UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI - CLERMONT

COURSE SYLLABUS AND SCHEDULE OUTLINE FOR

 

BUSINESS ETHICS (34-BA-176-002)

AUTUMN 2002

T, Th 8:00A – 9:15A

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES BUILDING ROOM 115

 

 

Instructor Information

Instructor:            Dr. Jeff Bauer, Assistant Professor of Business

Office:                 Snyder Building 272C

Phone:                 Office:  732-5257   24-HR Voicemail

                           Fax:  732-5304

                           Faculty Secretary:  732-5255

                           Home:  753-9081

E-Mail:                Jeff.Bauer@UC.Edu

Website:              http://www.ucclermont.edu/~bauerj

Office Hours:       T 12:30P – 1:00P, 4:00P – 6:30P, Th 12:30P – 1:30P, or by appointment

 

Text Information

 

Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases, by Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 5th edition, ISBN: 0-618-12414-4

 

Course Description

 

An introduction to ethical reasoning, business communication, employee-employer relations, corporate responsibility, and acceptable risk.  Discussions in ethical issues in business and codes of ethics will be presented with case studies.

 

Course Objectives

 

1.  Study the business ethics issues and definitions, theories, and frameworks important to
decisions.

2.  Identify and recognize ethics issues in business.

3.  Understand the interrelationship of ethics and social responsibility.

4.  Relate the significant issues of an ethical controversy in business to moral philosophy,

work group influence, corporate culture, and social responsibility.

5.  Choose and defend a theory or principle for resolving an ethical dispute in business.

6.  Articulate and defend choices in making ethical judgments in business.

7.  Examine the consequences of unethical and ethical business decisions.

8.  Expose students to the individual reasoning processes of others when resolving ethical

dilemmas.

 

 

Course Requirements

 

Reading Assignments:  The student is expected to read all assignments prior to the class in which they will be discussed.  He/she should be ready to participate in class discussions and activities.

 

Ethics Issue Summaries:  Each student is to prepare and present two (2) issue summaries, which pertain to any business ethics topic.  The issue summaries are due as outlined on the course schedule.  The issue summary should meet the following guidelines:

 

1)      Research and obtain an article from any business periodical (The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Fortune, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur, etc.)

2)      A 3x5 or 4x6 card must be used

1)      Attach the article or a copy of it to one side of the card

2)      Highlight or underline topics discussed in the article which we have reviewed in class

3)      Write or type your opinion of the issue on the other side of the card.  Why is the issue important?  What other issues need to be considered?

 

Exams:  There will be two (2) exams during the quarter.  Exam formats will be true-false, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, and essay.  Exams will be given as indicted on the Course Schedule.

 

Case Studies:  Individual and Group case studies in ethics will be assigned during the term.  Additional details and copies of cases not contained in the text will be provided during the term.  Students will be responsible for establishing some of the case work including:  researching and reviewing cases, providing materials for the class, and leading class discussions on the case.

 

Evaluation

 

The final grade will be determined as follows:

 

Mid-Term Exam (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)                       100 Points

Final Exam (Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)                             100 Points

Attendance and Participation                                           50 Points

Issue Summaries (2 Summaries @ 25 Points Each)         50 Points

Case Studies                                                                200 Points

                                                                                    -------------

                                                Total Points                  500 Points

 

The numerical average will be calculated by dividing total points by 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


GENERAL COURSE POLICIES

 

Attendance and Make-Up Work

 

Attendance is a requirement of the course.  If for some reason you cannot attend a class, please let me know by using one of the phone numbers (or other means) listed above.

                                                                                                        

Assignments

 

Any assignments are due at the beginning of the class period as indicated on the Course Schedule.  Late assignments will be reduced at least one letter grade per class day at the discretion of the instructor.  Assignments will not be accepted one week after the due date has passed.

 

Cell Phones, Pagers, etc.

 

Consider this class to be a call-free, beep-free, vibrate mode-free zone of silence.

 

Make-Up Exams

 

Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor.  The student must notify the instructor of the absence before the exam begins. If proper notification is given, a make-up exam will be administered which may be significantly more challenging than the examination given on the scheduled date.

 

Cheating and Plagiarism

 

The policy as stated in the University of Cincinnati Student Handbook will be strictly enforced.  A copy of the Student Handbook is available in the Student Development Office.

 

Withdrawals

 

The current withdrawal policy of Clermont College will apply.  The withdrawal policy for this term is available in the Registration Office.

 

ADA

 

Students with Disabilities:  The policy of the University of Cincinnati Clermont College requires students to self-identify and provide proper documentation to the Director of the Learning Center, for appropriate academic assistance.

 

Grading Scale

 

The following plus/minus grading system will apply:

 

92 - 100% = A     91 -  89% = A-     88 -  87% = B+     86 -  82% = B     81 - 79% = B-

78 – 77% = C+    76 – 72% = C       71 –  69% = C-     68 – 67% = D+   66 – 62% = D

 

61 – 59% = D -   58% and Under = F

 

Note:  The course schedule and procedures are tentative and subject to change depending upon the progress of the class.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE OUTLINE – BUSINESS ETHICS

 

Week of

 

09/26   Introduction to Course, Explanation of the Syllabus, and the Schedule Outline

            Chapter One – An Overview of Business Ethics

 

 

10/01   Chapter One – Continued

Chapter Two – Ethical Issues in Business

 

 

10/08   Chapter Three – Applying Moral Philosophies to Business Ethics

 

 

10/15   Chapter Four – Social Responsibility

            Issue Summary One Due

 

 

10/22   Chapter Five – A Framework for Understanding Ethical Decision Making in Business

Review for Exam One

           

 

10/29   Mid-Term Exam - Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Chapter Six – Organizational Culture and Ethical Decision Making

           

 

11/05   Chapter Six - Continued

 

 

11/12   Chapter Seven – Organizational Relationships and Conflicts in Ethical Decision Making

 

 

11/19   Chapter Eight – Development of an Effective Ethics Program

            Issue Summary Two Due

 

           

11/26   Chapter Nine – Business Ethics in a Global Economy

 

 

12/03   Chapter Ten – Business Ethics and Organizational Performance

Review for Final Exam

 

 

The Final Exam will be Tuesday, December 10th from 8:00am – 10:00am and will cover Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.