Business Ethics
Milligan College
BADM 421

Syllabus
 In the Name of Jesus Study Guide
In His Steps Study Guide
Annual Editions Text Website
Mark Peacock's Homepage

"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried."
G.K. Chesterton


Links
Business Ethics Magazine
Business Ethics Resources on the Web
Center for Applied Christian Ethics - Wheaton College
Center for Ethics and Business
 MSNBC's Corporate Scandals Page
Ethics Center: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
Ethics Updates
Mini-cases from Lockheed Martin Corporation
National Media Coverage on Spirituality

 

 

book cover image

   Course: BADM 421
Professor: Mark Peacock
Term: Fall 2006

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of theoretical and practical problems of moral conduct in the field of business. The course emphasizes both the philosophical foundations of ethical conduct and the practical problems encountered in the day-to-day conduct of business affairs. Much of the study of practical problems centers around actual case studies.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: To help prepare students to be ethical business and community leaders through:

1. Raising awareness of the ethical dimensions of common business practices

2. Examining these practices through the lens of a Christian world view

3. Developing a Christian critique and defense of the free-market economic system and the role and responsibilities of corporations and individual business people within it

4. Developing and enhancing skills of moral judgment, critical reading, persuasive writing and speaking skills.

5. Formulating a practical framework for ethical decision making

6. Enhancing knowledge of how to encourage and maintain ethical corporate climates

TEXTS:

Scott Rae and Kenman Wong, Beyond Integrity: A Judeo-Christian Approach to Business Ethics, Zondervan, 2nd ed., 2004 (ISBN: 0310240026)

Annual Editions 06/07, Business Ethics, McGraw-Hill, 2007 (ISBN: 0073528374)

EVALUATION AND GRADING: The grading scale is 92-100 A, 90.0-91.9 A-, 88.0-89.9 B+, 82.0-87.9 B, 80.0-81.9 B-, 78.0-79.9 C+, 72.0-77.9 C, 70.0-71.9 C-, 68.0-69.9 D+, 62.0-67.9 D, 60.0-61.9 D-, below 60 F. Grades are not subject to rounding – for instance, a 91.9 will be considered an A-. No makeup tests or quizzes unless permission is previously granted. Late assignments will be accepted at the next class meeting only and will be reduced by one letter grade. Quizzes, announced or unannounced, may be given at any point in the semester to encourage reading and preparation. The final grade will consist of the following:

60% Exams (3)

20% Capitalism Paper

20% Current Events Reports (5), Homework, Quizzes & Preparation/Participation/Attendance

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The course will consist of lectures, case studies and readings. Class discussion will be emphasized.

A. Exams: There will be three exams in this course. The exams will contain objective questions (multiple choice, true/false) and also essay questions. The essay portion of your final exam will be comprehensive.

B. Capitalism Paper: The first will be a 6-8 page report responding to the following questions: Is God a capitalist? What are the implications for Christian Businesspersons? Guidelines:

1. You are expected to integrate two specific examples from our readings this semester, two outside sources and two stories/passages from scripture.

2. Your paper should have an opinion section at the end - one, half-page paragraph is what I am looking for.

3. Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins, numbered pages, and appropriate citations.

4. Papers are to be both handed in and emailed to the professor by the start of class on the date due. Late papers will be accepted at the next class meeting only and will be reduced by one letter grades.

5. Avoid the overuse quotes - they should only be used when the specific language is absolutely necessary; block quotes should generally be avoided altogether.

6. Do not plagiarize - here are some strategies to avoid plagiarism:

a. When using another author’s exact words, put them in quotes, and cite accordingly.

b. Paraphrase another’s ideas. This involves more than merely changing a few words or phrases around. Read your source, then cover it up and then write out the ideas in your own words. You still give credit for the other author’s ideas, but now the words should be your own. Compare your work with the original to be sure you have not accidentally borrowed any words or phrases.

7. Avoid the use of the first person ("I") except in the opinion section of your paper.

8. Avoid the use of contractions (don’t, doesn’t, isn’t, etc.)

9. Due Date: TBA.

10. Grading rubic:

  • Summary/Background of Christian views of capitalism (pro and con) 40%
    •
    • Application/integration of class readings, outside research and scripture 40%
  • Miscellaneous (Thoughtfulness of opinion, organization, creativity, references, length, spelling, grammar) 20%
    •

    C. Current Events Reports: At various times after the midterm exam, you will be asked to bring to class a current events article discussing an ethics issue facing business and present the issue (informally) to the class. The articles must not be older than 3 months and must come from a respected, recognized national or international news source (NY Times, The Economist, Barron’s, Washington Post, Business Week, Financial Times (UK), etc. If you are not sure what respected, recognized sources are, please see me. Typing your subject into an on-line search engine is not ‘researching’ - our library has terrific resources, including "J-Stor", "Business Source Elite" and "Lexis-Nexis." Your current events papers should have three headings, "Summary" (summarize the news article), "Analysis" (analyze the article in light of our class readings and discussions), and "Response" (thoughtfully respond with your own opinion to the news summary and analysis). Attach your article to your summary for full credit. One page, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman type. Late assignments will be accepted only until the next class meeting and will be reduced by one letter grade. Due Date: TBA (15%) Possible topics include, but are not limited to the following::

    Current business scandals

    Employment discrimination (age, gender, race...); Affirmative action

    Corporate codes of ethics; CEO compensation

    Corporate ethics: i.e. insider trading, mergers, hostile takeovers, downsizing/layoffs

    Privacy issues - Consumer privacy; Workplace surveillance issues (video, email, etc.)

    Environmental abuses by corporations

    Gender equity (ex. comparable wage issue); Sexual harassment

    Ethical dilemmas facing MNCs; outsourcing, employment abuses (wages, working conditions, child labor, sweatshops); product dumping

    Misleading, manipulative, deceptive advertising

    Social responsibility; Living Wage debate

    Servant leadership; management by the Bible

    Employee loyalty and Whistle blowing

    D. Homework, Quizzes: Homework: Throughout the semester you will be asked to hand in written responses to the assigned readings. Quizzes: There may be short quizzes (announced or unannounced) from time to time over the readings.

    Preparation/participation/attendance:

    Preparation and Participation - You are expected to read the text and other assigned materials to prepare for class discussions. The informed opinion based upon interaction with the reading will be rewarded when it comes time to determine semester grades. Preparation and participation will be worth three homework/quiz grades.

    When called upon, please stay on point and do not seek to monopolize class discussion.

    Treat all persons with dignity and respect, even if you personally disagree with their views.

    Do not create disruptions in class by talking out of turn or by bringing cell phones to class.

    Attendance - Class attendance and participation are crucial, therefore more than 3 absences will result in a reduced grade. An absence is defined as nonattendance for any reason, including illness or emergency. Athletes who will miss three or more classes because of excused games are expected to be in class at all other times. Three tardies will equal one absence. Experience clearly demonstrates a direct correlation between class attendance, preparation and participation and your final grade. The student is responsible for all material covered and all assignments made in class. Attendance is worth three homework grades - determined by the number of absences (0-3 absences=100; 4-5 absences=75; 6-7 absences=60; 8 absences=50). Students missing 9 or more class sessions will receive a failing grade in the course.

    ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: As stated in the Milligan College Student Handbook, "Academic dishonesty (the intentional misrepresentation of all or part of one’s work to deceive for personal gain, or assisting another to do the same) is a serious offense which undermines the bonds of trust and honesty between members of the college community and defrauds those who may eventually depend upon our knowledge and integrity." Academic honesty and integrity are expected. Copying another person’s work or "working together" on homework assignments and turning in the same answers is unacceptable. There are no group assignments in this class; your work is to be entirely your own. You may have someone else look over your paper for spelling and grammatical errors only. Under no circumstances are you to receive help from others regarding the organization and content of your paper. If you need help constructing an outline for any assigned papers, the only person you may consult is your professor. Further, plagiarism will not be tolerated. This includes: 1) borrowing the exact words of another; or 2) borrowing the ideas from someone else's work. When quoting material or paraphrasing always credit your source with a complete footnote. You must also reference the source of the ideas you have relied upon. However, even if credit is given to the source of the information, plagiarism still exists where the student has merely changed a few words from the source document, leaving the content, organization and phraseology intact. Depending upon the nature and extent of the offense, the student may receive a failing grade on the particular assignment or a failing grade in the course. In all cases of academic dishonesty, the Academic Dean will be notified of the infraction.

    STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Milligan College provides reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. To receive accommodations, students must make a formal request according to the policy outlined on pages 28-29 of the current college catalog. Once your request has been evaluated, a list of accommodations will be prepared for distribution to your professors. If you have additional questions, please contact Traci Smith, director of disability services. You may contact her by phone (8981), email (tjsmith@milligan.edu) or appointment in the McMahan Student Center.

    OFFICE HOURS: MWF: 10:00-11:00 a.m., TR 10:00-11:00 a.m. or by appointment. Location: Price Business Center (Lower Hardin), Office #2.

     

    Tentative Schedule of Assignments

    Part I: Foundations for Christian Ethics in Business

    I. Business as a Calling

    A. Teaching Ethics

    1. Text Introduction, p. 15-18

    2. Rivera, Business Ethics 101 (handout)

    3. Van Duzer & Dearborn, The Profit of God (handout)

    B. Following Jesus, Pursuing Business

    1. Connor, Spirituality in the Workplace (handout)

    2. Siker, Christ and Business

    3. Sirico, The Entrepreneurial Vocation

    4. Street, Faith and Work (CD on reserve in library)

    5. Choosing a career, Finding your calling

    II. The Morality of Capitalism

    A. Required business character

    1. Carr, Is Business Bluffing Ethical?, p.23-31

    2. Bhide and Stephenson, Why be Honest...? p.32-41

    3. Bowie, Companies are Discovering..., p.41-45

    4. Cases: Borland’s Brave Beginnings, p.46; Rebate Trickery

    B. Ethical Reasoning Theories

    1. Chapter introduction, p. 77-90

    2. Valasquez, Thinking Ethically (AE 1)

    3. Hill, Business Ethics, p. 109-114

    4. Ethics in America (video)

    C. Capitalism, Greed and the Poor

    1. Chapter 5 introduction, p.163-68

    2. Stossel, Greed (video)

    3. Tzedakah (online)

    4. Noonan, John Paul the Great, "Men at Work"

    5. Budde, God is Not a Capitalist

    6. Wallis, The Powerful and the Powerless

    Part II: Business, Society and Globalization

    III. Organizational Ethics

    A. The Problem

    1. Chapter 12 Introduction, p. 423-24

    2. Milgram, The Perils of Obedience (handout and video)

    3. Gellerman, Why Corporations can’t Control Chicanery (AE 42)

    4. Gibson, Excuses, Excuses (handout)

    B. The Solution

    1. Paine, Managing for Org. Integrity (AE 36)

    2. Sauser, Business Ethics: Back to Basics (AE 2)

    3. Brown, Hall Monitors in the Workplace (AE 16)

    C. Chapter Project: Corporate Codes of Conduct

    IV. Social Responsibility

    A. Competing Loyalties

    1. Chapter 4 Introduction, p. 129-131

    2. Friedman, The Social Responsibility of Business..., p. 131-35

    3. Goodpaster, Business Ethics and Stakeholder Analysis, p. 136-45

    4. Singer, The Perils of Doing the Right Thing (AE 32)

    5. Cases: MTV’s Jackass, Poletown

    B. The Living Wage Debate
  • 1. www.epionline.org/index_lw.cfm, www.livingwagecampaign.org/

    • 2. Sellers, Deliver us from Walmart (handout)

    3. Weisel, The Perils of Indifference (handout)

    4. Cases: Julia Toledo Tragedy, Walmart in Maryland/Chicago, Downward Mobility (video)

    C. Chapter Project: Corporate Social Responsibility

    V. International ethics

    A. Ethics Abroad

    1. Chapter 6 Introduction, p. 223-25

    2. Donaldson, Values in Tension (AE 29)

    3. Case: Google in China

    B. Sweatshops and Outsourcing

    1. Kristof & WuDunn, Two Cheers for Sweatshops, p.239-41

    2. Reingold, Into Thin Air (AE 15)

    3. Case: Nike (Video)

    C. Environmental Ethics

    1. Chapter 10 Introduction, p. 367-69

    2. Leithart, Snakes in the Garden (handout); Hoffman; Derr

    3. Cases: Kyoto

    Part III: Employment, Advertising and Financial Ethics

    VI. Employee Relations

    A. Employment at Will

    1. Chapter 7 Introduction, p. 255-58

    B. Privacy:

    1. Schulman, Little Brother is Watching You, p.414-17

    C. Affirmative action

    1. Nagel, A Defense of Affirmative Action (handout)

    2. Steel, Affirmative Action: The Price of Preference (handout)

    D. Race and Gender Discrimination

    1. McMorris, Race-Based Jobs (handout)

    2. Tischler, Where are the Women? (AE 12)

    3. Wendt and Slonaker, Sexual Harassment and Retaliation: A Double-Edged Sword (AE 10)

    VII. Advertising ethics

    A. Chapter 9 Introduction, p.337-39

    B. Levitt, The Morality of Advertising, p. 340-48

    C. Kotler, Is Marketing Ethics and Oxymoron? (AE 33)

    D. Waide, The Making of Self and World in Advertising, p. 348-54

    E. Clapp, Making Consumers, p. 355-59

    F. Cases: Diamonds are Forever (p.360); The Merchants of Cool (video)

    VIII. Financial ethics

    A. Accounting irregularities

    1. Morgenson, If Directors Snooze... (handout)

    B. Insider trading

    1. Handouts

    IX. Conclusion: Taking a Stand

    A. McCoy, The Parable of the Sadhu (AE 21)

     
         


    Contact Information: 

    Mark Peacock
    Assoc. Professor of Legal Studies
    PO Box 500
    Milligan College, TN 37682
    (423) 461-8675
    mwpeacock@milligan.edu

    08.23.06