WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
PROPOSAL FOR UNIVERSITY STUDIES COURSES
Department ______Philosophy______Date ___Sept. 27, 2010_____
______PHIL 231______Business Ethics ______3__
Course No.Course NameCredits
This proposal is for a(n)______Undergraduate Course
Applies to:______Major___X__ Minor
_____ Required_____ Required
_____ Elective__X_ Elective
University Studies (A course may be approved to satisfy only one set of outcomes.):
Course Requirements:
Basic Skills:Arts & Science Core:Unity and Diversity:
_____ 1. College Reading and Writing___X_ 1. Humanities_____ 1. Critical Analysis
_____ 2. Oral Communication_____ 2. Natural Science _____ 2. Science and Social Policy
_____ 3. Mathematics_____ 3. Social Science_____ 3. a. Global Perspectives
_____ 4. Physical Development & Wellness_____ 4. Fine & Performing Arts_____ b. Multicultural Perspectives
_____ 4. a. Contemporary Citizenship
_____ b. Democratic Institutions
Flagged Courses:_____ 1. Writing
_____ 2. Oral Communication
_____ 3. a. Mathematics/Statistics
_____ b. Critical Analysis
Prerequisites ______None______
Provide the following information (attach materials to this proposal):
Please see “Directions for the Department” on previous page for material to be submitted.
Attach a University Studies Approval Form.
Department Contact Person for this Proposal:
______Kevin ______
Name (please print)Phonee-mail address
[Revised 9-05]
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY STUDIES APPROVAL FORM
Routing form for University Studies Course approval. Course_ PHIL 231 Business Ethics
Department Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved______
Department Chair Datee-mail address
Dean’s Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved*
______
Dean of College Date
*In the case of a dean’s recommendation to disapprove a proposal, a written rationale for the recommendation to disapprove shall be provided to the University Studies Subcommittee.
USS Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved_____ No recommendation
______
University Studies Director Date
A2C2 Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved
______
Chair of A2C2 Date
Faculty Senate Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved
______
President of Faculty Senate Date
Academic Vice President Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved
______
Academic Vice President Date
Decision of President_____ Approved_____ Disapproved
______
President Date
Please forward to Registrar.
Registrar ______Please notify department chair via e-mail that curricular change has been recorded.
Date entered
[Revised 9-05]]
University Studies Course Approval:
Department Program: Philosophy Department
Course Number: 231
Number of Credits: 3
Course Title: Business Ethics
Catalog Description:
PHIL 231 - Moral Theory - 3 S.H. An introduction to ethical theory and reasoning and their application to business decisions. Topics addressed are economic justice and the rights and obligations of employers, employees, and consumers. Issues include product liability, privacy, exploitation, and obligations to future generations and the environment. Offered each year.
This is a new course that is also being proposed for approval by A2C2.
Department Contact Person for this course: Kevin Possin
Email:
Arts & Sciences Core—Humanities
BUSINESS ETHICS
PHIL 231
University Studies—Humanities
The purpose of the humanities requirements in the University Studies program is to provide a framework for understanding the nature and scope of human experience. Humanities courses explore the search for meaning and value in human life by examining its expression in cultural forms and texts, literature and the arts.
Business Ethics will study and critically review the ethics of economic relations among people and the fundamental moral justification (or lack thereof) for our economic and political policies.
a. identify and understand specific elements and assumptions of a particular Humanities discipline:
The main purpose of this course is to critically study the moral reasoning, theories, concerns, and assumptions involved in our economic exchanges—an application of moral philosophy,which is a traditional discipline in the humanities. Our goal is to determine what ethical rights and responsibilities we have toward each other and towards the environment in the course of our business transactions.
In the process, fundamental ethical issues are examined, such as the right to private property, the difference between positive and negative rights, distributive justice, and various ethical theories.
b. understand how historical context, cultural values, and gender influence perceptions and interpretations:
Moral relativism and multicultural differences in business practices are critically discussed. The issue of gender and its impact on hiring practices are also discussed.
c. understand the role of critical analysis (e.g., aesthetic, historical, literary, philosophical, rhetorical) in interpreting and evaluating expressions of human experience:
The primary focus of this course is on the critical analysis of moral reasoning (or the lack thereof) in business decision making, and the effects of those decisions on people, the State, and the environment, both locally and globally.
BUSINESS ETHICS
PHIL 231
Curriculum, Outcomes, Policies, and Requirements
University Studies—Humanities
Course Syllabus
Prof.
Office: Minné Hall
Phone: 457-XXXX
This course may be taken as a University Studies course under the category of Humanities.
Course requirements: The chosen requirements and means of evaluation for the course are at the discretion of the instructor, but they would most likely be among the following: exams, homework, papers, take-home exams, critical reviews, presentations.
Course Materials: An anthology, of introductory articles and excerpts, from among those appearing in the Reference List below, e.g., Ethics and the Conduct of Business or Moral Issues in Business. A collection of cases for discussion, e.g., Case Studies in Business, Society, and Ethics. Timely articles from various news sources, on immediately current issues. Thomas Friedman’s Hot, Flat, and Crowded.
The means of evaluation: Those listed above would be the primary means of assessing learning in this course. As with all courses in the Philosophy Department, the Departmental Outcomes Assessment Survey would also be used.
Schedule of Topics:
1. Ethical theories
A. Relativism
B. Utilitarianism
C. Kantian
D. Virtue
2. Distributive justice
A. Material Theories of Justice
1. Personhood
2. Needs
3. Contribution
4. Merit
5. Fairness
B. Libertarianism
C. Negative & Positive Rights
D. Capitalism v. Socialism
E. Private Property
F. The Lockian Proviso
3. Rights and Duties
A. Business to Business
1. Price fixing
2. Corporate espionage
3. Patents
4. Mergers & acquisitions
B. Business to Employee
1. Worker safety
2. Privacy
3. Hiring/firing practices
4. Whistle-blowing
5. Exploitation
C. Business to Consumer
1. Truth in advertising
2. Product Liability
D. Business to the State
1. Regulations
2. Accounting practices
3. Disclosure
4. Insider trading
5. Political influence
E. Business to the Environment
1. Sustainability
2. Pollution
3. Obligations to future generations
Statement on University Studies Courses:
All course activities and assignments simultaneously address all University Studies required course outcomes in Business Ethics 231, by assessing your understanding and appreciation of following goals, topics, and issues:
The purpose of the humanities requirements in the University Studies program is to provide a framework for understanding the nature and scope of human experience. Humanities courses explore the search for meaning and value in human life by examining its expression in cultural forms and texts, literature and the arts.
Business Ethics will study and critically review the ethics of economic relations among people and the fundamental moral justification (or lack thereof) for our economic and political policies.
a. identify and understand specific elements and assumptions of a particular Humanities discipline:
The main purpose of this course is to critically study the moral reasoning, theories, concerns, and assumptions involved in our economic exchanges—an application of moral philosophy,which is a traditional discipline in the humanities. Our goal is to determine what ethical rights and responsibilities we have toward each other and towards the environment in the course of our business transactions.
In the process, fundamental ethical issues are examined, such as the right to private property, the difference between positive and negative rights, distributive justice, and various ethical theories.
b. understand how historical context, cultural values, and gender influence perceptions and interpretations:
Moral relativism and multicultural differences in business practices are critically discussed. The issue of gender and its impact on hiring practices are also discussed.
c. understand the role of critical analysis (e.g., aesthetic, historical, literary, philosophical, rhetorical) in interpreting and evaluating expressions of human experience:
The primary focus of this course is on the critical analysis of moral reasoning (or the lack thereof) in business decision making, and the effects of those decisions on people, the State, and the environment, both locally and globally.
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