Extended Course Syllabus
Course
Undergraduate Core
Course Title:
Ethics in Business BCO 121
Course Dates
Spring 2016
Professor:
Daniela Schilcher
Reference Text:
Business & Society. A Strategic Approach to Social
Responsibility and Ethics. Thorne, Ferrel and Ferrel.
Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to ethical thinking in business. Globalisation, corporate scandals
and the financial crisis have created a need for shared ethical standards. Increased sensitivity and awareness will
enable the future professionals to contribute to a more sustainable economic interaction.
In this course we will explore the presence and the significance ethical issues in business and in professional
interaction. The student will learn to recognize moral aspects in a broader context and to identify inconsistencies
and consequences of presumptions and attitudes.
The course assumes no prior formal philosophical education. It will provide the student with the ability to
critically evaluate arguments and to develop personal moral principles. It will introduce the students to different
ethical theories. In parallel we will work on current cases in business ethics.
Course Requirement
Students are expected to carefully read the provided texts, complete all assignments and tests. They are expected
to participate in discussions, present cases and topics. Students must at all times conduct themselves in
accordance with EU’s high ethical standards and adhere to the policies and regulations detailed in the students’
pack. Unjustified absence of more than 2 sessions will result in automatic failure of the course.
Course Outcomes
-
The ability to identify ethical aspect of a situation
The ability to debate moral issues
Understanding of major positions in moral philosophy and their practical significance
Insight into current ethical issues in the world economy
The ability to understand the framework, identify dilemmas and solve them
Clarity concerning personal values
Course Grading
Assignments
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
40%
30%
30%
Grading follows the criteria set out in the students pack.
Assignments encompass one group presentation and one group debate about a preassigned topic (grading: 20%
each). Focus is put on critical thinking. Midterm and final exams: multiple choice tests covering theory.
In case hand in dates are given, failure to respect them will result in percentage deduction (up to 20%) for work
handed in one week after the hand in date. After that date the work will not be graded.
Midterm Exam: Session 6
Final Exam: Session 13
Course Program
TOPIC 1: SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND BUSINESS ETHICS
TOPIC 2: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIP
TOPIC 3: LEGAL, REGULATORY AND POLITICAL ISSUES
TOPIC 4: BUSINESS ETHICS AND ETHICAL DECISION MAKING (ETHICAL
ISSUES IN BUSINESS, HONESTY AND FAIRNESS, DISCRIMINATION,
CONFLICTS
OF
INTERESTS,
FRAUDS,
DISCRIMI NATION,
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE)
TOPIC 5: STRATEGIC APPROACH TO IMPROVING ETHICAL BEHAVIOR
(CODES OF CONDUCT, SYSTEMS TO MONITOR AND ENFORCE
ETHICAL BEHAVIOR, WHISTLE-BLOWING, THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP)
MID-TERM EXAM
TOPIC 6: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (DEFINITION OF CORP. GOVERNANCE,
ACCOUNTABILIY, QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF BOARDS OF
DIRECTORS, RISK MANAGEMENT, EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION)
TOPIC 7: CONSUMER AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS (CONSUMER
STAKEHOLDERS, RESPONSIBILITIES TO CONSUMERS, COMMUNITY
STAKEHOLDERS,
RESPONSIBILITIES
TO
THE
COMMUNITY,
ECONOMIC, LEGAL, ETHICAL AND PHILANTHROPIC ISSUES RELATED
TO THE COMMUNITY)
TOPIC
8:
EMPLOYEE
RELATIONS
(EMPLOYEE
STAKEHOLDERS,
RESPONSIBILITIES TO EMPLOYEES, ECONOMIC, LEGAL, ETHICAL
AND PHILANTHROPIC ISSUES RELATED TO EMPLOYEES, STRATEGIC
IMPLEMENTATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES TO EMPLOYEES)
TOPIC 9: ENVIRONMENTAL & TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES (GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND ETHICS, GREEN MARKETING,
CYBERCRIME, PRIVACY ISSUES, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY)
TOPIC 11: RECAP / CONNECTING THE TOPICS
FINAL EXAM