SYLLABUS SYLLABUS
BSAD 366 BUSINESS,
SOCIETY, and ENVIRONMENT - Fall 2005
3 Semester hours
Dates: August 22nd – December 5, 2005
Room: N316
Prerequisite: BSAD 242
INSTRUCTOR: Donald Maier, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Management
OFFICE:
OFFICE HOURS: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9:00-10:00; 11:15- 2:15
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:45
Or by appointment
CONTACT INFORMATION: (815) 740-3666; Dr. Maier’s office
(800)
726-2600 –
(815)
740-3395 –
Email – dmaier@stfrancis.edu
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
This course investigates the
interrelationship between business organizations, local community, and
our
socio-economic system. This course studies the effects of government,
labor
unions, and political, religious, and business organizations on
executive
decision-making. Major emphasis is placed on the environmental factors
conducive to organizational change.
Some of the areas we will study include; the employment relationship as it changes from a very structured one that provided job security, to a highly flexible one that provides less secure forms of employment. We will investigate how as the global business environment emerges, the redesign and restructuring of business that is being driven by vigorous competition and the need to improve the quality of products and services impacts business and the society we live in. Lastly, we will investigate a broad variety of issues like the impact of changing technology, world population growth and its effect on the environment, and the growing concerns about ethical and moral behavior of business executives and government officials as new public standards and norms for business emerge.
COURSE
OBJECTIVE:
1. To
develop an understanding of the interaction of
Business in Society, i.e.,
a. The basic interaction between business and society and the relationship between stakeholder expectations and corporate performance as it relates to public issues.
b. How business operates in an environment in which a business is expected to act in a socially responsible manner.
c. Learn how to recognize ethical issues and develop an understanding of their importance to business.
d. Identify the changing role of government in the global economy, in particular its role as a strategist for national economic growth and social welfare.
e. Determine the impact as growing consumption of natural resources driven by rapid world population growth conflicts with ecological desires.
f. Explore the concepts and conflicts encountered when the company’s primary stakeholder goals come in conflict with emerging social issues.
g. Address and examine special social issues such as women in the work place and how technology is exposing the complex relationship that results in numerous ethical and political issues.
2. Develop the knowledge base and demonstrate writing skills necessary for the articulation of complex and often emotional issues that are confronted by business on a daily basis.
3. Finally, to understand that learning is more than just receiving a grade. I am more concerned with What you think, and Why. Can you formulate your own opinion about a particular issue AND be able articulate your reasoning. This ability to express a thought must be more than "because I said so", or "just because."
REQUIRED TEXTS: Thorne McAlister, D., Ferrell, O.C., &
Ferrell, L.
(2005). Business & Society: A strategic approach to social
responsibility (2nd Ed.). Houghton-Mifflin,
STRONGLY
RECOMMENDED: The Publication
Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) (Most current
edition).
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS: 1. Two Exams (Mid-term and Final 200 pts.
each)
2. Group
Case Study Analysis (100 pts)
Each group will complete a detailed case analysis (8-10 pages minimum, plus bibliography with minimum of 8 references), and present its case assessment, analysis, and outside research to the class. Presentations will be 25-30 minutes – no longer! To successfully analyze the case, you need to read the case, gather MORE background information, and conduct research to update the information on the company and situation. You are free (and encouraged) to contact the company or media sources directly for additional information. Your assessment should evaluate what led to the problem/decision issue, how the company reacted, what should have been done to prevent the problem (if corrective measures are warranted), how it should prevent such situations in the future (or maintain current success), and whether the company is "on-track" today. Written reports due on the day of presentation.
3.
Social
Audit (100 pts.)
Each group will complete a social audit of a company assigned in class. Social responsibility audits are conducted by assessing effectively if a company is meeting its social responsibility and social goals (internally & externally). You should carefully follow the 8 stages defined in Chp. 12 to complete the project, and use the social audit on the text website. The stages of the audit are written from the perspective of the organization. Therefore, you will need to modify what can actually be accessed in some of the stages. Presentation Time: 40-45 minutes; Written analysis: 8-10 pages, plus bibliography with minimum of 8 sources
4.
Group Participation (100 pts)
Each member of the group will evaluate the other members based on value, creative thinking, asset to group, willingness to assist, and participation.
5. Group
Stakeholder Analysis (100 pts)
Each group will complete a thorough analysis on one of the 4 current issues/events. The objective is to determine who the various stakeholders are, what their stake is in the issue, what they hope is a positive resolution to their stake, what are the consequences of any negative outcomes, and alternative strategies. To be successful, you will need to conduct research on the issue detailing its background/history, update on current discussions, alternatives discussed and potential issues created from alternatives, and potential balanced resolutions. Finally, what are the recommendations of the group, whether as a whole or individually? Presentation time: 40-45 min.; Written analysis 8-10 pgs., plus bibliography with minimum of 10 sources.
Topic
1: Transportation & Land Use-Freight –
Preventing
costly gridlock of the movement of
almost $1 trillion in freight in the
Topic
2: A third Chicagoland airport
Many of us
have heard or have direct knowledge
of a potential third airport to be built in
Topic
3: Oil
That says it
all!!! Is the price of a barrel of
crude truly based on supply and demand? What else is going on and what
can be
done to rectify the situation? Alternatives?
Topic
4: Executive Compensation
Are
executives paid too
much?
Topic
5: Biotechnology (including stem-cell
research, bio-drugs, GM food, etc.)
You can pick
one area or
combine some areas. Pro’s/Con’s, moral issues, competitive issues.
6.
Class
Participation (100 pts)
ATTENDANCE: Required and expected. We are all adults who have made a commitment to lifelong learning. As such, you are responsible for your success or failure. Keep in mind that participation is a part of your grade as is group participation. If you are not here, you cannot participate.
GRADING:
A = 650 – 700
B
= 600 – 649
C
= 550 – 599
D
= 500 – 549
F
= <499
|
A |
Excellent: The student performs in a consistently active, accurate, creative, and independent manner. An ability is demonstrated not only to master the course material, but to synthesize and evaluate what was learned. Communication skills are commensurate with the student's ability. |
|
B |
Very Good: The student is able to master the course content and often demonstrates creative thought and independence, but does not give evidence of a consistency in excellence. |
|
C |
Satisfactory: The student meets the basic expectations of the instructor, usually shows little initiative in attacking new problems, and indicates some progress in personal development. |
|
D |
Passing: The student demonstrates an inability to master fully the basic course requirements, but does give indication of minimal growth expectations. |
|
F |
Failure: The student fails to meet the minimum course requirements. |
|
I |
Incomplete: The incomplete grade may be given only upon agreement between the student, the instructor, and the Graduate Dean. This grade is given when the student has, for a reason beyond the student’s control, been unable to complete the required course work. The student must then complete the requirements by the end of the sixth week of the following semester at which time a final grade will be recorded. If the student fails to complete the requirements at this time, the final grade will be recorded as an "F". |
|
W |
Withdrawal |
USF
As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal
arts, we are
a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and
charisma,
engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and
justice, and
ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes
reverence for creation, compassion, and peacemaking. We strive for
academic
excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to
the world
through service and leadership.
The mission of the
programs are designed for traditional and nontraditional students
providing a
blend of professional studies and a strong liberal arts curriculum.
Graduate
programs are designed for working professionals and are practitioner
based. All
programs in the
STUDENT DISABILITY
POLICY:
All students with documented disabilities who need accommodations should contact your professor within the first two weeks of school and schedule an appointment with the Disabilities Coordinator, Pat Vivio at 815.740.3402 in room L-214.
CLASSROOM
RULES/BEHAVIORS/POLICIES:
We are all adults hoping to learn something new about the world of business and/or ourselves. As such, everyone MUST respect the opinions, values, and differences of other students and the instructor. If at any time, a student becomes disrespectful to the instructor or to another student in any manner, that student will be required to leave the class for that day and will receive no credit towards their participation for that WEEK. Other rules etc, to be observed and followed in class will be:
▪ No food (drinks are acceptable) allowed
▪ No hats to be worn in class; it’s not recess and you won’t wear hats in the corporate world either
▪ No talking, answering, or calling on cell-phones. Be sure they are on silent mode, off, or don’t bring them to class.
▪ No playing or working on the computers during lecture or during presentations
▪ You will pick-up after yourself at the end of class
▪ Be prompt and courteous if arriving late. IF you are more than 10 minutes late for class, please do not bother attending that day, unless an extraneous situation develops.
▪ No talking when others are talking or presenting. Be respectful of other classmates.
▪ Come prepared for class – read the materials and be ready to provide answers.
▪ Come prepared with course materials
The instructor reserves
the right to revise/adjust the syllabus and
class schedule as circumstances may warrant during the semester.
Students are
expected to follow all policies in the USF Catalog and Student Handbook.
COURSE OUTLINE -
Week 1 – August 23 Introductions
Review syllabus, course requirements, and grading
Divide class into case study groups
Chapter 1 Social responsibility
August 30 Chapter 2 Strategic Mgmt of Stakeholder Relationships
Exercise p. 61
Chapter 3 Legal, Regulatory, and Political Issues
Acctg, Sarbanes-Oxley
September 6 Chapter 4 Business Ethics & Ethical Decision Making
Chapter 5 Approaches to Improve Ethical Behavior
Whistle Blowing
8th
Class starts at 8:00 – 9:00
September 13 Chapter 6 Corporate Governance
Chapter
7 Consumer & Community Relations
September 20
NO
IN-CLASS Sessions
September 27 Chapter 8 Employee Relations
Chapter 9 Environment Issues
Menard’s,
Wal-Mart
October 4 Chapter 10 Technology Issues
Chapter
11 Strategic Philanthropy
October 11
Chapter
12 The Social Audit
October 18
FALL Break
October 25
NO
In-Class Sessions
November 1 Case Study Presentation – 4 Groups for week
November 8
Social
Audit Presentations – 2 Groups per week
November 15
Social
Audit Presentations – 2 Groups per week
November 22
Stakeholder
Presentations – 2 Groups per week
November 29
Stakeholder Presentations – 2 Groups per week
December 6
Open
– Review for final exam
The instructor reserves
the right to revise/adjust the syllabus and
class schedule as circumstances may warrant during the semester.
Students are
expected to follow all policies in the USF Catalog and Student Handbook.