Course Syllabus- Please Read

University of San Diego

School of Business Administration

ETLW 302

Business & Society

Sections # 3 & 4

Spring 2012

Richard E. Custin, J.D., LL.M.              email:  rcustin@sandiego.edu

Olin Hall Office 205    Office Hours- 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. MWF and as arranged

619 260-4854                                                                                                                                     

Class Blog:  http://custinusdbusinesssociety.blogspot.com/

Course Description:

This course examines principles of social responsibility, ethics, law, and stakeholder theory

as they apply to organizations domestically and abroad. Coverage includes business ethics;
individual versus societal interests; labor and employment issues; consumer protection; discrimination and diversity; the natural environment; politics, public policy, and government regulation of business. Particular attention is given to developing moral reasoning skills.
Prerequisite: MGMT 300.

Course Objectives:

Students who complete this course will be able to:

Prepare a clear, concise and well-written business memorandum

Recognize the stakeholders in various types of international and domestic organizations

Evaluate competing interests in business, government, and society

Apply ethical reasoning to problem solving in business

Demonstrate an appreciation for diversity

Assess the relationship of ethics and law

Develop an applied knowledge of public law including employment & labor law

Key topics to be covered this semester are:

      The Relationship between Business & Society

      Corporate Responsibility

      The Stakeholder Approach

      Corporate Governance

      Crisis Management

      Business Ethics

   

      Employment Law

      Labor Law

      Employment Discrimination & Affirmative Action

      Workplace Legal Issues including Privacy & Health & Safety

Required Course Materials: (should be obtained in advance of first day of class)

Cihon & Castagnera, Employment & Labor Law, 7E, South-Western (978-1-4390-3727)

Kunkel, S. (2006). The 80/20 Guide to Business Writing. Kunkel Publishing

Upton Sinclair, The Jungle (1906)

Course Requirements and Student Evaluation: 

Attendance:

We expect that students will attend all scheduled classes.  Your final cumulative point total may be reduced two percentage points for each absence.  Absences greater than 4 days will result in a failing grade.  Please do not enter the classroom late.  Tardiness may count as a class absence.  Please note:  Students in prior semesters have ignored the attendance and tardiness rule and have earned poor grades.

Participation:

Active participation is the key to success in this course.  You must bring your book to each class meeting.  No exceptions.  You must be prepared to discuss each case that is assigned for reading and study.  You are encouraged to participate in class and on the class blog. 

Caveat:

Average work in this course will result in a “C’ grade.  You must be prepared to discuss the material assigned and the cases contained within. In the event you are unprepared for any class question or case discussion your overall cumulative grade points may be reduced five points for each instance you are unprepared.  We need your active participation!   Not having a textbook in class is considered an absence. 

Please provide me with a valid e-mail address.  I may contact you via e-mail with information concerning class cancellations, assignments, due dates and supplemental reading.  An e-mail message created and sent to you creates a presumption that the e-mail was received and read by you.  Therefore, check your e-mail regularly!  You may need access to the Internet to complete some assignments.

No make-up examinations will be given absent extraordinary reasons. (Ie: major earthquakes-8.0+, tornados, floods- like the “Ark”, impending end of world, and disasters of monstrous proportion)  No assignments will be accepted after the announced due date.

You may use your computer for viewing the electronic text or for taking class notes. Please do not text, use your cell phone, or your computer for any other reason.  Unauthorized use will result in the equivalent of a class absence.  Unauthorized use during an examination will result in a failing grade.

Please do not request a specific grade or advise the instructor that you need a grade to maintain a scholarship or for some other reason.  Requesting a grade or attempting to influence the instructor concerning grading constitutes professional misconduct.   

Grading:

Scale:  A+ 100-97, A 96-92, A-91-90, B+89, B 88-82, B-80-81, C+ 79, C 78-72, C-71-70, D+ 69, D 68-62, D- 61-60, less than 60=F

3 tests - 30% - multiple choice

Final Examination- Essay and/or multiple choice- Comprehensive - 30%

Business Writing Assignments -20% (see due dates below)

Class Participation - 20%

Business Writing Assignments- Due Dates*

All student papers must be 3 pages in length, double-spaced and consistent with the format of the paper memo, 5.1 in the Kunkel text.

2-3 to 2-9 Computer based pre-test - completed outside of class*  

2-10 First paper due  - A memo to your manager including a report and discussion of the legal issues, options and costs to Johnson Controls as a consequence of the Supreme Court opinion.   AUTOMOBILE WORKERS v. JOHNSON CONTROLS, INC., 499 U.S. 187 (1991) (5%)

2-29 First paper revision due (5%)

3-16 Second paper due - Whether private sector unionization remains relevant to modern business.  Includes a discussion of the history of unionization and current trends. Upton Sinclair, The Jungle (1906) (5%)

4-4 Second paper revision due (5%)

4-9 to 4-13 Computer based post-test – completed outside of class*

• Late assignments will not be accepted.  No exceptions.  You must personally deliver a hard copy of your assignment on the due dates. You are responsible for scheduling a date and time to review your written assignments.

Statement on Academic Integrity: 

“All members of the University community share the responsibility for maintaining an 
environment of academic integrity since academic dishonesty is a threat to the University. 
Acts of academic dishonesty include: a) unauthorized assistance on an examination; 
b) falsification or invention of data; c) unauthorized collaboration on an academic exercise; 
d) plagiarism; e) misappropriation of resource materials; 
f) any unauthorized access of an instructor's files or computer account; or g) any other serious violation of academic integrity as established by the instructor.”

School of Business Administration Mission Statement:

To develop socially responsible business leaders with a global outlook through academically
rigorous, relevant, and values-based education and research.

Disclaimer

The lectures, discussions, assignments, personal interaction and all educational activity are information and not legal advice.  If you need legal, tax or any other professional advice, consult a licensed attorney or other qualified professional.  The Professor is not providing 
legal or other representation to any student.  No attorney client privilege is expressly 
intended or implied.

Tentative Schedule- Subject to Change

Class	Topics	Assignments/Deliverables
Week 1	Overview of Employment & Labor Law- Stakeholder Approach	Chapter 1
Week 2	Employment Contracts and Wrongful Discharge	Chapters 2 & 3
Week 3	Employee Privacy Rights- Business Ethics	Chapters 4 & 5 Test # 1
Week 4	Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Race Discrimination	Chapter 6
Week 5	Gender & Family Issues	Chapter 7
Week 6	Discrimination Based on Religion and National Origin	Chapter 8
Week 7	Discrimination based on Age	Chapters 9
Week 8	Discrimination Based on Disability	Chapter 10 Test # 2
Week 9	The Rise of Organized Labor- Corporate Social Responsibility	Chapter 12
Week 10	The Unionization Process and Unfair Labor Practices	Chapters 13 & 14 Test # 3
Week 11	Occupational Safety & Health	Chapter 20
Week 12	Employee Safety Nets- Unemployment, Workers Compensation & Social Security	Chapter 21
Week 13	The Fair Labor Standards Act	Chapter 22
Week 14	To be announced	Comprehensive Final Examination