Overview/Objectives:
Business is not conducted in a vacuum. The actions of businesses and business people are subject to moral evaluation just as are the actions of governments and government officials. This course is designed with three main objectives. First, this course will provide the student with a framework for thinking about issues from the moral point of view. Second, the student of this course will be more familiar with particular moral issues in business. Finally, by the completion of the course, the student should be able to articulate an argument from the moral point of view concerning issues in business.
Instructor information:
Brandon Gillette
Office: 3100 Wescoe
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10:00-11:30, and by appointment
Email: [email protected]
Important: There is more than one Brandon Gillette at KU. If you look up my email on the KU web page instead of the syllabus or course website, be sure to select the right one! The other Brandon Gillette has standing permission from me to play whatever joke he likes on students who email him instead of me.
Note: Email is the best way to contact me. A distant second is the department mailbox (if you can even find it). Also, sometimes I am just in my office during the day. Feel free to stop by at any time. You may also talk to me or email to set up an appointment if you are unable to see me during office hours.
Evaluation:
2 in-class exams:
- Exam 1: 25% of the total grade
- Exam 2: 25% of the total grade
2 written assignments:
- Written Assignment 1: 25% of the total grade
- Written Assignment 2: 25% of the total grade
All course information, including assignment schedule, is available at www.bgillette.com
Grading Scale:
I will abide by the standards of quality as described in University Senate Rules and Regulations, available here: https://documents.ku.edu/policies/governance/USRR.htm#art2sect2
The numerical scores corresponding with the letter grades will be as follows. When final scores are calculated, I will round to the nearest whole number.
- 100-90 A
- 89-80 B
- 79-70 C
- 69-60 D
- 59-0 F
Attendance:
I will occasionally keep track of attendance for my records. While there is not a grade specifically assigned to attendance, I will not accept exams, papers, or other assignments outside of class (see Lateness/Make-Up policy below). Poor exam grades are likely if you do not attend regularly. I do realize that, on occasion, some things are more important than class. I do not need to know what these things are in your individual cases unless some arrangements between us are necessary.
Lateness/Make-up Policy:
Make-up exams will be permitted in extreme circumstances at the discretion of the instructor, and may be offered for reduced credit. The earlier I am notified about an absence due to extreme circumstances on an exam day, the more likely it is that a make-up exam will be allowed. Written assignments will lose 10% of their original value each day that they are late. In the event that you know you will miss an exam day, you may be permitted to take an exam early, provided I am notified well in advance.
Course Text:
The book is “Business Ethics”, Seventh Edition, by Richard De George (Pearson 2009). Please get this book as soon as possible if you have not already. The ISBN is 978-0205731930. The book is available at the University Book Store and the Jayhawk Bookstore, and perhaps elsewhere as well.
Academic Honesty:
I will abide very strictly to the University’s policies on academic honesty. Violations of academic honesty policies can result in loss of credit for exams or assignments, and in some circumstances can result in loss of credit for the course. See University regulations here: https://documents.ku.edu/policies/governance/USRR.htm#art2sect6
Important Dates:
- No Class: March 19, March 21
- Exam Dates: February 19, March 14
- Papers Due: April 23; May 15, 1:30
- Last Class Day: May 9
- Final Exam Date: May 15, 1:30