Business and Computer Ethics Syllabus
Course Description
PHIL 103. Business and Computer Ethics. Analytical treatment of controversial moral issues which emerge in the business world, e.g., affirmative action, corporate responsibility, the global economy, industry and environmental damage, social effects of advertising, the computer threat to personal privacy, ownership of computer programs. Discussion will focus on basic moral principles and concepts relevant to these issues. 3 units.
PHIL 103 satisfies area D2 General Education requirements by
discussing current but divisive economic and ethical issues in organizational
contexts from diverse religious, ethnic and sexual traditions in a critical
but mutually respectful manner. For instance, various religious and corporate
traditions justify discriminatory standards and behavior based on past misperceptions
and harmful stereotypes about the value and ability
of
women
and minorities
in the
workplace. We consider these views and their implications for people and
organizations seeking equal opportunity and treatment for all participants
in a just society or free and fair industry.
Required course text: Business Ethics: A Textbook with Cases (2011) by William Shaw 7/e - only this edition will suffice.
- paperback version of the text for $80 at Amazon.com
Assignments, Grades and Attendance
- THREE in-class unannounced short-answer quizzes (12 pts. each), TWO online quizzes in SacCT (13 pts. each),
and ONE paper (12 pts.) Total points available = 74. No makeups offered - there are plenty of points available so that one can miss an assignment and still do well in the course.
- Please keep track of your own grades via SacCT, I don't do grade
checks, since you can do it for yourself.
- When and where is the final for this course? The final
is just the last online quiz which is available only via SacCT. There is
no class meeting during finals week to take this quiz, you take it online.
The final quiz is already scheduled, check in SacCT under "Assessments" for
exact availability.
- Students may NOT use phones, laptops,
or recording devices during class meetings. They are unnecessary
distractions and disrupt the class. Why? Here is
my argument. Persistently disruptive students will
be warned, identified and dismissed.
- Here is my official
grade-scale for ALL online quizzes and the overall course grade:
- 12 or above = A, 11 = A-, 10 = B+,
9 = B, 8 = B-, 7 = C+, 6 = C, 5 = C-, 3 = D, less than 3 = F
- How are grades assigned?
- For each effort (except for evals.) you will receive a numerical
score which
corresponds to a letter-grade on my grade-scale (above). Scores correspond
to letter-grades NOT percentages.
- How do I determine your overall course grade?
- I add all
points earned, divide this
total by 5, then assign the letter-grade based on my grade-scale
(above). For instance, if one earns a total of 48 points, divide this
by 5, the result is an 9.6 which corresponds to a B on my letter-grade
scale. Thus, one receives a B for the course. Since rounding introduces
error, I will not round scores up or down. Overall course grade = total points earned divided by 5, then apply my official grade scale.
Objectives
- DEFINE basic ethical terms used in the course,
- DISTINGUISH various ethical concepts, theories and positions,
- ENGAGE in cogent and respectful discussion,
- ANALYZE specific ethical arguments for consistency and credibility,
- APPLY ethical theories to moral dilemmas in professional and personal life.
If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide
disability documentation to SSWD, Lassen Hall 1008, (916) 278-6955. Please
discuss accomodations needs with me after class or during my office hours
early in the semester.
Review all academic responsibilities, definitions, sanctions and rights
described here.