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Course Description: The Business Ethics Forum is an introductory course to achieve three objectives for every student in the College of Business Administration. The first objective is to raise the student’s awareness of the ethical implications of business activities. The second objective is to teach moral reasoning skills for their application throughout each course in the curriculum. The third objective is to acquaint the student with current corporate ethics programs.

Prerequisite: BUSI 1100

Outcomes: Upon completion of this course students should:

Understand the importance of ethics in business corporations

Be able to identify and analyze business ethical dilemmas

Learn how to apply ethical reasoning in other courses in the curriculum and in practice.

Develop analytical and critical thinking abilities, interpersonal skills, written communication skills, oral communication skills, global perspectives of present and future business enterprises, and computer research skills.

Utilitarianism Whistle Blowing

Deontology Discrimination

Virtue Ethics Environmental Ethics

Moral Relativism Business Ethics and Medicine

Corporate Ethics Programs Ethics and Advertising

International Business Ethics

Taking Sides, 5^th edition, by Newton and Ford

Publisher: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill

It is crucial that you read or prepare all the assigned material before each class, and that you are fully prepared to contribute to in-class discussions. Much of the learning that will take place will be the result of interactions with your colleagues as each of you adds your own insight and perspective to the discussions.

Many class sessions require you to find a current (within the last two weeks) news report of a business ethics issue and bring it with you to class. Each of you will briefly describe the issue to the class and explain why you think it is interesting or important. Suggested sources are the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, The Economist, Business Week, Fortune, etc.

The Corporate Ethics Programs Presentations will be group efforts; however, each group member will be expected to make a portion of the group’s presentation. All other work is to be prepared individually.

Class contribution* 20%

New Reports 20%

Mid-term Exam 20%

Group presentation & Report 20%

Final Exam 20%

The mid-term and final exams will consist of short case studies to which you will provide written analyses. More information on the Corporate Ethics Programs Presentations will be made available by class session 8.

Excuses for non-attendance or late assignments must be accompanied by a physician’s written medical excuse. There will be no make-up exams unless an arrangement has been made with the instructor prior to the assigned examination dates.

*Your contribution to each class discussion. Contribution is the value that you add to a discussion at the time that you speak.

Office: Room 2126

Office Hours: 3:00-5:00 Mon; 11:00-12:00 Tues

Please feel free to contact me at other times if you have any questions or issues.

Email: gsollars@pobox.com.

Office phone: 201.692.7331

Home phone; 973.283.8066

Fax: 973.283.8067