SYLLABUS FOR BUSINESS ETHICS COURSE
College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, OH
Summer 2012
Jozef D. Zalot, Ph.D.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to offer students an introduction to the study of business ethics from both a
philosophical and theological perspective. We begin by examining 1) foundational philosophical theories
and 2) the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and demonstrate how each is related to ethical business
activity. We then focus on specific challenges concerning – but not limited to – corporate governance,
socially responsible investing, product safety, truth in advertising, and doing business in an international
context. For each of these challenges, we discuss the underlying moral principles and seek to articulate
appropriate philosophical and theological responses to them.
This course does not assume any prior knowledge of business ethics, nevertheless we will discuss the
various concepts and issues in an in-depth way. Students will be encouraged to speak from their own
convictions to enlighten others as to differing points-of-view concerning business ethics issues. Also,
because of the nature and mission of the College of Mount St. Joseph, in this course I will proceed from
the theological perspective of the Roman Catholic Church. I must note, however, that the objective of the
course is not to “convert” students to Catholicism or to any other expression of Christian faith. Instead, its
purpose is to introduce students to the basic philosophical and theological foundations of a Christian
business ethic, and allow them to critically reflect upon these foundations for their own lives.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
1. Ethics. This course fulfills the ethics requirement of the College of Mount St. Joseph core curriculum.
As such, students will learn and apply basic ethical principles of the Judeo-Christian tradition as they
relate to business and economics. These principles include human dignity, justice, and living as
individual-within-community. This course is also interdisciplinary in that it draws upon the disciplines
of philosophy and theology and their application to the study of business ethics. Students will learn to
recognize the general relationship between moral philosophy and moral theology as they relate to
business ethics. Students will also draw from their own backgrounds and dialogue with the material
presented in order to inform their decision-making processes concerning specific business ethics
issues. Measurement: interactive lecture, tests, critical insight papers.
2. Critical thinking. Students will be empowered to critically evaluate philosophical and theological
positions concerning specific business ethics issues. Measurement: In-class discussion, critical insight
papers.
3. Global citizenship. After critically examining these moral foundations and responses, students will be
challenged to formulate and defend their own philosophical and/or theological responses to various
business ethics issues. In doing so, they will also explore how present-day socio-cultural attitudes and
norms influence society’s behavior in the business world. Students will be challenged to construct an
ethical framework for themselves that will act as a guide for them to live as a responsible, moral
citizen in their business lives. Measurement: In-class discussion, critical insight papers, the Last
Judgment.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
An Introduction to Business Ethics, 4th edition, Joseph DesJardins (New York: McGraw Hill, 2010).
Selected chapters from Catholic Ethics in Today’s World, revised edition, Jozef Zalot & Benedict Guevin
(Winona, MN: Anselm Academic, 2011).
1. “Foundations of Christian Morality”
2. “Catholic Social Teaching: An Introduction”
3. “Business Ethics and the American Corporation”
Selections from Business Ethics, 6th edition, Richard DeGeorge (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2006).
1. “Ethics and Business”
2. “Corporate Governance, Accounting, [and] Disclosure”
3. “Ethical Investing”
Various case studies and other supplemental readings are available on reserve in the library or on
Blackboard. See the syllabus for case study and reading assignments on specific days.
GENERAL CLASS POLICIES:
1. The student is primarily responsible for his/her own learning. The instructor holds himself responsible
for promoting questioning and discussion, for providing resources, information, and guidance for
study, and for learning with and from students.
2. Class format will include interactive lecture and seminar-style discussion. The instructor expects that
students will be prepared by having completed assigned readings and case study projects.
3. Review questions for the reading assignments from An Introduction to Business Ethics are available on
Blackboard. Review questions for all the other course readings can be found at the end of the readings
themselves. None of the review questions need to be turned in, however I strongly encourage you to
complete them as they will 1) focus your reading, and 2) also act as the basis for test questions.
4. Consistent attendance, preparation, and participation for all classes is required as they are each crucial in
order to meet the essential outcome of the course. As this is an accelerated course, attendance at all
class sessions is required. One exception may be made in extreme circumstances at the discretion of the
instructor; however, the instructor must be notified of the need to be absent prior to the beginning of the
class session. If you miss more than one class session for any reason, you will receive a grade of FA
(failure due to attendance) for the course. It is the responsibility of a student who is absent from class
to 1) make up any missed tests before the next class meeting, and 2) obtain class notes and/or
assignments. Students are expected to arrive on time and remain for the entire class session.
5. Any student experiencing difficulties with the course is encouraged to discuss them with the instructor
as soon as they arise.
GRADING:
1. The semester grade results from total number of points earned divided by total number of points possible;
for example, a student who earns 400 points of a possible 450 would earn a percentage of .88, or B.
Percentages determine letter grade as follows:
91-100 = A
81-90 = B
71-80 = C
65-70 = D
0-64 = F
In the case of a “borderline” grade (percentage of a point), consistency of preparation, participation,
and promptness will be determining factors. There is NO extra credit.
2. Tests are worth 50 points. We will have a test at the beginning of each class day covering the readings and
lecture material from the previous week. For example, the test on Week 2 will cover the material from
Week 1. The test on Week 3 will cover the material from Week 2, etc. By the end of the course we will
have had six tests worth a total of 300 points.
3. Pre-Assignment (50 points). The Pre-Assignment essay is listed on the “Course Plan” (below) under Week
1. It is due on the first day of class.
4. Critical Insight Papers (100 points each)
These papers are your opportunity to critically evaluate particular issues related to our Business
Ethics course. A comprehensive explanation of the assignments is available on Blackboard, and I
will speak more about the assignments as we move through the course.
5. In-class participation is 15% of your final grade so it is important that you participate in the interactive
lectures and class discussions. Lack of participation will negatively affect your final grade.
6. Plagiarism (presenting another person’s work or ideas as one’s own) or academic dishonesty in any form is
a serious offense and will result in either a zero for the given assignment or a failing grade for the course.
COURSE PLAN: (subject to revision as needed)
Week 1: “Morality and Ethics” and “Why Study Ethics?”
Read: 1) “Foundations of Christian Morality”
2) An Introduction to Business Ethics, 1-11
3) “Creating Ethical Businesses Requires More than Legislation”
In class:
1. Introduction to course
2. Lecture/discussion on “Morality and Ethics: An Introduction”
Pre-assignment Essay (50 points): Many people will claim that the term “business ethics” is an oxymoron (a
figure of speech that produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory, effect as in “cruel kindness” or
“to make haste slowly”). Evaluate this claim. Are the terms “ethics” and “business” mutually exclusive, or
is it possible to act ethically and still be successful in business? (2-3 pages)
Week 2: “Ethical Theory and Business” and “Corporate Social Responsibility”
Read: 1) An Introduction to Business Ethics, 21-22 and 29-46
2) An Introduction to Business Ethics, 49-61 and 66-77
3) Optional reading: “Rethinking the Social Responsibility of Business: A Debate”
In class lecture/discussion:
1. “Ethical Theories
2. Economic Justice for All, Chapter 1
Week 3: Catholic Social Teaching and Business Ethics
Read: 1. “Catholic Social Teaching: An Introduction”
2. “Business Ethics and the American Corporation”
3. Optional reading: “God and Business”
4. Optional reading: “Fat Wallets, Empty Lives”
In class lecture/discussion:
1. Complete Economic Justice for All notes from Week 2
2. Discuss “Business Ethics and the American Corporation”
3. “Biblical Principles Important for Economic Theory and Practice”
Critical Insight Paper #1 due Next Week. In this 3-4 page paper, I would like you to evaluate Catholic
Social Teaching as it relates to the study of business ethics. Choose one of the following questions:
1. Evaluate a company you have worked for as to how it upholds or disregards the principles of Catholic
Social Teaching. What was the effect of upholding or disregarding these principles on this particular
work environment?
2. Evaluate the claim that theology, spirituality, and/or religious beliefs play a role in the business world. Do
you agree or disagree, and why? Also, how does your own faith play a role in your business dealings?
Week 4: Corporate Governance, Accounting, and Disclosure
Read: 1) An Introduction to Business Ethics, 148-153
2) “Ethics and Business” and “Corporate Governance”
3) Optional reading: The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, Michael Lewis (NY: Norton, 2010)
Optional Assignment:
Watch Frontline’s “Inside the Meltdown” and “The Warning,” available at pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/
In class lecture/discussion:
1. “Subprime Mortgages and Mortgage Backed Securities”
2. Video: “Inside the Collapse” Part 1 (from 60 Minutes)
3. “Credit Default Swaps/OTC Derivatives”
Critical Insight Paper #1 due
Week 5: “Socially Responsible Investing” and “The Meaning and Value of Work”
Read: 1) “Ethical Investing,” 265-273
2) An Introduction to Business Ethics, 99-118
3) Optional reading: Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines, US Conference of Catholic Bishops
4) Optional reading: “Socially Responsible Investing has Morphed into a $2 Trillion Mainstream
Industry”
In-class lecture/discussion:
1. Socially Responsible Investing
2. “Just Wages and Job Satisfaction”
3. “Whistleblowing”
Week 6: Marketing Ethics: “Product Safety and Pricing” and “Advertising and Product Marketing”
Read: 1) An Introduction to Business Ethics, 177-196
2) An Introduction to Business Ethics, 198-217
3) Optional reading: “Ethics in Advertising,” Pontifical Council for Social Communications
In class lecture/discussion:
1. “Product Safety”
2. “Advertising Ethics”
Week 7: International Business and Globalization
Read: An Introduction to Business Ethics, 268-287
In-class lecture/discussion
1. “International Business: Ethical Guidelines for Multinational Operations”
2. Johnson & Johnson Credo (on Blackboard)
3. MBA Oath
Critical Insight Paper #2, due one week after the last class meeting.
In this paper 5 page paper, I would like you evaluate the moral principles or insights concerning ethical
business activity expressed in the course lectures and readings by examining one of the following case studies.
 “H.B. Fuller in Honduras: Street Children and Substance Abuse.” See also “H.B. Fuller and the Street
Children of Central America” (Product Safety)
 “Ice-T, the Body Count Album, and Shareholder Uprisings” (Ethical Duties of Executives)
 “Joe Camel: The Cartoon Character Who Sold Cigarettes and Nearly Felled an Industry.” See also
“Tobacco Under Fire: Advertising a Harmful Product” (Advertising Ethics)
 “Kraft Foods: The Cost of Advertising on Children’s Waistlines” (Advertising Ethics)
 “Nestle’s Infant Formula: Pushing an Unsafe Product in Third World Nations” (International Business)
 “Union Carbide’s Bhopal Catastrophe” (International Business)
Paper #2 should follow this format:
1. Introduction: Briefly summarize the case study you have chosen and clearly express your thesis
statement (the position you will be arguing).
2. One to two paragraphs that identify the moral principles (including Catholic Social Teaching) or
moral insights expressed in the class readings and lectures that are relevant to the case you have
chosen. Here I want to make sure you clearly understand what the moral principles/insights are.
3. In the remainder of the paper, critically evaluate the actions of the company in question in light of
the moral principles and insights you have identified. In offering this evaluation, (a) make sure that
you accurately portray the principles and insights you use, and (b) offer appropriate justification for
the position you argue.