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GB 441 Syllabus Spring 2018

Business In Society: Ethics, Responsibility And Sustainability (Boise State University)

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Syllabus: GB 441 - BUSINESS IN SOCIETY: ETHICS, RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY

INSTRUCTORS: John Bernardo

OFFICE: MBEB 2219
PHONE: 695-9096
EMAIL: [email protected] (do not email through Blackboard)
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
CLASS: Section 002: Thursday 6:00 - 8:45 PM, Room MBEB 1106

COURSE DESCRIPTION
As current events regularly indicate, the potential for ethical failures within the business environment is
substantial. Perhaps the greatest initial problem with acting in a manner perceived to be ethical by
society is the failure to recognize when ethical dilemmas confront us. An ethical dilemma can be defined
as any situation where there is a conflict of interests or values. Such conflicts will only be perceived
when we are aware of the competing interests or values themselves. One overriding purpose of this
course (in large part embodied in the stakeholder approach) is to expose students to and help students
learn how to identify and understand the existence of a variety of other interests and values that may be
involved in any personal or business decision-making situation. This then facilitates the recognition of
situations that involve ethical dimensions as well as the learning of tools to avoid or resolve those
conflicts in ways that recognize socially accepted standards of conduct, whether those standards are
ensconced in law or not. Addressing ethical issues is best done in an intentional, specific and cohesive
way.
The secondary purpose of this course is to understand that corporate management, and specifically
senior management, must understand and be the drivers behind creating and sustaining an ethical
culture in the workplace, also in an intentional, specific and cohesive way if business is to respond
adequately to changing expectations in the social environment.
A third purpose of this course is to understand that business as a whole and individual businesses or
industries in particular must be continually aware of precursors to change and changes in the social
context within which business operates and is expected to establish and preserve its legitimacy and
ultimately survival, often referred to as “sustainability.” Businesses are also beginning to recognize the
competitive advantages of taking a multiple, or “triple bottom-line” stakeholder perspective that
addresses social and environmental factors as well as financial objectives. Business must understand its
changing social responsibilities and be in a position to both influence the definition and recognition of
those responsibilities as well as respond to them. Implicit in this is the need to recognize the interests of
various internal and external stakeholders and address their legitimate needs and expectations in an
ethical fashion. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is about understanding society’s changing
expectations and managing their implications for the business environment in order to operate a
sustainable enterprise, one which continues to enjoy a competitive advantage in obtaining and retaining
the cooperation of its critical stakeholders. In relation to ethical behavior, strategic CSR is about how a
firm decides to and does “the right thing” for itself, its stakeholders and society when faced with
conflicting interests, values and business choices.
Within this context, this course explores the relationships between business, government, and society in
domestic and, critically, global contexts. Business is the dominant social institution in the U.S. and
throughout much of the world, and government regulates business for the general welfare through law,
regulation, and administrative agencies. Society with its various influences and interest groups has a
significant voice in how and to what extent business is regulated.

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One of the objectives of this course will be to examine the limits of the law's ability to regulate a society,
as well as conversely the limits of self-regulation and reliance upon expectations of ethical conduct. We
will discuss the concepts of business, government and stakeholders and examine how their overlapping
but often competing interests create difficult economic, legal and ethical challenges for managers and
policy-makers in a variety of areas. Extensive use will be made of current events and topics.
Finally, through the Group Project, students will explore current businesses and business practices as
they relate to the various core areas of CSR.
OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
A. To develop an elementary ability to identify and analyze ethical issues and to solve ethical
problems in a business context.
B. To raise awareness of each student’s ethical attitudes and develop communication skills to
participate in discussions of ethical issues.
C. To understand the concept of stakeholders and their relationship to business and impact on
managerial decision-making.
D. To examine current issues (domestic and international) in business, government and society by
applying a stakeholder analysis.
E. To apply course content to actual business operations and explore how CSR can be applied in a
strategic manner to enhance business opportunities and long term sustainability.

Students in this class will learn or practice the following COBE Core Curriculum concepts, methods,
and skills:
1. Understand and apply analytical and disciplinary concepts and methods related to business and
economics:
☑ 1.2. Business Policy and Strategy
☑ 1.6. International environment of business
☑ 1.7. Legal environment of business
☑ 1.8. Management
2.1. Communicate effectively: Write messages and documents that are clear, concise, and
☑
compelling
2.2. Communicate effectively: Give oral presentations that use effective content, organization,
☑
and delivery
☑ 3. Solve problems, including unstructured problems, related to business and economics
☑ 4. Use effective teamwork and collaboration skills
☑ 5. Resolve ethical issues related to business and economics

TEXT and READINGS

Required:
- Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Sustainable Value Creation, 4rd Ed., Chandler (Sage 2017)
- Assigned readings on Blackboard.
Recommended: New York Times, The Guardian, Idaho Statesman and/or a weekly business
newsmagazine, such as The Economist or Business Week. Marketplace.org

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POLICY ON LAPTOPS, I-PADS or TABLETS IN THE CLASSROOM

You may use laptops during class if used in a professional, polite and non-disruptive manner.

CLASS REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING SYSTEM

This is NOT simply a lecture class. Each class period will focus on building on the assigned readings and
any additional news reports or articles that relate to the topic assigned for that particular day, whether
provided by the instructor or by students. You are expected to read the assigned materials in advance
and be prepared to discuss the concepts and issues they raise. The position is taken that the instructor
can presume that students have read and understand the material in the text and other assigned reading
unless students themselves raise questions and issues. In this respect, students are responsible for
setting the initial agenda for each class by raising such questions and issues for discussion. Students
should therefore not expect a regular lecture on the text. As mentioned above, in addition to the
assigned reading (textbook and Blackboard articles), there will be regular discussion of news reports and
recent articles describing social, ethical and political events or trends affecting business. I expect and
encourage honest and intelligent engagement. Class participation is an extremely important part of the
learning process in this class. It is not my role or purpose to indoctrinate you into any particular values
or ways of thinking. It is my role to challenge you to think for yourself and to willingly address critical
issues that pertain to course content.
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND AND PREPARE FOR CLASS FAITHFULLY, DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE. Each
student will be expected to participate in class discussion. There will also be various homework
assignments and class exercises during the semester. Class attendance and regular, intelligent
participation are essential parts of the course. Both the quality and quantity of a student's class
participation can be considered as part of your grade and, more importantly, a substantial contributor to
effective learning.
Attendance Policy: Attendance may be taken. Students are expected to be responsible within the
context of their own life achievement expectations.
ASSIGNMENTS/ASSESSMENT
The following are more adequately described further below.

Assessment Value toward final grade

Ethics in Practice 10 Points
The Corporation Assignment 20 Points
5 Current Events Journals 75 Points (15 points each)
Chapter Quizzes (Blackboard) 100 (10 Points each)
Group Presentation(s) (case) 25 Points (each student)
Final Exam 100 Points
Participation 30

Total: 360
There will be no opportunities for extra credit or makeup work during the course of the semester.
I reserve the right to adjust final grades upward or downward on the basis of attendance, improvement,
class participation (including Blackboard Discussion Threads, if utilized) and demeanor. Civility is a
minimum requirement for passing the course.
Contact with Instructor: Students are strongly encouraged to raise questions on course material in class
for everyone’s benefit. Students needing further assistance on course material or other matters are

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strongly encouraged to communicate with the instructor either personally or by email. All student
difficulties affecting class performance should be raised with the instructor as soon as they become
apparent to the student. Careful consideration and confidentiality can be expected.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
All students are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct which includes information on
academic dishonesty and which can be found at http://deanofstudents.boisestate.edu/scp-
codeofconduct/. Sanctions for academic dishonesty range from no credit given for the assignment, a
grade of failure in or dismissal from the course to expulsion from the university.

ASSIGNMENTS/ OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT (further described)

Instructions for all written work downloaded to Blackboard: Word document, margins 1” all around, New
Times Roman 12 point font, 350-500 words, double spaced. Use the word count wisely.

Ethics in Practice:
Due for the second class, an “Ethics in Practice” scenario will be due. Examples of prior “Ethics in
Practice” cases are provided on Blackboard and will be used in class. Students are to create an Ethics in
Practice of their own, based either upon their own experience or a credible scenario created by them.
They should be written in either the first or third person with fictitious names and places to preserve
anonymity. The format required is the same as those examples used in class including the presentation
of a factual scenario. In addition, create three pertinent questions at the end of your factual scenario
that would guide an ethical analysis. So, these questions should go beyond simply leading one to
identifying the issue(s) and be structured in order to guide resolution of the issue(s), in other words, the
ethical analysis of the issues. Make sure that the factual information you give is sufficient to begin to
answer the questions and for ethical analysis. Grading will be based on the usefulness of the scenario
and questions in an actual class discussion as well as how well it is presented (writing style, grammar,
etc.). Realistic scenarios that raise important ethical (as opposed to legal) questions and would spark
serious response will receive higher marks.

Analysis of Articles:
Each student will be responsible for submitting an analysis of the assigned article and four weekly
journals selected by the student. Each journal is worth 15 points. The “Common Article” assigned for
Week 5 is Scientist Precisely Edit DNA in Human Embryos to Fix a Disease Gene. On Thursday of Week 6,
the First Student-selected Article will be due. Starting with the Thursday of Week 8 through the Thursday
of Week 10, Articles 2, 3 and 4 will be due; one per week. For the four Student-selected Articles,
students may submit an analysis of a newspaper/magazine article published within the past 14 days.
Submission is on Blackboard under Assignments. Additional guidelines are posted separately on
Blackboard in the Course Information section under “Analysis of Articles Guidelines.” The article itself or
a link/url must also be submitted along with the analysis with the newspaper’s name and date of
publication. Articles from the internet may be used if they are of the same nature as a current
newspaper article and published within the specified time frame. As the course progresses, increasing
emphasis, and therefore grading results, will be placed upon choosing an article that lends itself to a
greater application of course principles and analysis or relates to specific course content.

Article Analyses are due by 6:00 PM on Thursdays.

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As an aside, poor writing skills is one of the most common complaints of employers and can most
certainly diminish your career opportunities. Students realizing the need to improve in this area are
encouraged to take advantage of the free services offered at the BSU Writing Center. The Center works
with writers from any discipline, at any stage of the writing process: brainstorming, revising, editing. All
consultations are done by appointment, and writers can make an appointment through the web page
(http://writingcenter.boisestate.edu/), in person (Liberal Arts Building, Room 200), or over the phone
(426-1298). The weekly article analysis assignment is an excellent vehicle for working with the Writing
Center to improve your writing.

The Corporation Assignment:

In week 7 you will need to view “The Corporation” video on your own time and hand in a writing
assignment fulfilling requirements which will be provided separately on Blackboard in Course
Documents. You must watch at least Chapters 1-4 and 22-23 and 2-3 more of your own choosing. The
video may be accessed at several sites on Youtube including: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Pin8fbdGV9Y and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y&list=PLCDF6B02DFD948794
(divided unto chapters).

Quizzes and Exam:

The purpose of quizzes is to examine comprehension of materials presented in the textbook readings.
Quizzes will be taken on Blackboard at designated times on a chapter basis (through Chapters 1-10).
The quiz may be taken prior to coverage of the chapters in class and will cover the assigned reading. The
Final Exam will be given in class during Finals Week.

Chapter quizzes are due by 11:00 PM on Thursdays.

Participation:
Participation in class is one of the most conducive activities to learning and is therefore encouraged for
its intrinsic benefits rather than for its role in grading. However, at the end of the semester when all
other sources of points are cumulated and grade distribution cutoffs are established, students with a
superior record of quality participation and who are within a short reach from the next grade level may
on that basis receive a higher grade. This is of course a subjective evaluation, as is grading of written
work and it is fully within the discretion of the instructor as to whether participation warrants grade
advancement.

Planned Schedule:

Week 1: Introduction to Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (January 11)

Week 2: (January 18): Ethics [Ethics in Practice due]
Week 3: (January 25): Ethics and CSR
Week 4: (February 1): Ethics and CSR
Week 5: (February 8): Ethics [Common Article: Scientists Precisely Edit DNA… due]
Week 6: (February 15): [Student-selected Article 1 due]
Week 7: (February 22): [Corporation Paper due]
Week 8: (March 1): Chapters 1 and 2 [Student-selected Article 2 and Chapters 1 and 2 Quizzes due]
Week 9: (March 8): Chapters 3 and 4 [Student-selected Article 3 and Chapters 3 and 4 Quizzes due]
Week 10: (March 15): Chapters 5 and 6 [Student-selected Article 4 and Chapters 5 and 6 Quizzes due]
Week 11: (March 22) Chapters 7 and 8 [Chapters 7 and 8 Quizzes due]
Week 12: (April 5) Chapters 9 and 10 [Chapters 9 and 10 Quizzes due]

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Week 13: (April 12) Group Presentations

Week 14 (April 19) Group Presentations
Week 15 (April 26) Group Presentations
Week 16 (May 3) Final Exam

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