UMUC-Europe Syllabus

A study of the relationship of business ethics and social responsibility in both domestic and global settings. Ethical and moral considerations of corporate conduct, social responsibilities, policies, and strategies are explored. Emphasis is on the definition, scope, application, and analysis of ethical values as they relate to issues of public consequence in both the domestic and global environments.

Course Goals/Objectives:

After completing this course, students should be able to: * Identify and define key moral concepts and theorists and explain their applications to business ethics decisions in the domestic and international environments. * Demonstrate an understanding of the interconnected and complementary dimensions between business ethics, economics, law, corporate and organizational culture, performance and relationships. * Identify, discuss and analyze important ethical concerns and issues in the functional areas of business including management, marketing, accounting, finance and global business. * Apply critical thinking, analytic, communication and team building skills through group assignments, case analysis, problem solving, research, presentations and discussions. * Develop applicable skills and knowledge in the relevant cross curricular initiatives including effective writing, information literacy, globalization, computerization, historical perspective, and civic responsibility.

Course Introduction:

This course is designed to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the moral components of ethical principles and their relationship to business decisions. It introduces you to a broad array of information and develops relevant skills encompassing moral philosophy and reasoning in the multi-dimensional and global applications of business ethics and decision making by incorporating unique instructional methodologies that combine theory with real life case examples of practical application and significance. Note: Each chapter begins with a Chapter Outline, Chapter Objectives, and An Ethical Dilemma and concludes with a Summary, Important Terms for Review, A Real-Life Situation, and Check Your E.Q. I. Understanding Ethical Decision Making 1. An Overview of Business Ethics Business Ethics Defined Social Responsibility and Business Ethics The Development of Business Ethics Why Study Business Ethics? Framework for Studying Business Ethics 2. Ethical Issues in Business Foundations of Ethical Conflict Classification of Ethical Issues Ethical Issues Related to Participants and Functional Areas of Business Recognizing an Ethical Issue 3. Applying Moral Philosophies to Business Ethics Moral Philosophy Defined Moral Philosophy Perspectives 4. Social Responsibility The Legal Dimension The Ethical Dimension The Economic Dimension The Philanthropic Dimension 5. A Framework for Understanding Ethical Decision Making in Business Ethical Issue Intensity Individual Factors: Stages of Cognitive Moral Development Corporate Culture Business Ethics Evaluations and Intentions Using the Ethical Decision-Making Framework to Improve Ethical Decisions 6. Organizational Culture and Ethical Decision Making Organizational Structure and Business Ethics The Role of Corporate Culture in Ethical Decision Making Leadership Group Dimensions of Organizational Structure and Culture Implications of Organizational Relationships for Ethical Decisions 7. Organizational Relationships and Conflicts in Ethical Decision Making Interpersonal Relationships in Organizations Role of Opportunity and Conflict Improving Ethical Decision Making in Business 8. Development of an Effective Ethics Program An Effective Ethical Compliance Program Codes of Ethics and Compliance Standards High-Level Managers' Responsibility for Ethical Compliance Programs and the Delegation of Authority Effective Communication of Ethical Standards Establishing Systems to Monitor, Audit, and Enforce Ethical Standards Continuous Improvement of the Ethical Compliance Program The Influence of Personal Values in Business Ethics Programs The Ethical Compliance Audit 9. Business Ethics in a Global Economy Ethical Perceptions and International Business Culture as a Factor in Business Adapting Ethical Systems to a Global Framework: Cultural Relativism The Multinational Corporation A Universal Set of Ethics Ethical Issues Around the Globe 10. Business Ethics and Organizational Performance Relationship of Business Ethics to Performance

Grading Information and Criteria:

Midterm Exam: 30% Final Exam: 30% Written Assignments: 25% *Other: 15% Total: 100% *Includes participation, assignments such as case analyses, current events, problem solving answers, quizzes and projects. A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F below 60%

Other Information:

Written Assignments Students are required to do either (A) a research paper or (B) case analyses or (C) critique of a substantive professional journal article applicable to business ethics at the discretion of the instructor. All written assignments must conform to the appropriate elements of documentation and style found in the Manual for Writers by Kate L. Turabian or other equivalent manuals of style. Student Requirements: Participation: By registering for this course, you have made a commitment to participate regularly and constructively in course assignments and activities as warranted by the instructional medium. You are expected to conduct yourself professionally and adhere to the general rules of academic etiquette, decency, integrity and respect, subject to the expectations of the relevant learning modality and university policy. You may wish to note that participation counts towards your final grade, which will be determined by the quality, analytic depth, timeliness and responsiveness to all assignments, activities and discussions. Preparation: Read and study the assigned text and other related materials ahead of time. Prepare critical questions and answers on reading assignments for class discussion. Assignments: Submit assignments on time. Points will be deducted for late submission unless otherwise indicated. You are responsible for keeping copies of all your work, including graded examinations and assignments, and you must be able to produce them if needed. Cooperation: Cooperate with your group members and work as a team on assigned projects. Also, cooperate to enhance the learning environment and utilize the appropriate technology and medium to communicate on a regular basis with other students and the instructor. Research: Conduct research in a timely and professional manner in accordance with the defined expectations. Examinations: Examinations may include a combination of comprehensive essays and multiple choice questions. Response to comprehensive essay questions should include the following: Demonstrated ability to integrate knowledge of the literature based on assigned readings, course communications, and instruction. Logical coherence, moral reasoning, sequential flow, and critical analysis and response to the question in essay form. Grammatically correct answers, proper sentence and paragraph construction. Scheduled examinations: Take all examinations on the scheduled date and in accordance with stated requirements, policies or procedures. Make-up examinations: There will be no make-up exams except in cases of unavoidable circumstances which must be verified, and comply with university policy. Incomplete: No Incomplete(s) will be given except in cases of bona fide emergencies and with completion of a substantial amount of the course requirements as demonstrated by regular and satisfactory class performance and in accordance with university policy.

Project Descriptions:

Written and other assignments will be evaluated according to the following standards: Term Paper: A well-defined thesis including the purpose, assumption, or hypothesis of your research. Differentiation of your paper/project from any current research. Logical integration of information to support or disprove your thesis. Organizational consistency, orderly flow, relevancy, and effectiveness of sequential ideas and paragraphs to your central theme. Grammatically correct construction and correct spelling and punctuation. Timeliness and scope of research. Submit, on the due date, a thoroughly researched term paper with a minimum of ten pages, unless otherwise indicated by the instructor. Your topic must deal with a current aspect of the course, and an initial outline of your research must be submitted to your instructor for his or her prior approval. Your submission should include the following: a) topic of your choice, b) thesis statement, and c) sample outline and bibliography of references, including articles from professional journals, preferably in the discipline. The caliber, quality, and depth of research will be judged in part according to the nature of the subject matter and the bibliographic documentation including, particularly, the use of articles from professional journals, preferably in the discipline. The paper should conform to the standards of formatting and documentation, including proper citations and references found in the Manual for Writers by Kate L. Turabian or other equivalent manuals of style. The final paper must: a) be typed, double spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman or Arial fonts with margins no wider than one inch, b) have footnotes or endnotes with correct citations, c) have a bibliography of sources used, and d) include, for each entry, the author, title, city and state of publisher, publisher's name, year, and page numbers. Case Analysis The case format is an effective method for analyzing ethical problems in business. It provides a framework for the logical, reflective and insightful evaluation of ethical issues and the application of moral principles and theories in the exercise of practical judgments in business decision making. Ethical business cases have multiple issues with multiple alternatives, consequences and personal implications. While there are no demonstrably correct answers in ethical case analyses of business issues, there is, however, a logically cohesive and succinctly analytic, well reasoned, answer you are expected to provide. Your case analysis should incorporate the following elements with integrated questions as a guide: a) Facts b) Issue(s) c) Alternatives/Propositions d) Decision/Recommendation e) Implementation f) Evaluation. Facts: What are the facts of the case? Provide a summary of the facts with an objective rather than evaluative statement describing concrete aspects of the relevant situation or event(s) in the case. Issue: What are the individual, organizational or societal issue(s) you identified? Issue(s) in the case are phrased by raising normative questions: Should we...? Does the action? For example: Do genetic testing and genetic "susceptibility" to certain traits have a place in hiring practices? It is stated in a manner that can be answered yes or no. You must examine the issue from a moral and ethical perspective (i.e., right or wrong, good or bad, fair or unfair, just or unjust). Your position should be supported by well reasoned arguments. Alternatives (Propositions): What alternative propositions would you identify and how would you evaluate and resolve the issue (s)? Alternatives are expressed in the form of propositions or prescriptive statements suggesting action and are framed by asking the normative question what could or should the company do? Examine advantages and disadvantages of each alternative from a pro and con perspective incorporating descriptive or normative analyses. The former asks "Why?" and seeks specific empirical evidence from factual observation to evaluate proposed action. The latter asks "What ought or should be?" and reflects value judgments, beliefs and assumptions of whether the proposition will work. Apply ethical theories in context of your evaluations. For example, teleological or consequentialist theorists would examine who are the stakeholders, both internal and external to the company, and what are the positive and negative consequences for each group. Deontologists seek universality of principles from the facts based on consistency and normative formulations of whether it should be universalized. Justice theorists ask what goods are being distributed, how they should be distributed, and what rights ensue from the type of distribution. Decision and Recommendation: What is the best alternative you recommend the company should adopt and why? Compare, analyze, integrate and support your recommendation based on synthesis and analysis of the alternatives through factual observations and normative inquiry, justifying the reasoning for your choice. Implementation: How would you implement your decision? What strategies would you pursue? What organizational or other corporate changes would be required? Are there any economic, legal, political or resource constraints that may impede implementation of your recommendation(s) and how would you overcome them? Evaluation: How would you ensure recommended strategies would continue to be effective? What unforeseen changes you anticipate in the domestic and global environment that may impact your recommendation? Be anticipatory and creative in your approach, thinking beyond the "box" to forge solutions. Article Critique: The following guidelines should form the basis of your critique: Demonstrated ability to think and express one's self critically. Identification and synopsis of key points in the article expressed in a succinct and substantive manner. Integration of your criticisms referencing the author or article in context and explaining your analytic views from a pros and cons perspective, identifying salient strengths and weaknesses. The sequential organization, synthesis, analysis of the information and the logical coherence and persuasiveness of your argument. The ability to raise critical questions and provide rational and well thought out alternative points of views.

Academic Policies:

Cases of plagiarism are handled consistent with current UMUC guidelines. See the UMUC policies at the following URL: http://www.umuc.edu/policy/

Course Schedule:

Meeting 1 Business Ethics Defined Meeting 2 The Development of Business Ethics Meeting 3 Foundations of Ethical Conflict Meeting 4 Recognizing and Ethical Issue Meeting 5 Moral Philosophy Defined Meeting 6 Social Responsibility: The Ethical Dimension Meeting 7 Social Responsibility: The Economic Dimension MidTerm Examination Meeting 8 Ethical Issue Intensity Meeting 9 Organizational Structure and Business Ethics Meeting 10 Interpersonal Relationships in Organizations Meeting 11 Codes of Ethics and Compliance Standards Meeting 12 Effective Communication of Ethical Standards Meeting 13 Ethical Perceptions and International Business Meeting 14 Relationship of Business Ethics to Performance Meeting 15 Review Meeting 16 Final Examination