‫كلية االقتصاد واإلدارة‬
Faculty of Economic & Business
Syllabus
Business Ethics (BUS 327)
1st Semester 2014-2015
Dr. Francesca Mariotti
Assistant
Class Details: Monday, Wednesday Section GAR from 11 to 12:20, Building 420, Room B202
Contact Details:
Email: fmh.teaching@gmail.com
Building/Office: 2/2209.
Office Hours: S.Tue.T 8-10 & 12-1or by appointment by an email to make an
appointment)
Course Description:
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the social responsibility of
organizations towards the community. It focuses on some ethical issues facing
organizations and what the effects of such issues on the decision makers in their
dealing with society. This course, also, encourages students to behave according
to the required ethical standards as employees and managers in their
organizations.
Course Objectives:
1. To sensitize the students to the ethical dimensions of business and to train
them to identify ethical dilemmas, analyze them systemically and resolve
them based on ethical principles and moral theory.
2. To examine the ethical dimensions of business from different perspectives
and to introduce tools of ethical analysis of management decisions
involving difficult choices between right and wrong.
3. To convey the importance and functionality of core values, codes of
content and a source of trust and reputation in the marketplace.
4. To help participants evaluate the social responsibility standards of
companies, identify socially responsible initiatives and convey tools for their
effective implementation and evaluation.
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Learning Outcomes:
The students completing the course should be able to readily identify ethical
dilemmas in business, analyze them based on ethical principles, and resolve them
in a defensible direction or vigorously evaluate the ‘ morality’ of others’ decisions,
again based on alternative moral theories. They will also be able to understand
corporate social responsibility both as an ethical obligation to society and as an
opportunity for business thereby creating value for both. More specifically the
participants of the course are expected to learn:
1. How to respond to society’s changing ethical values and rising
expectations for business to be more transparent, accountable and socially
responsible.
2. How to identify, diagnose, analyze and resolve ethical dilemmas that
managers are confronted with.
3. How to identify and resolve conflicts of interest before they damage the
organization.
4. How to anticipate and pre-empt emerging threats to the image and
reputation of the company. How to use core values and codes of conduct
as a management tools to maintain employees motivation and customer
loyalty.
5. How to gain competitive advantage and goodwill by building trust and
reputation for ethical behavior.
6. How to strategically select socially responsible initiatives and how to
implement them as to create shared value for business and society.
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Course Topic Outline: * (this is a tentative schedule only and may be subject to
change)
Week
Assignment*
Course Topic
2
3
Course Overview
4
Social Responsibility
Chapter 2
Managing ethical business concerns
Chapter 3
1st Mid Term Exam
Responding to compliance and social
responsibility opportunities
Understanding and supporting ethical
conduct in the organization
Midterm Break
Organizational dimensions of ethical
decision making
Organizational approaches to ethical
decision making
2nd Midterm Exam
20 Points
Chapter 1
Business ethics in a global economy
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Implementing and evaluating
program effectiveness
Final Exam
ethics
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
20 points
Chapter 9
40 Points
Note: There will be some case studies given during the course and it will be determined
later.
Required Text Book:
Ethical decision making in business: A managerial approach. Fraedrich, J., Ferrell L. and
Ferrell O. C. South-Western Cengage Learning (9th edition), 2011.
Grading and evaluation:
The overall performance of the student(s) will be assessed while using the following criteria;
1st Mid Term Examination
2nd Mid Term Examination
Final Term Examination
Class Participation and Homework assignment
Total
3
30 points
20 points
40 points
10 points
100 points
Final grades will be based on the following scale:
Marks
Grade
95-100%
90-94%
85-89%
80-84%
75-79%
70-74%
65-69%
60-64%
0-59%
A+
A
B+
B
C+
C
D+
D
F
Examinations:
Exams will consist of short answer questions, multiple choice questions, true and false
etc., reflecting material presented in the textbook, outside readings, class lectures,
discussions, and videotapes.
Attendance:
It is important that you attend all class sessions, as exam questions will reflect
material presented in both the text and during lecture/discussion. I value class
participation. Your presence and participation during each and every class period
contributes to everyone's overall learning. Persistent absence, tardiness or
chatting in class will harm your grade. If you must be absent for any reason, you
are still responsible for any materials covered or assignments given during the
session you missed. Please notify me in advance of your absence (including for
work assignments), so we can make arrangements for make-up work/exams, if
necessary.
Keeping in touch with me: First, ask questions in class (it helps you and may
help others). Alternatively, visit me during my posted office hours or send me an
e-mail.
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