NorthSouthUniversity
School of Business-Summer-2009
BUS 401: BUSINESS ETHICS Semester: Summer 2009
Lecturer: Barrister A.M. Masum Mobile : 01552632768
E-mail : masum@northsouth.edu; nomaer@hotmail.com
Office: 754
Class schedule:
Section-06 MW 2:40 P.M – 4:10 P.M (Room: NAC 209)
Office hours: MW Anytime
Brief Outline of this Course:
Business Ethics lies at the very heart of commerce in any developed society. This course is designed to provide you with a thorough knowledge of ethical issues in the context of business ethics, consumer ethics and corporate social responsibility. With this in mind, you will be required to study different business situations, activities, and decisions where issues of right and wrong are addressed.
Philosophy & Expectations:
Business Ethics is an exciting and dynamic area, and it is hoped you will find this course stimulating and rewarding. In order to facilitate this, we will maintain an open classroom environment ? you are strongly encouraged to participate in discussions and to share interesting examples of advertising and marketing campaigns in relation to business ethics. It is recommended that you keep up?to?date with relevant newspapers and magazines and watch, with a critical eye, the marketing and advertising campaigns in the area.
Course requirement:
- The students will be given class assignments.
- Students are expected to be punctual.
- Regular attendance & class participation will carry points.
Assessment:
| Mid-Exam ( 15th July) | 20% |
| Final-Exam (17th August) | 30% |
| Assignment 1 (6th July–by 2:p.m at my Office) | 15% |
| Assignment 2 (5th August -by 2:p.m at my Office) | 15% |
| Declared Exam | 10% |
| Attendance, Participation and Surprise Quizzes | 10% |
Assignment 1: How far the recent NSU students’ unrest is ethical?
Weighting: 15%
Length: 1500 words
Submitting Date: 6th July–by 2:p.m at my Office (No extension will take place)
Assignment 2: Will be notified on time.
Weighting: 15%
Length: 2500 words
Submitting Date: 5th August -by 2:p.m at my Office (No extension will take place)
Assignment 1 & 2:
Your answer should:
ü Identify the relevant ethical issues
ü Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant facts
ü Show sound application of relevant ethical principles and suggest solutions
ü Demonstrate independent research
ü Be clearly expressed and presented
ü include a bibliography
ü Your answer should be word processed and MUST NOT EXCEED word limit
Examination 1 & 2:
The examination will cover all aspects of the course outline and each will last for one hour thirty minutes.
You must answer all the questions required and follow the instructions laid down in each of the questions.
Assessment Criteria:
Your answers should:
ü Identify the relevant ethical areas
ü Discern relevant data
ü Show ability to apply relevant ethical principles and suggest solutions
ü Demonstrate sufficient preparation
ü Be clearly expressed
ü Be well time- managed
Grading Scale:
Latter grading will be assigned according to the following rules on the total points earned at the end of the semester.
| score | grade | Grade point |
| Above 93 | A | 4 |
| 90-92 | -A | 3.7 |
| 87-89 | B+ | 3.3 |
| 83-86 | B | 3 |
| 80-82 | B- | 2.7 |
| 77-79 | C+ | 2.3 |
| 76-78 | C | 2 |
| 70-75 | C- | 1.7 |
| 67-69 | D+ | 1.3 |
| 60-66 | D | 1 |
| Below 60 | F | 0 |
SYLLABUS
| LECTURE | TOPIC |
| 2 | IntroductionWhat is Business Ethics
Defining morality Ethics and ethical theory Globalization. Sustainability. |
| 8 | What is corporation, Corporate social responsibility, Stakeholder theory of the firm, Corporate accountability: the firm as a political actor Corporate Citizenship. |
| 2 | The role of ethical theoryNormative ethical theories, traditional ethical theories, contemporary ethical theories. |
| 1 | Models of ethical decision-making Individual Influences on ethical decision-making
Situational influences on decision making |
| 6 | What is business ethics managementSetting standards of ethical behavior
Managing stakeholder relationship Assessing ethical performance Organizing for business ethics management |
| 2 | Reassessing the importance of shareholders as stakeholdersEthical issues in corporate governance
Shareholders and globalization Shareholders as citizens of the corporation
|
| 3 | Ethical Issues in the firmEmploying people worldwide
The corporate citizen and employee relations in a varied European context towards sustainable employment |
| Consumers and Business ethicsEthical issues and the consumers
Globalization and the consumers Consumers and corporate citizenship Sustainable consumption |
Learning Resources:
Materials to be provided: Articles, extracts.
Other Essential Texts:
You will be expected to buy a text book. You may choose from:
- Business Ethics: A European Perspective Crane, A. and Matten,
- The Ethical Manager: Ronald M. Green
- Perspectives in Business Ethics: Laura Hartman-McGraw-Hill Irwin
Other Learning Resources:
Access to Library, including:
1. Statutes
2. Journals
This is one of the Foundations required by the Business arena and in order to gain a qualifying business degree. There is a great deal of material to be covered, in some depth. These materials are designed to give you a solid foundation but you MUST do extra work. You will be given work to do for each class; you should read the materials set out for each topic in advance of the class.
This subject is a difficult one so quite a lot is expected of you in terms of depth of knowledge and in analytical skills.
Note:
- There will be no make-up exam/quiz in this course.
- Grades will be assigned on the basis of NSU grading policy.
- Cell phone must be switched of during classes and exams.
- Any kinds of cheating or plagiarism in any of the exams or assignments will lead to an F grade.
Incomplete (I) will be given in the case where the student missed the exam due to any unavoidable circumstances but s/he need to inform the instructor before submitting the grade.
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