APHL 301-01 MINI SUMMER SESSION "Introduction to Ethics in Business: God, Rights, Happiness & Capitalism", 3 Credits

Professor Lisa Cassidy       Office Hours: before or after class, by appointment

Office: B202A       Phone: 201-684-7416       Email: lcassidy@ramapo.edu   

Website: http://phobos.ramapo.edu~lcassidy

Course Overview:

This course will be a focused introduction to business ethics.  Classic ethics concerns morality, virtue, and the good life.  Business ethics is an application of these ethics issues to the realm of commerce.  This course will explore how four philosophical topics (religion, human rights, happiness, and capitalism) impact business.  Some questions we will ask ourselves are: Does being a spiritual person mean shunning monetary success?  Why should corporations respect human rights?  Does wealth lead to happiness?  Is capitalism ethical?  In all our readings, we will focus on business ethics in a global setting.

Objectives:

This course will stimulate student reflection in philosophy by exploring classic and recent philosophical texts.  Towards that end, our objectives will be:

(1) To comprehend difficult philosophy readings.

(2) To craft original, creative philosophical positions on the formal writing and final exam

(3) To develop critical reasoning skills

(4) To enrich personal integrity 

Required Texts:

Capitalism and Freedom, Milton Friedman (Chicago)

A Global Ethic, Hans Kung (Continuum)

Culture Jam, Kalle Lasn (Quill)

One World, Peter Singer (Yale University Press)

Online readings, by various authors linked through syllabus on our website

Assignments:

Late assignments will not be accepted without severe penalty and no incompletes or make-ups will be given unless there are documented special circumstances.

(1) First 6-7 page Essay (25%)

(2) Second 6-7 page Essay (25%)

(3)  Final Exam (25%)

(4) Daily Pass/Fail Quizzes (12%)

(5) Class Participation (12%)

Please note the snow-day policy: if class is canceled due to weather, Cassidy's illness, etc. please keep reading according to the syllabus.  Please do check our website for updates.

Ÿ         Quiz Instructions:

You are expected to do all of the reading for each class session. A short answer pass/fail quiz will be given at the start of every class session, which you should be able to pass if you have done the reading and reviewed the online class notes.  Quizzes cannot be made up without documented excuse.  14 quizzes will be given.  Your total quiz grade will be calculated as follows:

If you pass,   your grade is:

12-14 =A, 10-11 =B, 8-9 =C, 7 =D, below 6 =F

Ÿ         Participation Instructions:

Since you are the best judge of how much you have contributed to the in-class environment, you will have responsibility of determining your own participation grade at the end of the semester.  Bear in mind that enriching personal integrity is an objective of this course.

Ÿ          Further Instructions on the essay assignments and final exam will be available on the website.

Course Policies:

            PLAGIARISM is to “steal or pass off the words or works of another as one’s own, using a created production without citing the source” (Webster’s Ninth Collegiate Dictionary, 1988).  This includes:

(1) cut and pasting words from a website, book, article or other source without citing that source

(2) paraphrasing words from a source without citing that source

(3) writing about ideas that are not yours originally (aside from mere ‘common knowledge’) without citing that source.  If I suspect a student has plagiarized an exam, essay, or group presentation I will alert the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  If they conclude that plagiarism has taken place, you may be subject to disciplinary action by the College, in addition to automatic failure of this course.

            STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES will be treated fairly.  Ramapo College has a long and distinguished history of supporting students with disabilities - physical, psychological, learning, etc.  The Office of Specialized Services is available for these students.  I am more than willing to accommodate students with disabilities.  However, students need to register with Specialized Services before accommodations can be made.  If you have been diagnosed with a disability or suspect you may have one, please do get in touch with Specialized Services, who will keep your information confidential, and will only apprise me to the accommodations you need.  If you have registered with Specialized Services and need accommodations, please see me.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS is attainable for everyone.  That said, this course challenges your test taking skills, writing skills, reading skills, and speaking skills.  There is help available free from the College.  The Center for Academic Success has tutors, computer labs, language help, and a writing center.  In addition, I keep regular office hours and am willing to make an appointment if you need extra help.

Reading Schedule:

Each reading is due on the day indicated.  Please bring the reading to class.  Consult online class notes for study guides.