Idea Transcript
Rutgers University Fall 2012
The syllabi listed here are from the last term during FALL 2012 which the course was taught and are posted only as a guide to some of the typical topics the course may Prof. Mark Colby cover. Please note that the readings and materials may Philosophy 251 change from term to term. An updated syllabus for the course for the coming semester will be posted closer to the start of the Business semester. Ethics
Course Description This course introduces business ethics. We will explore how the basic concepts, theories, methods, and principles of the Western tradition of philosophical inquiry into ethical issues can be applied to the contemporary world of advanced capitalism. Among the ethical issues to be covered are the morality of capitalism, fairness and economic justice, the social responsibility of businesses, the ethics of advertising, and the future of capitalism. The readings explore a spectrum of opinions about each of these issues. Text Honest Work, 2nd edition, ed. by Joanne Ciulla, Clancy Martin, and Robert Solomon (NY: Oxford University Press, 2011). Course Requirements (1) Closed-book midterm and final exams are each worth 45% of the course grade, (2) class participation is worth 10% of the final grade. Students are expected to attend all classes; if you miss a class, you are required to use the University absence reporting website at https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/ to indicate the date and reason for your absence. (An e-mail is automatically sent to me, so you do not need to notify me.) If you miss more than three classes without documentation, your course grade will be reduced. Always bring the text to class. Do not repeatedly come late to class, leave early, or talk to each other during class. Turn all cell phones and beepers off. No text messaging is allowed. No solid food is allowed. Course Prerequisites None. One introductory course in moral philosophy or ethics would be very helpful. Office Hours By appointment on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30-9 a.m. or Tuesdays after 1:55 p.m., in the student center cafeteria on Douglass. You are encouraged to speak with me about any aspect of this course in particular or philosophy in general. My e-mail address is mcolby@ rutgers.edu. Jean Urteil is the philosophy department’s undergraduate secretary; the department’s phone number is 732-932-9861. Date and Reading Assignment 9/4
Introduction: philosophical inquiry into ethical issues of business under contemporary capitalism
9/7
Ch. 1: Everyday Ethics at Work, pp. xvii-xxiii and 1-15
9/11
Ch. 1: Everyday Ethics at Work (continued), pp. 15-33
9/14
Ch. 3: The Good Life, pp. 72-85
9/18
Ch. 3: The Good Life (continued), pp. 86-96
9/21
Ch. 3: The Good Life (continued), pp. 97-111
Business Ethics Prof. Colby Page 2
The syllabi listed here are from the last term during which the course was taught and are posted only as a guide to some of the typical topics the course may cover. Please note that the readings and materials may change from term to term. An updated syllabus for the course for the coming semester will be posted closer to the start of the semester.
Date and Reading Assignment 9/25
Ch. 3: The Good Life (continued), final thoughts
9/28
Ch. 5: Who Gets What and Why? Fairness and Justice, pp. 162-73
10/2
Ch. 5: Who Gets What and Why? Fairness and Justice (continued), pp. 174-87
10/5
Ch. 5: Who Gets What and Why? Fairness and Justice (continued), pp. 187-201
10/9
Ch. 5: Who Gets What and Why? Fairness and Justice (continued), pp. 201-15
10/12
Ch. 5: Who Gets What and Why? Fairness and Justice (continued), final thoughts
10/16
Ch. 6: Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Theory, pp. 216-26
10/19
Ch. 6: Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Theory (continued), pp. 227-38
10/23
Ch. 6: Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Theory (continued), pp. 238-53
10/26
Midterm exam on chs. 1, 3, and 5 only
10/30
Ch. 8: The Ethics of Advertising, Marketing and Sales, pp. 289-303
11/2
Ch. 8: The Ethics of Advertising, Marketing and Sales (continued), pp. 304-16
11/6
Ch. 8: The Ethics of Advertising, Marketing and Sales (continued), pp. 316-24
11/9
Ch. 8: The Ethics of Advertising, Marketing and Sales (continued), final thoughts
11/13
Ch. 10: Whistle-Blowing, Company Loyalty, and Employee Responsibility, pp. 367-79
11/16
Ch. 10: Whistle-Blowing, Company Loyalty, and Employee Responsibility (continued), pp. 380-96
11/20
Thursday schedule; no class
11/21
Friday schedule; Ch. 11: International Business, pp. 406-23
11/27
Ch. 11: International Business (continued), pp. 423-38
11/30
Ch. 11: International Business (continued), pp. 439-54
12/4
Ch. 16: The Future of the Free Market, pp. 619-31
12/7
Ch. 16: The Future of the Free Market (continued), pp. 631-46
12/11
Ch. 16: The Future of the Free Market (continued), pp. 646-63
12/?
Final exam on chs. 6, 8, 10, 11, and 16