BUSINESS LAW I (280)



BUSINESS LAW 368: Law, Business & Ethics

Professor Williams

Fall, 2019

Office:        BB 3244

Telephone:        (818) 677-3390

E-mail:              melanie.williams@csun.edu

For email messages, type “BLAW 368” in the reference portion

It is appropriate to email me when you have questions about course material that you would like to have covered more completely in class, if you have experienced an illness or emergency that impairs you ability to participate in class, or you would like personal advice (for example, about your academic or professional career or plans). I cannot, however, give you legal advice. It is not appropriate to email me if you missed information that was covered in class, including assignments and exam information – in that case you should contact your classmate “partner.”

Office Hours:   Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. – noon; Thursdays 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.; Fridays 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. through week 5, subsequently 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. beginning week 6.

Text:                 Baird, Catharyn A. (2012). Everyday Ethics, 2nd ed. ISBN 978-0-9831106-0-6.

The text is accompanied by the online ethics game, which you must join. Instructions will be sent separately.

Additional readings or videos as assigned.

Objectives of the Course

1. To explore the predominant ethical theories which have affected business in a historical and cultural context;

2. To gain experience in the critical thinking skills required for ethical analysis and problem solving;

3. To hone analytical writing skills;

4. To begin to understand and consider ethical and policy issues which are critical for being an ethical and effective member of the business community.

General Education Requirements

LIFE LONG LEARNING OVERALL GOAL: STUDENTS WILL: develop cognitive, physical and affective skills which will allow them to become more integrated and well-rounded individuals within various physical, social, cultural, and technological environments and communities.

Life Long Learning GE SLO #1: Students will identify and actively engage in behaviors conducive to individual health, well-being, or development, and understand the value of maintaining these behaviors throughout their lifespan.

BLAW 368 helps students identify ethical issues, analyze them using models of ethical thinking, and plan behaviors consistent with ethical conduct.

Life Long Learning GE SLO #2: Students will identify and apply strategies leading to health, well-being, or development for community members of diverse populations;

BLAW 368 helps student identify courses of conduct using models of ethical analysis. Behaving ethically helps create greater health, well-being and development for students and for our larger environment.

GE Upper Division Writing Requirement:

BLAW 368 is an upper division GE course that requires completion of writing assignments totaling a minimum of 2,500 words more than 2,500 words.

Exams and Grading

In addition to the graded work in the Ethics Game, there will be a midterm and final exam. there will be a final. The final exam is cumulative and will be given on the day and at the time listed in the schedule of classes.

The grade allocation is as follows:

Ethics game, entrance papers and class participation: 30% of course grade

Midterm: 30% of course grade

Final exam: 40% of course grade

The final exam is cumulative. Plus/minus grading is used.

The Ethics Game & Text

This course will be worked based on The Ethics Game, an on-line game that presents real-life business problems and requires that students apply the concepts learned in the text. The Ethics Game has information about the assigned work and deadlines. Late assignments receive no credit.

Entrance Papers: Entrance papers are required as shown in the schedule. An entrance paper is an approximately 200 - 500 word paper which reflects on the readings. This paper is submitted on Canvas and will form the basis for class discussion. The grade will depend on evidence of having read and reflected upon the assigned material. From time to time students may be asked to reflect on current events or to find current examples of the materials covered in the text (5 points each).

Group writings: Group participation in the weekly interactive assignments. Six group assignments will be made over the course of the semester as part of the ethics simulation. One assignment will be a Leadership Profile. The remaining assignments will be ethical dilemmas from the simulation. (30 points each)

Class partner: You must make friends and share contact information with another student in the class of your choosing. You should check in with your class partner if you missed information in class and likewise be available to your partner for class information.

Assignment Details

Format: All assignments for the Ethics Game which are posted on the Ethics Game site will be graded from that site. You are not required to turn in the assignments hard copy. Entrance papers are submitted on Canvas.

Due Dates: The assignments are due as indicated on the course schedule, Canvas, and on the Ethics Game website.

Grades: Grades are determined by the percentage system listed below. Late papers are not accepted.

There may be changes to the syllabus. Please monitor class discussions and Canvas for any updates.

A 93-100%

A- 90-92%

B+ 87-89%

B 83-86%

B- 80-82%

C+ 77-79%

C 73-76%

C- 70-72%

D+ 67-69%

D 63-66%

D- 60-62%

F all remaining scores

Assignment schedule

|Date |Topic |Assignment |

|Thurs., 8/29 |Exploring ethical decision making |Read Preface and Ch. 1 |

|Mon., 9/2[1] | |Read Ch. 2; Ch. 2 entrance paper due[2] |

|Tues., 9/3 |The community and core values | |

|Wed., 9/4 | |Deadline to complete game orientation and registration |

|Thurs., 9/5 |The community and core values | |

|Sun., 9/8 | |Quarter 1 (Q1) assignment due[3]: Leadership Profile |

|Tues., 9/10 |The community and core values | |

|Wed., 9/11 | |Read Ch. 3; Ch. 3 entrance paper due |

|Thurs., 9/12 |Ethics and public policy | |

|Tues., 9/17 |Ethics and public policy | |

|Thurs., 9/19 |Ethics and public policy | |

|Sun., 9/22 | |Q 2 assignment due: Conflict of interest |

|Tues., 9/24 |Ethics and public policy | |

|Wed., 9/25 | |Read Ch. 7; Ch. 7 entrance paper due |

|Thurs., 9/26 |Rights and responsibilities | |

|Tues., 10/1 |Rights and responsibilities | |

|Thurs., 10/3 – remote |Behavior and perception |Watch Ariely, Our Buggy Moral Code (link in Canvas “Modules.” Ariely|

|class; no live class | |entrance paper due. |

|Sun., 10/6 | |Q 3 assignment due: Discrimination |

|Tues., 10/8 |“The path to maturity” |Read Ch. 6 |

|Wed., 10/9 | |Ch. 6 entrance paper due |

|Thurs., 10/10 |“The path to maturity” | |

|Mon., 10/14 | |Read Ch. 8; Ch. 8 entrance paper due |

|Tues., 10/15 |“Results” lens | |

|Thurs., 10/17 |Midterm | |

|Sun., 10/20 | |Q 4 assignment due: Employee rights |

|Tues., 10/22 |“Results” lens | |

|Thur., 10/24 |“Results” lens | |

|Mon., 10/28 | |Read Ch. 4; Ch. 4 entrance paper due |

|Tues., 10/29 |Foundations for decision-making | |

|Thurs., 10/31 |Foundations for decision-making | |

|Sun., 11/3 | |Q5 assignment due: Vendor and customer relationships |

|Mon., 11/4 | |Read Ch. 9; Ch. 9 entrance paper due |

|Tues., 11/5 |“Relationship” lens | |

|Thurs., 11/7 |“Relationship” lens | |

|Mon., 11/11 | |Read Ch. 5; Ch. 5 entrance paper due |

|Tues., 11/12 |Strategies for decision-making | |

|Thurs., 11/14 |Strategies for decision-making | |

|Sun., 11/7 | |Q6 assignment due: Corporate Social Responsibility |

|Tues., 11.19 |Strategies for decision-making | |

|Wed., 11/20 | |Read Ch. 10; Ch. 10 entrance paper due |

|Thurs., 11/21 |“Reputation” lens | |

|Tues., 11/26 |“Reputation” lens | |

|Tues., 12/3 |“Reputation” lens | |

|Wed., 12/4 | |Read Ch. 11; Ch. 11 entrance paper due |

|Thur., 12/5 |Embracing complexity | |

|Tues., 12/10 |Embracing complexity | |

| |Final exam on date and time listed in SOLAR | |

General Instructions on Taking Exams

Exams are composed of one or more essay questions in which you will apply the concepts learned to factual problems. Exams may also include short answer and/or multiple-choice questions.

• Use non-eraseable dark blue or black ink for your essays. Do not use white-out or tear pages out of your blue book.

• Bring one large bluebook. You may also be asked to bring one 882 scantron.

• Write your name on the inside back cover of the bluebook only. Do not write your name elsewhere on the bluebook. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure blind grading. Write on every line of one side of each page; however you may use the facing page to insert information. Write your name on the exam itself. When you complete the exam, place the exam and scantron (if any) inside your bluebook and turn in the whole as a package. Failure to follow all of these directions will cause a 0.1 reduction in your exam grade. Failure to return the exam itself will result in a grade of "F" for the exam and may be referred to the Dean's office for further proceedings.

• Exams are closed book. You may bring in two 8.5 x 11” pages of notes (i.e. two single-sided pages or one double-sided page). “Notes” means anything you write. Your notes may be handwritten or typed.

• Note: all cases of academic dishonesty result in a grade of "F" for the course and are referred to the Dean's office for further action.

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[1] Assignments due on non-class days are indicated in italics.

[2] Entrance papers are due uploaded to Canvas

[3] Quarter “Q” assignments are taken from the Ethics Game. The assignments and deadlines are all listed on the Ethics Game website, . All due dates for assignments are listed.

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