OBE 117 | Syllabus
Fall 2001 Professor Jerry D. Estenson
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
College of Business Administration
OBE 117 - Business and Society
Monday and Wednesday 12:00 - 1:15PM
OFFICE: Tahoe – 2048
OFFICE HOURS: Monday 10:30 - 11:30 AM and 3:00 - 4:00PM
Wednesday 10:30 - 11:30AM
OFFICE PHONE Good Choice: 278-6781 (CSUS)
EMAIL: CSUS Office 278-6781 (Phone and Fax)
Personal Voice Mail 557-5738
Personal Fax: 967-6410
University Email estenson@csus.edu
Private Email jestenso@ns.net
WEBSITE: www.csus.edu/indiv/e/estenson
Basic Text:
Donaldson, Thomas & Werhane, Patricia. (1999) Ethical Issues in Business: A Philosophical Approach 6th Edition. Englewood Cliff: Prentice Hall.
Additional articles, models, and extracts maybe provided during the course.
COURSE OBJRCTIVE
The dividing line between the public and private good is becoming increasingly distinct. There are questions being raised regarding the viability of the American experiment with Democracy. The plans of the Great Society are being dismantled. The concepts of job and loyalty are being reshaped thus creating a major reconstruction of relationships between individuals and the organizations. There are also questions being raised about America’s ability to compete in the global market place. It is within this context that we will set about to make sense of: social concerns about business activities; corporate, government, and individual responsibilities; decision making by public and private leaders; property rights, and individual rights. These issues will be explored from the perspective of the individual, business, other organizations, a society, and the world community. This journey will assist you in developing an understanding of the environment in which business goes about conducting its affairs. By course end you will:
Have searched for the meaning of: Morality, Ethics, Truth, Leadership, Community, Progress, Humanity, Justice, Liberty, Dignity, Ethical Relativism, and Profit within the context of capitalistic society.
Understand how a free society responds to the policies and practices of businesses.
Analyze the effects of government policy on the operation of a business.
Have been exposed to the thinking of both classic and contemporary thinkers writing on the subjects of morality, ethics, economics, and capitalism.
There are multiple objectives for this course, central of which is to help you develop an understanding of your role as citizen, student, client, customer, worker, manager, or executive in a public, private, or not-for-profit organization. Your new understanding should include: an appreciation of the complexity of the issues facing executives who must make decisions. This perspective will provide a view of the ramifications of the decisions made by private and public sector executives and public policy makers. Last you will have several opportunities to present your analysis and perspective on very difficult and sensitive issues. Through the process of research, reflection, discussion, and experimentation, you will be better equipped to participate in a society undergoing major changes.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class Participation and Case Presentation
The foundation of this course is class discussion. Through an on going dialogue between students and with the instructor an atmosphere of mutual learning, creativity, and revitalization can take place. The questions raised in this type of course have no easy answers and therefore simulate new thinking. For this type of learning experience to work it is imperative that you come to class having read the material, analyzed the case, and thought about the subject matter. To reward this effort fifteen percent of your graded will be based on your preparation for and involvement in the class.
Each week you will be evaluated on class participation and the level of your involvement will be basis for point assignment. To maximize points you should be CONSISTENTLY informed participant. The OCCASIONALLY informed participation will receive less points while the NON PARTICIPATION or those engaging in SEMICOHERENT rambling receive no points. Those who miss more than three class will loose 10 points per class miss after the three class grace period.
Case Analysis
Prepare your case analysis individually using the format discussed in class. As the course progresses the level of analysis for each case will become more complex and the models used for analysis will also become more intricate. The written portion of the case should be no more than two double spaced pages in length. If you use quantitative analysis in your section three it can be attached as an addendum. Your written case will be maintained in a course case book. Cases will be turned in each week on Wednesday. If you submit a case late you will loose 10% of the value of the case for each class after the due date.
Each week we will discuss assigned cases. You will be called on, at random, to present your analysis of the case. Your preparation and participation will be graded using the following factors: articulation of your position, listening ability, ability to relate outside experience to the issues being discussed, ability to provoke discussion, outside research brought to class, focus on topic under discussion, and depth of though on the subjects. The combination of your presentation in class and the written content of your case analysis shall be the basis for assignment points.
Written Issue Brief
You will be scan the current global environment to determine an emerging issue management must pay attention in order to be competitive. After you have found the issue you will prepare a analytical double spaced typed paper no longer than ten pages in length. The paper will rely on your research and will be presented in manner set forth by the instructor.
Your brief will be presented to class during the last week of the semester. The written brief will be graded on content (your thinking about the subject), depth (the amount of research used to support your position), appearance (tightly written, type free, syntax well constructed), and the linkage to theory and models discussed in class or found during research to your concept. Papers are due on the date set forth in the Class Schedule. Paper will marked down ten percent of total possible value for each class period after due date.
This paper can be prepared by a team of no more than five individuals. Each team member will receive the same score of the project. The instructor will not act as arbiter of effort and rewards.
Glossary
The first week of class you will receive a list of terms, the understanding of which are critical to the exploration of the role of business in a society. You will take each term and find a technical definition. The source of your definition can be from the assigned texts, the dictionary of philosophy, or the writings of recognized experts in the field. You must provide the source of your definitions. In addition you will add you own working definition of terms. This assignment will be done by teams. The team will consist of no more than five individuals. The instructor will assist the team in resolving internal tension.
STYLE GUIDE
The following is offered to assist you in preparing documents in a manner which will receive maximum attention from the reader:
- Staple all unbound papers of more than one page in the left corner.
- Include your name, paper title, course title, section number, word count and date on a cover sheet. This is necessary for case studies and issues brief.
- For your case book use an inexpensive paper three (3) ring binder. Make sure your name, course title, and section number are on the cover.
- Type all papers on high quality paper.
- Use a left justification on all papers.
- Use an APA style guide for format and citation.
- Carefully cite all outside resources. Plagiarism is a serious offense and where identified will result in an F grade.
- Turn in all assignment on due date.
- Keep a file copy of ALL paper turned in.
- Use 12 Point fonts on all papers.
GRADE CRITERIA
| Three Schedule Exams(100 points per exam) | 300 Points |
One Issue Brief 150 Points 80% written 20% Oral Class Presentations of Case Studie s (10 cases, 35 points per case) |
350 Points |
Glossary of Terms |
100 Points |
| Class Participation | 100 Points |
| TOTAL | 1,000 Points |
POINT/GRADE DISTRIBUTION
| A | = | 1,000-940 | C+ | = | 799-780 | ||
| A- | = | 939-900 | C | = | 779-740 | ||
| B+ | = | 899-880 | C- | = | 739-700 | ||
| B | = | 879-840 | D+ | = | 699-680 | ||
| B- | = | 839-800 | D | = | 679-640 |
CLASS SCHEDULE
WEEK ONE 27 August 2001 |
Class Overview Introduction of Topics and Goals for the Class Introduction to Ethical Reasoning Donaldson and Werhane pp. 1 - 12 |
ASSIGNMENT: Get Books and Show up. Read Text pages 1 - 20 Work on glossary of Terms |
|
WEEK TWO 3 September 2001 |
Introduction to Ethical Reasoning Sen 12 - 20 |
ASSIGNMENT: Prepare Individual Glossary of Terms |
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WEEK THREE 10 September 2001 |
GENERAL ISSUES IN ETHICS Truth Telling Kant pp. 27 - 32 Carr pp. 33 - 38 Betz pp. 39 - 42 Crampton & Dees pp. 43 - 62 |
ASSIGNMENT: Case: Italian Tax Mores pp. 25 - 26 Glossary of Terms Due Wednesday |
|
WEEK FOUR 17 September 2001 |
Virtues and Virtuous Mangers Solomon pp. 81 - 92 Jackall pp. 93 - 110 |
ASSIGNMENT Case: Run, Inc. pp. 63 - 80 |
|
WEEK FIVE 24 September 2001 |
PROPERTY, PROFIT AND JUSTICE Traditional Theories of Property and Profit Locke pp. 128 - 132 Marx pp. 133 -137 Carnegie pp. 142 - 147 Donaldson pp. 131 - 177 |
ASSIGNMENT Cases: Plasma International pp. 119 EXAM ONE - Wednesday (Page 1 - 177) |
|
WEEK SIX 1 October 2001 |
Property and Profit (Modern) Friedman pp. 154 - 158 Frank pp. 159 - 174 Bird & Waters pp. 175 -188 |
ASSIGNMENT Case: Merck pp. 148 - 153 |
|
WEEK SEVEN 8 October 2001 |
Justice Rawls pp. 190 - 199 Nozick pp. 200 - 206 Walzer pp. 207- 225 Donaldson pp. 222 - 250 |
ASSIGNMENT Case: The Oil Rig pp. 189 |
|
WEEK EIGHT 15 October 2001 |
CORPORATIONS, PERSON, AND MORALITY The Moral Responsibility of Corporations Freeman pp. 234 - 246 Goodpaster 257 - 270 Dalton, Metzger, Hill pp. 271 - 277 McCoy pp. 278 - 284 |
ASSIGNMENT Case: H. B. Fuller pp. 234 - 245 |
|
WEEK NINE 22 October 2001 |
Employee Rights Bok pp. 297 - 303 Werhane & Radin pp. 304 - 313 Epstein pp. 314 - 322 Kanter pp. 323 - 324 |
ASSIGNMENT Case: The Air Brake Scandal pp. 285 - 296 |
|
WEEK TEN 29 October 2001 |
Diversity Schwartz. Pp. 340 - 350 McIntosh pp. 351 - 359 Dodds, Frost, Pargetter, & Prior pp. 360 - 372 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Ethical Relativism Bowie. pp. 380 - 384 United Nations pp. 385 - 388 |
ASSIGNMENT EXAM TWO Pg 178 - 372 |
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WEEK ELEVEN 5 November 2001 |
Business Values Away From Home De George pp. 418- 430 Donaldson pp. 431 - 441 |
ASSIGNMENT Cases: Levi Strauss pp. 392 -417 |
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WEEK TWELVE 12 November 2001 |
Marketing Crisp pp. 448- 455 Lysonski, Singer, & Kayes pp. 456-465 Brenkert pp. 466 - 478 |
ASSIGNMENT Case: Joe Camel pp. 446- 447 |
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WEEK THIRTEEN 19 November 2001 |
Strategy Peter Senge pp. 497 - 518 Newton pp. 519 - 525 Paine pp. 526 - 538 |
ASSIGNMENT Case: Sears pp. 479- 496 |
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WEEK FOURTEEN 26 November 2001 |
Environment Simon pp. 565- 573 Partridge pp. 574- 591 Hellman pp. 592 - 594 Kelman pp. 595 - 602 |
ASSIGNMENT Case: Shell and Nigerian Oil pp. 539- 564 |
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WEEK FIFTEEN 3 December 2001 |
Your View of the Future |
ASSIGNMENT Present Issue Briefs |
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WEEK SIXTEEN Friday December 14 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
FINAL EXAM |