Catalogue Description:

The course’s main objective is to provide business managers with an ethical basis for making business decisions. In order to achieve this objective, the course will begin by exploring the complex nature of the interrelationships between business, government, and society. Next, we will examine the meaning of corporate social responsibility and the concerns of various stakeholders including those outside the business environment. Throughout the course, we will use assigned readings, case analysis and class discussion to explore the ethical issues that arise in business and to develop a foundation for responding to ethical dilemmas in a responsible manner. Student must have graduate standing to register for this course.

Learning Objectives:

Graduates of the Masters of Business Administration program will possess the skills to effectively recognize, analyze, and develop solutions to ethical dilemmas in the professional environment. After completion of this course the student should be able to:

* Identify and examine ethical dilemmas in a scholarly manner. * Identify and consider stakeholders, reflecting on the viewpoints of others. * Analyze alternatives and consequences, stating the approach used. * Compare and evaluate arguments for each alternative offered. * Recommend solutions to the dilemma, identify risks, and develop a workable implementation plan.

Required Text:

Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk About How To Do It Right (5th ed.). Linda K. Trevino & Katherine Nelson. 2011. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-0-470-34394-4.

The Ethics of Management (7th ed.). La Rue Tone Hosmer. 2011. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. ISBN: 9780073530543.

American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. (Students should have acquired this book in their first term).

Assignments:

Discussion Forums: 240 points
Discussion and analysis of relevant topics will form the foundation of the course. Active participation in the online Blackboard discussions is an important supplement to in-class sessions and will be graded according to quality of input and level of participation. Students will be required to log onto Blackboard at least four times a week to check for announcements, assignments, and dialogue with teammates. Movie Review: 150 points
Students will choose a movie from a list offered by the instructor. After viewing the movie, write a paper discussing the ethical issues in the film, the different ethical perspectives that are utilized by the characters in their decision-making, and an assessment of how business is portrayed in the film. After analyzing the handling of the ethical dilemmas in the film, provide recommendations on how they could have been better solved. Support and defend your recommendations using sound logic and theory. Be prepared to share your findings in class.

Ethical Interview: 160 points
Students will select someone whom they respect and admire to interview, someone with high personal standards. The interview should be approximately 15 – 30 minutes in length.

Ask the following questions or questions you select for the interview: * How important do you think integrity is on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being not important; 10 being vital)? Why? * Who had the most important influence on the formation of your ethical character? * Describe a situation that you feel really tested your integrity. What are you glad you did? Is there anything you wish you had done differently? * In your experience, what factors can make it difficult for people to make ethical decisions? * How important do you think it is for someone to be vocal or open about his or her personal standards?
Write a 4-5 page paper about the interview incorporating relating the information from the interview to the reading