Tues, March 13
Film: The Big One by Michael Moore
Homework: Read "Can Business Afford to Be Ethical?"by
Milton Friedman and "Ethics Before Profits"by Robert
L. Holmes and "The Principles of Capitalism: A Natural Conflict"
Is being ethical in business simply not breaking the law?
What ethical issues do you think emerge in business? Why is it
important to have an ethics dialogue in business? Which argument
do you think is most convincing and why?
Thursday, March 15
Discussion of Readings and Film
Homework: Read "Ethics, Incorporated" by Dayton Fandray,
"Toy Wars" by Manuel Velasquez and "Trouble in
Camelot" by Eric J. Wieffering
How do Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield show that it is possible
to be socially responsible and still excel in business? How can
businesses take a role in creating a culture where ethics matter?
Friday, March 16
Discussion of Reading
Homework: Rent either "The Boiler Room" or "The
Insider" over the weekend and come to class prepared to discuss
the business ethical issues raised in these films.
Monday, March 19
Case Studies
Homework: Read "Moral Principles in International Contexts"
and "A Surge in Sweatshops"
Should there be international standards for labor, or is it
up to local governments to have jurisdiction over regulating local
business practices? What rights to workers have, especially if
they are illegal citizens?
Tuesday, March 20
Case Studies
Homework: Read "Nickel-and-Dimed On (not) getting by in
America" by BARBARA EHRENREICH.
What surprised you about this article?
Read "Journalism Ethics Classes: Do They Make Better Journalists?"
by Wendy Barger and Deni Elliot and "Why do Certain Causes
Get Richard Gere, and Others Can't Even Make the 6 O'clock News?"
by Eric Nonacs
What are some of the ethical dilemmas in journalism?
Writing Assignment:
Why be ethical in business? Base your response on the reading
and guest lecture presentations we have discussed in this unit.
Include parenthetical citations and a bibliography.
Paper length- 3-5 pages.