Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Textbook:
Business Ethics 6th edition. Richard DeGeorge, Pearson/Prentice Hall Publishing
Course description:
This lecture course will offer a social science survey of current business practices and the normative value
systems by which they operate and are regulated. The study of politics and values in business and technology
involves an analysis of three interrelated areas: economics, politics and law, and ethics. We shall begin with an
introduction to two major systems of normative values—utilitarianism and rights based ethics. Additionally, we will
briefly explore the influence of virtue ethics on the evolution of modern value systems. We shall then proceed to an
examination of selected topics of concern in the field of business and technology, using case studies to apply the
different theories of behavior and practice. Especially relevant will be the concern for how current business
practices are influenced by culture, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and by political institutions and contemporary
technological developments. The course goal will be to 1) raise awareness of the larger social impact of
technological and economic developments; 2) develop a working vocabulary of evaluative terms and concepts
derived from political, economic and ethical theory, and 3) apply this evaluative vocabulary in formulating and
critiquing arguments and decisions regarding ethical problems that are raised.
All exams and the course grade will be determined by the following scale:
1. email: You must put your full name on all email correspondence. Emails sent without a name will not
be answered. We will NOT send exam, quiz, assignment and final grades via email. You may
receive your grades when exams, etc., are returned during or after class, or you may drop by my or the
TA’s office hours to receive your grades and other pertinent material.
2. You may not reschedule an exam for any reason—except for a documented medical emergency.
3. In order for you to receive an excused absence, you must notify me or the Teaching Assistant prior
to class; or you must have a documented medical emergency; otherwise, all absences and tardies will
be considered unexcused.
5. All grades are final (unless there is a mistake when determining a grade—this does happen).
The time to be concerned with a grade is during the semester, not after. When challenging a grade, it is the
responsibility of the student to produce the requisite materials. There is no extra credit given in this class.
DO NOT BRING CELL PHONES INTO EXAMS. ANYONE CAUGHT WITH A CELL PHONE OR ANY
OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WILL IMMEDIATELY RECEIVE A 0 (F) FOR
THAT EXAM.
3360.001
Course outline and reading: