San José State University
College of Humanities & the Arts/Philosophy Department
BUS2/PHIL 186, Professional & Business Ethics, Sections 1, 2 & 3, Spring, 2011
Instructor:
Lisa Bernasconi
Office Location:
Faculty Office Building 206
Email:
lisabernasconi@gmail.com
Office Hours:
Tuesdays 10:30am to 11:30am or by arrangement
Class Days/Time:
Classroom:
Prerequisites:
GE/SJSU Studies Category:
Section 1: MW 7:30am to 8:45am
Section 2: TR 7:30am to 8:45am
Section 3: TR 9:00am to 10:15am
Boccardo Business Center 222 (all sections)
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.
Area S: Self, Society and Equality in the U.S.
NOTE: Courses to meet Areas R, S, and V of SJSU Studies must be
taken from three different departments, or distinct academic units.
Faculty Web Page
Copies of the course materials such as the syllabus, major assignment handouts, etc. may be found on my faculty web page at
http://www.sjsu.edu/people/lisa.bernasconi/ or www.mrsbernasconi.com or accessible through the Quick Links>Faculty Web
Page links on the SJSU home page. You are responsible for regularly checking your email for updates and changes.
Course Description
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.
GE/SJSU Studies Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing the course, students shall be able to:
1. describe how identities (i.e., religious, gender, ethnic, racial, class, sexual orientation, disability, and/or age) are
shaped by cultural and societal influences within contexts of equality and inequality; (Discussion of Feminist Ethics,
Affirmative Action; Film: The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter)
2. describe historical, social, political, and economic processes producing diversity, equality, and structured inequalities
in the U.S.; Interview assignment; Film: Stolen Childhoods; Readings on competing views of justice -Utilitarian,
Libertarian, Egalitarian- and discussion of their merits and deficiencies.)
3. describe social actions which have led to greater equality and social justice in the U.S. - i.e. religious, gender, ethnic,
racial, class, sexual orientation, disability, and/or age; (Readings and discussion on the rise and fall of labor unions,
affirmative action, constitutional protections of civil rights, Film: Tea and Justice)
4. recognize and appreciate constructive interactions among people from different cultural, racial, ethnic groups within
the U.S. (Group Presentations on current and historical persons of interest from a business perspective)
BUS2/PHIL 186 Professional and Business Ethics, Spring 2011
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Course Content Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing the course, students shall have an understanding of ethical issues relating to:
A. Moral Ideas: Kantian Ethics, Utilitarianism
B. Alternative Approaches to Morality: The Ethics of Care, Virtue Ethics
C. Justice and Equality: Redistribution of Wealth (Utilitarianism, Egalitarianism, Libertarianism), Gender Justice, Child
Labor and Sweatshops
D. Diversity in the Workplace: Women in Male-dominated Careers, Worker Benefits and New Definitions of Family,
Affirmative Action and Gender Justice
E. The World of Work I: Professional Ethics, Conflicts of Interest, Mission Statements and Codes of Ethics, Whistle-blowing
F. The World of Work II: Drug Testing, Advertising, Sales, Downsizing, Outsourcing and Globalization, Business and the
Environment
Required Text
Shaw, William H., and Barry Vincent. Moral Issues in Business. 11th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2010.
Classroom Protocol
You are responsible for taking advantage of the opportunity to learn in this class. If you are on a sports team that requires
travel during the semester, or if you have a job or other commitment that will interfere with your ability to attend class
regularly, discuss this with me before the drop date so that we can determine together whether you will be able to fulfill the
course requirements. If something unforeseen occurs during the semester that results in a prolonged absence from class, it is
your responsibility to contact me (or have a friend or relative contact me) to make arrangements for you to fulfill the course
requirements. If you simply stop attending class and then reappear later without having contacted me, you will receive a
grade of WU (Unauthorized Withdrawal).
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the
current semester’s Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be
found on the current academic calendar web page located at
http://www.sjsu.edu/academic_programs/calendars/academic_calendar/ . The Late Drop Policy is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for
dropping classes. Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at
http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Assignments
2 midterm exams each worth 17.5% of total grade
1 community service project worth 5% of total grade
1 critical response essay worth 15% of total grade (analysis of case study using ethical theories)
1 interview worth 15% of total grade (summary and direct quotes from interview subject)
1 group research project worth 15% of total grade (research, written summary and oral presentation)
1 final exam worth 15% of total grade
There will be no extra credit assigned. Late assignments will not be accepted without serious cause. You may submit
assignments as email attachments on or before the due date.
Grading Policy
95% & above: A
77% to 79.99%: C+
90% to 94.99%: A74% to 76.99%: C
87% to 89.99%: B+
70% to 73.99%: C-
BUS2/PHIL 186 Professional and Business Ethics, Spring 2011
84% to 86.99%: B
60% to 69.99%: D
80% to 83.99%: B59.99% and below: F
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University Policies
Academic integrity
Your commitment as a student to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University. The University’s
Academic Integrity policy, located at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/S07-2.htm, requires 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. Their website is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/Student_Organization/
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 your assignment or any material you have submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note
that SJSU’s Academic Policy S07-2 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
Disability Resource Center (DRC) at http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/ to establish a record of their disability.
Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall and on the
2nd floor of the Student Union. Additional computer labs may be available 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, projection screens and monitors.
Learning Assistance Resource Center
The Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) is located in Room 600 in the Student Services Center. It is designed to
assist students in the development of their full academic potential and to inspire them to become independent learners. The
Center's tutors are trained and nationally certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). They provide
content-based tutoring in many lower division courses (some upper division) as well as writing and study skills assistance.
Small group, individual, and drop-in tutoring are available. Please visit the LARC website for more information at
http://www.sjsu.edu/larc/.
SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center is located in Room 126 in Clark Hall. It 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. The
Writing Center website is located at http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/about/staff/.
Peer Mentor Center
The Peer Mentor Center is located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall in the Academic Success Center. The Peer Mentor Center is
staffed with Peer Mentors who excel in helping students manage university life, tackling problems that range from academic
challenges to interpersonal struggles. On the road to graduation, Peer Mentors are navigators, offering “roadside assistance”
to peers who feel a bit lost or simply need help mapping out the locations of campus resources. Peer Mentor services are free
and available on a drop –in basis, no reservation required. The Peer Mentor Center website is located at
http://www.sjsu.edu/muse/peermentor/
BUS2/PHIL 186 Professional and Business Ethics, Spring 2011
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