MANA 4340: Business and Society
University of Texas At Arlington
T-Th 7:00-8:20
Dr. Michael McDowellSpring 2008
UTASF119
Course Description: The importance of business ethics is demonstrated in the news on any given week. From employee relations and labor negotiations to company disclosures and internal practices, businesses struggle to be productive and attract investors, employees, and customers. In this course, we will work on developing practical tools with which people can effectively and ethically deal with day to day business. The textbook sections cover (1) basic ethical theory including the role of ethics in successful business practices, (2) ethics of free markets and pricing practices, (3) the impact of the customer and the environment on business decisions, and (4) employee relations. Each chapter contains instructions on applicable ethical theory and appropriate case studies that provide the student with an opportunity to practice adapting theory to real life situations.
Course Learning Goals/Objectives: After careful course study and participation the student should be equipped with the tools necessary for making critical decisions, interpreting and implementing policies, and integrating one’s ethical view(s) into one’s business practices.
Course Methodology: Reading, review, discussion, testing, and case studies will be used to reinforce and evaluate the student’s progress and grasp of the material.
Texts: Required text: Manuel G. Velasquez, Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases, 6th edition (Prentice Hall, 2005).
Attendance, Drops, & Participation: Class participation is greatly encouraged & rewarded. There are a maximum of 15 class participation points available for each student and will count for 15% of your grade. Participation points will be awarded to the student who arrives for classdaily: on time, prepared for lecture, and ready to discuss and answer questions about any of the assignments due on that day. This means that readings are completed and any additional take home assignments are completed. If the student is consistently unprepared, tardy, absent, etc., the professor will appropriately grade the student down. The last day to drop this course is March 28.
Exams: There will be three (3) exams: each exam will cover the assigned text book and lecture materials. The exams will include matching, multiple choice, short answer, and case studies. You have two (2) class periods from the day of the exam to complete the makeup. These will make up 60% of your grade.
Case Studies: Each student will complete three formal written case studies for submission and four in-class case studies. If the student is absent on the day of an in-class case study he/she may complete a written submission of that case study. Late work will be accepted at a reduction of one letter grade per class period. These will make up 25% of your grade.
Miscellaneous Information: In addition to regular and punctual class attendance, students need to come to class and remain in class until the class is dismissed. If a student is unable to comply with this, then the student should drop the class. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any handouts from the instructor for work missed and class notes from another student in the class. The instructor will not lend his notes. Each student is expected to devote at least six hours per week in preparation for class. Attendance, reading of texts, completing assignments, and class participation are essential. Please remember to turn off and put away beepers and cell phones before the classbegins. Thank you for your courtesy to the instructor and to the rest of the class.
Final Review Week: A period of five class days prior to the first day of final examinations in the long sessions shall be designated as Final Review Week. The purpose of this week is to allow students sufficient time to prepare for final examinations. During this week, there shall be no scheduled activities such as required field trips or performances; and no instructor shall assign any themes, research problems or exercises of similar scope that have a completion date during or following this week unless specified in the class syllabi. During Final Review Week, an instructor shall not give any examinations constituting 10% or more of the final grade, except makeup tests and laboratory examinations. In addition, no instructor shall give any portion of the final examination during Final Review Week.
Americans With Disabilities Act: The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112 -- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans With Disabilities Act - (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens. As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodation" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels.
Academic Dishonesty: It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts" (Regents Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22).
Student Support Services Available: The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. These programs include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.
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Grades: The following is how your grade will be computed.
Letter Grade Break DownGrade Make Up
A 90% and upExam Average 60%
B80-89%Case Studies 25%
C70-79%Participation 15%
D60-69%
F59% and below
Class Schedule
DateTopic(s)Required Reading Due
Jan. 15Introductory Material (Start the “The Smartest Guys in the Room”)...... N/A
Jan. 17“The Smartest Guys in the Room”
Jan. 22Chapter One –Understanding Morality...... 1.0 – 1.2
Jan. 24Morality’s Impact in Business...... 1.3 – 1.4
Jan. 29Cases for Discussion
Jan. 31Chapter Two: –Fair Play...... 2.1 – 2.3
Feb. 5Integrating Ethics and Praxis...... 2.4 – 2.7
Feb. 7Cases for Discussion
Feb. 12Exam #1 – Chapters 1 & 2
Feb. 14“Tax Me If You Can”
Feb. 19Chapter Three –Approaches to Business Systems...... 3.0 – 3.2
Feb. 21Criticisms...... 3.3 – 3.5
Feb. 26Cases for Discussion
Feb. 28 Chapter Four: –Understanding Competition...... 4.0 – 4.2
March 4Modified Competition Models...... 4.3 – 4.4
March 6Cases for Discussion
March 11Exam #2 – Chapters 3 & 4
March 13“Bigger than Enron”
March 18Spring Break
March 20Spring Break
March 25Chapter Five –Business and the World...... 5.0 – 5.1
March 27Pollution Control & Conservation...... 5.2 – 5.3
April 1Cases for Discussion
April 3“Wall Street Fix”
April 8 Chapter Six –Marketing & Duties...... 6.0 – 6.3
April 10Marketing & Care/Consumerism...... 6.4 – 6.6
April 15Cases for Discussion
April 17“Dot.Con”
April 22Chapter Seven –Job Discrimination...... 7.0 – 7.2
April 24Affirmative Action/Inaction...... 7.3 – 7.4
April 29Discrimination (continued)
May 1Cases for Discussion
May 8 Exam 3/Final Exam Chapters 5, 6, & 7 8:15-10:45pm
The instructor of this course reserves the option of making changes to the syllabus with proper notice to the students.
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