Course

20809276 Business Ethics
Course Information
Description
This course explores the moral choices we make in business and the assumptions behind them. Topics include honesty, fairness, the merits of capitalism, corporate responsibility, and workplace ethics. Through philosophical argument, we will examine issues like affirmative action, whistleblowing, and profit, aiming to clarify what we ought to do and why.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies (Course Outcomes)
  1. Identify basic elements in our concepts of good and evil, and in our overall sense of the meaning of life.
    Assessment Strategies
    Written response to a case study
    Written position paper, based on research
    Criteria
    case study response demonstrates a thorough understanding of relevant aspects of the case
    case study response outlines in detail the decision selected by the learner
    case study response includes an explanation of why the decision was selected
    case study response is supported by relevant experience
    case study response is well organized
    case study response evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    paper is centered around a topic on which there is a disagreement
    you works cited page is included, cites at least five sources, and is properly formatted
    paper includes the description of two or more opposing positions
    paper includes the errors or holes in the reasoning for each of the opposing positions
    paper includes the description of your position
    paper includes a rationale for your position
    paper is well organized and formatted
    paper evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling

  2. Apply the three major theories of ethical decision-making to problems in public, business, and professional life.
    Assessment Strategies
    Written response to a case study
    Exam
    Written position paper, based on research
    Criteria
    case study response demonstrates a thorough understanding of relevant aspects of the case
    case study response outlines in detail the decision selected by the learner
    case study response includes an explanation of why the decision was selected
    case study response is supported by relevant experience
    case study response is well organized
    case study response evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    paper is centered around a topic on which there is a disagreement
    you works cited page is included, cites at least five sources, and is properly formatted
    paper includes the description of two or more opposing positions
    paper includes the errors or holes in the reasoning for each of the opposing positions
    paper includes the description of your position
    paper includes a rationale for your position
    paper is well organized and formatted
    paper evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling

  3. Identify the problems and prospects of our capitalist system of production and distribution and the effects on humans.
    Assessment Strategies
    Written response to a case study
    Exam
    Written position paper, based on research
    Criteria
    case study response demonstrates a thorough understanding of relevant aspects of the case
    case study response outlines in detail the decision selected by the learner
    case study response includes an explanation of why the decision was selected
    case study response is supported by relevant experience
    case study response is well organized
    case study response evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    paper is centered around a topic on which there is a disagreement
    you works cited page is included, cites at least five sources, and is properly formatted
    paper includes the description of two or more opposing positions
    paper includes the errors or holes in the reasoning for each of the opposing positions
    paper includes the description of your position
    paper includes a rationale for your position
    paper is well organized and formatted
    paper evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling

  4. Explore the nature of corporations and the moral problems corporate activities and modes of operation poste to employees and stakeholders in general.
    Assessment Strategies
    Written response to a case study
    Exam
    Written position paper, based on research
    Criteria
    case study response demonstrates a thorough understanding of relevant aspects of the case
    case study response outlines in detail the decision selected by the learner
    case study response includes an explanation of why the decision was selected
    case study response is supported by relevant experience
    case study response is well organized
    case study response evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    paper is centered around a topic on which there is a disagreement
    you works cited page is included, cites at least five sources, and is properly formatted
    paper includes the description of two or more opposing positions
    paper includes the errors or holes in the reasoning for each of the opposing positions
    paper includes the description of your position
    paper includes a rationale for your position
    paper is well organized and formatted
    paper evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling

  5. Apply the major theories of distributive justice to problems in macroeconomic systems and microeconomic life.
    Assessment Strategies
    Written response to a case study
    Exam
    A written position paper, based on research
    Criteria
    case study response demonstrates a thorough understanding of relevant aspects of the case
    case study response outlines in detail the decision selected by the learner
    case study response includes an explanation of why the decision was selected
    case study response is supported by relevant experience
    case study response is well organized
    case study response evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    paper is centered around a topic on which there is a disagreement
    you works cited page is included, cites at least five sources, and is properly formatted
    paper includes the description of two or more opposing positions
    paper includes the errors or holes in the reasoning for each of the opposing positions
    paper includes the description of your position
    paper includes a rationale for your position
    paper is well organized and formatted
    paper evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling

  6. Explain selfishness, greed, and self-interest in moral life and its relevance for leadership and corporate life in general.
    Assessment Strategies
    Written response to a case study
    Exam
    Written position paper, based on research
    Criteria
    case study response demonstrates a thorough understanding of relevant aspects of the case
    case study response outlines in detail the decision selected by the learner
    case study response includes an explanation of why the decision was selected
    case study response is supported by relevant experience
    case study response is well organized
    case study response evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    paper is centered around a topic on which there is a disagreement
    you works cited page is included, cites at least five sources, and is properly formatted
    paper includes the description of two or more opposing positions
    paper includes the errors or holes in the reasoning for each of the opposing positions
    paper includes the description of your position
    paper includes a rationale for your position
    paper is well organized and formatted
    paper evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling

  7. Analyze key responsibilities businesses have to consumers, the public, and to the environment.
    Assessment Strategies
    Written response to a case study
    Exam
    Written position paper, based on research
    Criteria
    case study response demonstrates a thorough understanding of relevant aspects of the case
    case study response outlines in detail the decision selected by the learner
    case study response includes an explanation of why the decision was selected
    case study response is supported by relevant experience
    case study response is well organized
    case study response evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    paper is centered around a topic on which there is a disagreement
    you works cited page is included, cites at least five sources, and is properly formatted
    paper includes the description of two or more opposing positions
    paper includes the errors or holes in the reasoning for each of the opposing positions
    paper includes the description of your position
    paper includes a rationale for your position
    paper is well organized and formatted
    paper evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling

  8. Justify personal positions on various moral issues that arise in the workplace.
    Assessment Strategies
    Written response to a case study
    Exam
    Written position paper
    Criteria
    case study response demonstrates a thorough understanding of relevant aspects of the case
    case study response outlines in detail the decision selected by the learner
    case study response includes an explanation of why the decision was selected
    case study response is supported by relevant experience
    case study response is well organized
    case study response evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    paper is centered around a topic on which there is a disagreement
    you works cited page is included, cites at least five sources, and is properly formatted
    paper includes the description of two or more opposing positions
    paper includes the errors or holes in the reasoning for each of the opposing positions
    paper includes the description of your position
    paper includes a rationale for your position
    paper is well organized and formatted
    paper evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling