San José State University
Philosophy Department
Philosophy 186, Professional & Business Ethics, Fall 2008
Instructor:
Elizabeth Sonnier
Office location:
FO 204
Telephone:
924-7579
Email:
sonnierethics@yahoo.com
Office hours:
TR 5:45-6:45 and by appointment
Class days/time:
10:30-11:45 am
Classroom:
BBC 004
Prerequisites:
Completion of core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and
upper division standing. For students who begin continuous
enrollment at a CCC or a CSU in Fall 2005 or later, completion
of, or corequisite in a 100W course is required.
GE/SJSU Studies Category,
if applicable
G.E. Area S, Self, Society and Equality in the U.S.
Course Description and Goals
Interdisciplinary study of types of ethical problems which arise within the contexts of business
occupations and professions. Major ethical theories, critique of economic and criminal justice.
Focus is on issues of justice and equality in the U.S. Case studies.
Student Learning Objectives
GE Area S, Self, Society and Equality in the U.S Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe how religious, gender, ethnic, racial class, sexual orientation, disability, and/or
age identity are shaped by cultural and social influences in contexts of equality and
inequality.
2. Describe historical, social, political, and economic processes producing diversity, equality,
and structured inequalities in the United States.
3. Describe social actions by religious, gender, ethnic, racial, class, sexual orientation,
disability, and/or age groups leading to greater equality and social justice in the United
States.
4. Recognize and appreciate constructive interactions between people from different cultural,
racial, and ethnic groups in the United States.
Course Content Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. an understanding of ethical choices
2. an ability to address complex ethical issues and problems using disciplined analytical skills
3. an ability to communicate ethical concepts effectively
4. the capacity to participate as a socially responsible member of professional and/or business
communities
Required Texts/Readings (note where available)
Textbook
William Shaw and Vincent Barry. Moral Issues in Business. 10th edition.
Other readings (or recommended readings)
Include as necessary, alter heading, or delete this paragraph and heading
Classroom Protocol
Note expectations for participations, attendance, arrival times, behavior, safety, cell phone use, etc.
Dropping and Adding
You are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic
renewal, etc. found at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct. You should be aware of the new
deadlines and penalties for adding and dropping classes.
Assignments and Grading Policy
Course Requirements
Due Dates*
Percent
2 preliminary 2-3 page case studies Sept. 18 & Oct. 9
20
Midterm
15
Oct. 21
1 PowerPoint(or overheads)
DUE Nov. 13
05
Presentation
Nov 18
15
1 6-7 pg ROUGH DRAFT of term paper
Nov 18
15
1 8-10 page term paper
Dec. 12
10
Final
Friday, Dec. 12 (9:45-12:00)
20
Exam
GRADING SCALE
100-95
A
94-90
A-
89-88
B+
87-84
B
83-80
B-
79-77
C+
76-74
C
73-70
C-
69-67
D+
Makeup Exams
If students have a written medical excuse for missing an exam, a makeup exam will be given
within a week of the missed exam or, during the final makeup period.
Descriptions of Assignments/Exams
Exams
¼ multiple choice, ¼ true or false, and half essay and will be based on the reading assignments and
current case studies we discuss in class. If cases are included in exams they will be highlighted as
such in our review for midterm and our review for final.
Two Short Individual Case Studies
2-3 page essays that follow the format for communication of ethical analyses--for practice and
feedback using this format [a handout of this format will be given early in the semester]
Case Study Presentation
Students will give a group presentation with a group of classmates. Each group’s presentation will
be an ethical analysis of some very recent case chosen by you and approved by instructor. Length
of time of presentations will be 10-15 minutes.
Powerpoint or Overhead Presentation
Creative and succinct yet informative case analysis.
Rough Draft of Term Paper
The Rough Draft of the Term Paper will be a typed, double-spaced, 6 to 7 page ethical analysis of a
recent (last 2 months) case you choose, and follow the format for communication of ethical
analyses [a handout of this format will be given early in the semester]. The paper will be graded on
content and logic (70% of the grade) and style, format, and grammar (30%of the grade).
Term Paper
The term paper should be typed, double-spaced, 8 to 10 pages in length, and will be a revision of
the rough draft, according to comments for revision provided by me on your graded rough draft.
The final version of the term paper will be graded on content and logic (50% of the grade); style,
format, and grammar (10%of the grade); and quality of revision (40%of the grade).You must
submit the term paper on time
Papers that include any amount of plagiarism will earn a grade of zero, and the student will be
reported to the office of Judicial Affairs for violating the Academic Integrity Policy. Please see the
Academic Integrity Policy in the SJSU catalog for the definition of plagiarism.
Participation
During class sessions we will break up into groups for intimate discussion, and then share these
discussions with the rest of the class.
Academic integrity
Students are expected to be familiar with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy. Please review
this at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct. “Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by
your enrollment at San Jose State University and the University’s integrity policy, require you to be
honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to
the office of Student Conduct and Ethical development.”
Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism
(presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving
proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class, all
assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise specified. “If you
would like to include in your assignment any material you have submitted, or plan to submit for
another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Policy F06-1 requires approval of instructors.”
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make
special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me
as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that
students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the DRC (Disability
Resource Center) to establish a record of their disability.
Special accommodations for exams require ample notice to the testing office and must be
submitted to the instructor well in advance of the exam date.
Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in the new Academic Success Center located on the 1st
floor of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Additional labs that may be available
to students in your department/college. Computers are also available in the Martin Luther King
Library.
A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from Media Services
located in IRC 112. These items include digital and VHS camcorders, VHS and Beta video players,
16 mm, slide, overhead, DVD, CD, and audiotape players, sound systems, wireless microphones,
screens and monitors.
Learning Assistance Resource Center
The Learning Assistance Resource Center is designed to assist students in the development of their
full academic potential and to motivate them to become self-directed learners. The center provides
support services, such as skills assessment, individual or group tutorials, subject advising, learning
assistance, summer academic preparation and basic skills development. The Learning Assistance
Resource Center is located in Room 600 in the Student Services Center.
SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center is staffed by professional instructors and upper-division or graduate-level
writing specialists from each of the seven SJSU colleges. Our writing specialists have met a
rigorous GPA requirement, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all
disciplines to become better writers.
Business & Professional Ethics, Philosophy 186 Course
Schedule
(Note: subject to change with fair notice.).
Week
Date
Assignments
Readings
Topic
1
Aug 26, 28
Chapter 1.
Nature of
Morality (pp.227).
Introductions.
Iinitial
instructions.
Moral Ideas
2
Sept, 2, 4
Chapter. 2
Normative
Theories. pp.
68-69 & 56-62
Moral Ideas
RIGHTS
3
Sept.9, 11
Chapter 2
Normative
Theories, pp.
62-68. Ford
Pinto pp.79-81
Moral Ideas
Chapter 3
Justice &
Economic
Distribution,
pp. 102-122
Justice &
Equality
DISTRIB.
JUSTICE. &
RAWLS
1st CASE
ANALYSIS
DUE Thurs
Sept. 18
UTILITARIA
NISM &
KANT
4
Sept. 16, 18
5
Sept. 23, 25
Chapter 2
Normative
Theories pp.
62-68
Alternative
Approaches
to Morality
VIRTUE &
CARE
6
Sept.30,
Oct. 2
Chapter 4
Nature of
Capitalism,
pp.150-169
Alternative
Approaches
to Morality
MARX &
CAPITAL
7
Oct. 7, 9
2nd CASE
ANALYSIS
DUE Thurs.
Oct. 9
Chapter 5
Corporations
pp.207-227,
243-267
World of
Work II
8
Oct. 14,16
MIDTERM
REVIEW
Thurs. Oct.
16
Chapter 5
Corporations
pp.243-267
World of
Work II
9
Oct. 21, 23
MIDTERM
Chap. 6
Workplace,
World of
Oct.21
Basic Issues,
pp. 276-297
Work 1
10
Oct. 28, 30
Chap. 6
Workplace,
(Unions), pp.
307-324
World of
Work I
11
Nov. 4, 6
Chap. 8, Moral
Choices Facing
Employees, pp.
387-405
World of
Work I
12
Nov.13
PowerPoint
due in email
11/13
Chap. 9 Job
Discrimination,
pp. 454-473
Diversity in
the
Workplace
13
Nov. 18-20
Presentations
ROUGH
DRAFTS
DUE Tues
Nov. 18
Chapter 8
Moral Choices
Facing
Employees, pp.
434-445
World of
Work I
14
Nov. 25
Presentations
15
Dec. 2, 4
Presentations
Chapter 10
Consumers, pp.
507-533
World of
Work II
Chapter 11,
Environment,
World of
Work II
16
Dec. 8, 10
REVIEW
FOR FINAL
17
Dec.12
FINAL
EXAM
TERM
PAPER DUE
9:45-12:00