MGMT 575 BUSINESS ETHICS
Section 003 – 3 Credit Hours
Winthrop University
College of Business Administration
Summer Semester 2010
Instructor: Steve Frankforter, Ph.D., CPA
Department of Management and Marketing
Associate Professor of Management
Office: 421 Thurmond Building
Office Hours: By appointment
Phones: (W) 323-4818
(H) 802-3186 - It’s OK to call me at home.
E-Mail:
Web Page:
Course Description: Broad overview of the effects of ethics on business decision-making in an increasingly complex world. Covers methods for analyzing and applying personal values and to recognize organizational and environmental forces that influence ethical behavior.
Course Prerequisites: MGMT 321
Course Objectives: To provide students with a basis for defining, describing, discussing, thinking about, and understanding ethics in the business/management environment. Additionally, students will review and apply leadership concepts as they correspond to career development and progression.
Specific Course Objectives:
1)Understand the theoretical foundations of ethics and how they apply to business situations.
2)Analyze and propose solutions to business cases from different ethical perspectives.
3)Understand the role of ethics in the work place.
4)Practice critical and creative thinking in solving management problems.
5)Practice oral and written communication in a variety of formats.
6)Develop ethical leadership skills and the ability to be an effective participant and contributor in group discussions and problem-solving efforts.
Topics Covered/Course Content:
1)Ethical theories
2)Understanding ethical violations
3)Discrimination and ethics
4)Gender issues and ethics
5)International business ethics
6)Marketing/advertising and ethics
7)Workplace ethics
Learning Outcomes: Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in their:
1)Oral communication skills
2)Written communication skills
3)Knowledge of business ethics
Syllabus Change Policy: Keep in mind that this syllabus is subject to change. Students will be notified if changes are required to any content reflected in this syllabus.
Students with Disabilities
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact Gena Smith, Program Director, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from Services for Students with Disabilities, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.
Student Conduct Code: As noted in the Student Conduct Code: “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the Student Conduct Code Academic misconduct Policy in the Student Handbook online (
College of Business Administration Assessment Goals/Requirements for this course: The following assessments will be administered during the semester:
1)Ethics assessment
Drop Policy: Withdrawal from a course must be within the first 60% of the instructional days of the course. An automatic N is issued up to then. Afterwards, students may not withdraw from a class without documented extenuating circumstances.
Required Text: Business and Society, Buchholtz & Carroll (7th Edition), 2009.
Grading Components and Associated Weights:
Undergraduate Students:
Exams (2 @ 300 pts)600 pts
Leading an Ethics Discussion100
Assignments/Participation100
Ethics Paper200
Total 1000 pts
Graduate Students:
Exams (2 @ 300 pts)600 pts
Service Project Presentation100
Assignments/Participation100
Service Project Paper200
Total 1000 pts
Course Policies
1)Plagiarism, cheating, or any other form of academic dishonesty will result in a course grade
of F regardless of any other performance considerations.
2)Final grades will be determined on the following basis*:
A+ =over 949 pts
A =920 – 949
A- =900 – 919
B+ = 867 – 899
B = 834 – 866
B- = 800 – 833
C+ =767 – 799
C =734 – 766
C- =700 – 733
D+ =667 – 699
D =634 – 666
D- =600 – 633
F = 599 and below
* Note: Graduate students are not graded on a +/- basis.
3)Makeup exams will not be given except where:
a. The student has secured permission from the instructor in advance.
b. The student has a written medical excuse from a doctor.
In all other instances, a grade of zero will be recorded.
4)ATTENDANCE: Attendance is essential but in and of itself insufficient for high performance in this course. The attendance policy for MGMT 575 is consistent with the university policy as stated in the student handbook, but active attendance is integral to your successful completion of course requirements.
5)EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
- Students are expected to be on-time for class and should turn off cell phones before class begins.
- Students are expected to recall concepts from prerequisite courses so that instruction will be conducted at the appropriate level.
Explanation of Grading Components:
1)Exams. The exams will consist of essay and multiple-choice questions.
2)Leaning an Ethics Discussion. Each student will decide on an ethical topic and lead an in-class discussion. The duration should be about 15-25 minutes. If a student fails to attend class (without advance permission) when his/her group is assigned to present, he/she will receive a grade of 0 for the presentation. The student will prepare and distribute an outline of the material to be covered and will be expected to moderate a discussion. It is expected that the following items ought to be covered:
a)An overview and an explanation of why the topic is important.
b)Coverage of environmental, social, political, etc. factors that ought to be taken into account in evaluating the topic.
c)Arguments for resolving the issues the topic brings forth. Also cover the jurisdiction and scope of the parties that would be involved.
d)Arguments for not resolving the issues the topic brings forth.
e)With the assistance of the class, form an option and an action plan (if any) for resolving the ethical issues involved with the topic.
3)Assignments and Participation. Several course-related case assignments will be made throughout the semester and are intended to be preparation for class discussion. These case assignments listed in the syllabus. Assignments are due immediately after the case has been discussed and must be typed. In the event a student is absent on the day an assignment is due, assignments can be mailed or sent via e-mail, and will be considered on-time if the postmark/e-mail is on or before the date due. Late case assignments will be accepted up to one week late, but will receive lower grades (1/2 maximum credit). Assignments more than one week late will not be accepted.
Verbal participation is graded in order to encourage you to share your knowledge with the class, to facilitate your own involvement in the education process, to stimulate the interest of yourself as well as others in the class, and to allow me an opportunity to assess your understanding of course materials. Participation will be of maximal importance when we cover assignments in class. Not only must you have read the assignments in preparation for class, but you are also charged with the responsibility of formulating your own opinions regarding the assignment. This is to ensure that you will have something meaningful to contribute to the class discussion. Class attendance will also be taken into account when determining credit for participation. Obviously, you do not participate when you do not attend class.
4)Ethics Paper. Each individual will prepare and submit an ethics paper covering the topic he/she facilitated in class. The topical format is the same as that which is used for the ethics discussion. The paper is due on Tuesday8/3 and may include ideas generated from the earlier in-class discussion of the topic. The approximate length of the paper is 5-10 pages. MLA formatting is required.
5)Service Project (Graduate Students only). As a 500-level course, graduate students must have additional requirements to complete this class. Graduate students will form groups of approximately four and will provide assistance to community-based groups that the professor has previously screened and approved. They will make a presentation and submit a written report on Tuesday August 3rd.
COURSE SCHEDULE – Revised 6/14/10
DATE TOPICS
T6/8Class Introduction & Orientation
T6/15Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4
T6/22Chapters 6, 7, & 8
T6/29Exam 1 (Ch1-8)
T7/6Chapters 9, 10, 11, & 12
T7/13Chapters 13, 14, & 15
T7/20Chapters 17, 18, & 19
T7/27Exam 2 (Ch10-19)
T8/3Service Project Presentations
Papers Due
1