignment sheet will be posted on blackboard and deadlines are on the syllabus. 2.
Book Reviews: Students will have the opportunity to read two books (Wage Theft in
America by Kim Bobo and Where Am I Wearing? By Kelsey Timmerman), write two
4-page reviews of the books, and prepare an information session/discussion with the
rest of the class on the two books. A more detailed assignment sheet will be posted on
blackboard and deadlines are on the syllabus. 3. Research Paper: The student will
write a 10-page paper that utilizes one ethical method covered in the course to
evaluate a specific ethical issue in a particular company or industry. The paper topic
will be chosen in consultation with the instructor. The syllabus indicates progressive
deadlines for the paper throughout the quarter. Meeting these deadlines on time
contributes to the overall grade of the paper. A further instruction sheet for this
assignment will be provided once the student chooses this option. The final project is
worth 24 points toward the course grade.

5. Exams: There will two exams given on the dates indicated below. The first exam will
cover the course materials assigned up to that point in the semester and the second
exam will cover materials assigned after the first exam, up to the second exam. The
second exam will be a take home exam. Further details will be given two weeks prior
to each exam. The total points for these two exams toward the final grade will be 28.
6. Business Ethics Essays: Students will write two short essays (approximately four
pages each). A detailed assignment will be given on blackboard. The first essay will
cover the student’s perception of the values in business and U.S. culture today. The
second essay will cover the student’s determination of which methods of the course
are most compelling for resolving ethical dilemmas and determining values in
business. The first essay is worth 3 points and the second is worth 5 points toward the
final grade.
Course Grading
The following indicates the breakdown of percentages for each area of the course that
will contribute to your final grade:
Quizzes: 12 points
Media Outlet Log/Cases/Presentation: 28 points
Two Exams: 28 points
Business Ethics Essays: 8 points
Final Project: 24 points
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total Points: 100
Grading Scale
94-100 A 78-80 C
92-93 A- 76-77 C-
89-91 B+ 73-75 D+
86-88 B 70-72 D
84-85 B- 68-69 D-
81-83 C+ 67 or below F
Grade Definitions:
An "A" indicates that a student has achieved the highest degree of accomplishment. It
represents not only a mastery of the course materials, but also a significant degree of
originality, creativity and/or critical application of the course materials.
A "B" indicates academic achievement above average academic accomplishment,
including some originality, creativity and/or critical application of the course materials.
A "C" denotes that a student has completed all course requirements satisfactorily.

A "D" denotes that a student has a limited understanding of the course materials and
meets the minimum requirements for passing the course.
Failing indicates that a student has not completed the requirements of the course
satisfactorily.
Academic Integrity
Please read the Academic Integrity Policy in the Student Handbook
(www.thezonelive.com/zone/02_SchoolStructure/IL_DominicanUniversity-
RiverForest/handbook.pdf). It describes violations of academic integrity, including
plagiarism and cheating, noting that students who commit such violations are subject to
sanctions such as (but not limited to) lowering a grade or failing the course. There are
strong sanctions against plagiarism, which if a charge is proven, could result in an
automatic "F" in the course or other sanctions. If you have any questions or doubts about
what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials and the works
of others, be sure to consult with the instructor. Proper citation procedures are provided in
all standard writing manuals.
Incompletes
If a student believes that due to illness or other unforeseen, serious reasons, the
coursework cannot be completed on schedule, he/she requests an incomplete from the
instructor. It is up to the discretion of the instructor to grant or deny the request for an
incomplete. Incompletes are not granted to students who procrastinate throughout the
quarter and are unable to complete the course requirements on time. The follow
guidelines are used for incompletes at Dominican:
1. The grade of ―incomplete‖ may be given to a student who has done work of a passing
grade in a course but who has not completed that work.
2. Incompletes awarded at the end of the Fall or Summer semesters must be removed by
the end of the subsequent semester.
3. Incompletes awarded at the end of Spring semester must be removed by the end of
the subsequent Fall semester.
4. At the end of the prescribed time lines, professors may report a letter grade (A – F) or
an NC (No Credit). The NC grade does not affect the student’s Grade Point Average.
5. If a professor does not submit a grade by the end of the following semester, the
Registrar will automatically record a grade of ―F.‖
6. In an exceptional case, a professor may petition the Dean of the Rosary College of
Arts and Sciences for permission to extend the incomplete for another semester. This
must be done before the end of the last week of classes of the semester when the
grade is due.
It is up to the student to monitor the deadline for completing an incomplete. The student
should maintain communication with the instructor so the instructor is aware that the
student intends to finish the coursework and that the student does so in a timely fashion,
leaving the instructor enough time to grade the remaining work and submit the paperwork
prior to the deadline. The responsibility for these deadlines and this communication lies
entirely with the student. Note: In the case of a student who has applied for graduation

and who has been approved for an Incomplete in his or her final term, the incomplete
must be resolved within the four-week grace period before final degree certification.
Instructor Availability Outside of Class
Please email (ecollier@dom.edu) or speak to Dr. Collier ahead of time to schedule an
appointment if you wish to meet outside of class. Dr. Collier is generally available on
Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the day and evening, however every effort will be
made to accommodate student schedules for necessary meetings on other days. Face to
face communication is preferred whenever possible. Email is to be used for general
communication such as absence due to unforeseen circumstances, clarification of an
assignment or requesting an appointment. Email is not appropriate for requesting
incompletes, discussing ramifications of multiple absences/tardiness, or grade-related
discussions. When communicating via email, please allow 24 hours for a response.
The official syllabus is open to revision and is on Blackboard.
Thurs Jan 14: Overview of Course
Tues Jan 19: Media Outlet Decisions Due
Service Learning/Research Paper/Book Review Decision
Business Ethics Essay #1
Thurs Jan 21: Introduction to Thinking Methodologically
Read Sandel, Chapter 1 ―Doing the Right Thing‖
Research Paper General Topic Due
Service Learning Sign-Up Completion
Book Review Assignments Given
Tues Jan 26: Methodology #1: Utilitarianism
Read Sandel, Chapter 2
Begin Media Log
Thurs Jan 28: Students bring in Case for/Example of Utilitarianism
(Case Study #1)
Research Paper Specific Topic Due in Class
Service Learning Progress Report Due in Class
(Last Day to Drop Class)
Tues Feb 2: Methodology #2: Libertarianism
Read Sandel, Chapter 3
Thurs Feb 4: Students bring in Case for Libertarianism
(Case Study #2)
Essay #1 Due for Service Learning Students

Tues Feb 9: Read Sandel, Chapter 4 ―Markets and Morals‖
Book Review #1 Due
Thurs Feb 11: Methodology #3: Kant
Read Sandel, Chapter 5
Sign-up for Media Presentation Dates
Media Log Deadline #1—email to instructor
Tues Feb 16: Students bring in Case for Kant (Case Study #3)
Research Paper Bibliography Due in Class
Thurs Feb 18: Methodology #4: Rawls
Read Sandel, Chapter 6
Tues Feb 23: Students bring in Case for Rawls (Case Study #4)
Thurs Feb 25: Read Sandel, Chapter 7 ―Arguing Affirmative Action‖
Service Learning Essay #2 Due in Class
Tues Mar 2: Exam #1
Thurs Mar 4: In-Class Service Learning Reflection
In-Class Research Paper Tutorial
Tues Mar 9: Spring Break
Thurs Mar 11: Spring Break
Tues Mar 16: Media Presentations Begin (4)
Thurs Mar 18: Methodology #4—Virtue Ethics Part I
Read Sandel, Chapter 8
3 Media Presentations
Research Paper Outlines Due in Class
Book Review #2 Due
Tues Mar 23: Virtue Ethics Part II
Link to Reading on Blackboard
4 Media Presentations
Thurs Mar 25: Students bring in case studies for virtue ethics
Case Study #5
3 Media Presentations
Tues Mar 30: Sandel, Chapter 9 ―What do we owe one another?‖

3 Media Presentations
Thurs April 1: Holy Thursday—No Class
Tues April 6: Sandel, Chapter 10 ―Justice and the Common Good‖
Service Learning Essay #3 Due in Class
Deadline for Making Appointment with Rough Draft at Writing
Center
Book Review #3 Due
4 Media Presentations
Thurs April 8: Methodology #5: Catholic Social Thought Part I
Reading detailed on blackboard
Rough Drafts Due in Class
Service Learning Reflection in Class
3 Media Presentations
Tues April 13: Catholic Social Thought Part II
Reading detailed on blackboard
Thurs April 15: Book Review Discussion Preparation Day
Service Learning Discussion Preparation Day
Media Log Deadline #2—Email by midnight
Tues April 20: Service Learning Discussion Day (All Students Attend)
Service Learning Essay #4 Due
2 Media Presentations
Thurs April 22: Exam #2: Take home exam due in class
Book Review Discussion Day (All Students Attend)
Final Drafts of Research Paper Due in Class
Tues April 27: Book Review Discussion Day (All Students Attend)
Thurs April 29: Research Paper Discussion Day (All Students Attend)
Tues May 4: Research Paper Discussion Day (All Students Attend)
Thurs May 6: Course Wrap-Up
Business Ethics Essay #2