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BUS 102

Ethics and Law in

Business and Society

Winter 2015

Dr. Sean D. Jasso

Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to

aim at some good; and for this reason the good has rightly been declared to be that at

which all things aim.

- Aristotle

Lecture: MWF 7:40-8:30am UV9

Office Hours: MWF 8:30-10:30 (Olmsted 2333)

Contact: sean.jasso@ucr.edu

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SoBA Mission Statement

Our mission is to develop diverse leaders, propel research-based innovation and promote the sustainable growth of Inland Southern California within the global economy. We harness the

powerful resources of the UC and our location at the nexus of commerce to create a laboratory for

education, research, and productive partnerships across economic enterprises.

The strategic activities that propel our mission include:

Conducting basic and applied research in management that explores and informs the creation,

development and management of growth

Providing degree programs that prepare our students to be effective managers and responsible

community leaders with a deep understanding of the dynamics of growth in both a regional

and global context

Partnering with business and community leaders through a shared commitment to exemplary

growth

Delivering educational programs to executives and the public at large that respond to the

needs of our local, state, national, and international communities.

Undergraduate Program – Learning Goals

Problem Solving Skills Students will be able to use a variety of theoretical perspectives to identify and critically evaluate

implications of business decisions for organizational stakeholders (e.g., customers, colleagues,

employees, stockholders, suppliers, foreign governments, communities, cultures, regulatory agencies).

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Professional Integrity / Ethical Reasoning Skills Students will be able to recognize ethical issues, demonstrate familiarity with alternative frame-

works for ethical reasoning, and discern trade-offs and implications of employing different ethical

frames of reference when making business decisions.

Global Context Skills

Students will be conversant with major economic, social, political, and technological trends and conditions influencing foreign investment and development of the global economy demonstrating

an understanding of the cultural, interpersonal and analytical competencies required for global

business.

Written Communication Skills

Students will demonstrate proficiency in written communications by creating written documents

that are clearly written, with appropriate content and conclusions.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Introduction to 102

Welcome to the course! The business world of the 21st Century is dynamically different

than the business world of the 1990s, the early 2000s and, even more certain, it is

different than the world of even one year ago. Much has changed, indeed, and much will

continue to change as we continue to move into 2015. So, what has changed?

Capitalism, that is the market-based, ownership and investment society, has not changed

– it has only grown. Politics has not changed – the struggle for power throughout the

world remains constant and thriving. What has changed is the rule book – laws, rules,

regulations, guidelines, and, most importantly, the focus on ethics. The change is not the

newness of the rule book, but rather the approach societies have interpreted and

implemented the rules.

Learning Outcomes & Course Objectives

The overarching learning outcome of the course is to explore the ethics and public

policy domain of doing business in both U.S. and global markets and to prepare you

to be the most effective, competitive, and, ethical managers of tomorrow.

Let us also be mindful that you are studying ethics, law, and management during a unique

time in American and world history. The World is significantly challenged – the political

economy is more dynamic than ever. Regardless of the current position of the nation’s

and global political and market economies, the fundamentals of law and ethics do not

change – this will be the premise of the course.

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Broad Course Objectives

Our broad objective is to examine how the dynamic, changing business environment

interacts within the complex political economy of the United States and abroad. We

study this dynamic environment by way of a governance approach rooted in moral

philosophy and public policy. To reach this objective, we examine the complex set of

interrelationships among business, government, interest groups, and the public and to

develop methods to aid in the management of those relationships. The emphasis is on

understanding the nature of those interrelationships, developing a framework for

analyzing, predicting, and anticipating changes in those relationships, and formulating

and implementing appropriate managerial policies for dealing with a

corporation’s/business’s many publics. The course is organized around a set of concepts

and a set of important current issues that are central to corporate and public policy

formulation and to a manager’s interaction with the external environment of business.

In a private enterprise society, business organizations operate within a set of explicit and

implicit constraints on the conduct of their activities, and in exchange for their license to

pursue economic objectives for their owners, they face demands for responsible behavior

toward their employees, their customers and suppliers, the communities in which they

operate, and society as a whole. Political pressures, interest groups, competitive

pressures, and changes in the economic environment continually act to redefine and

refocus those demands. In order to manage successfully in this environment, managers

must be able to respond in an effective manner to developments in that environment and

must become skillful in analyzing that environment in order to anticipate and influence

those changes. While the course is oriented to the United States’ economic, political, and

societal environment of business, the issues considered and the methods developed to

address those issues are relevant to most industrialized and developing countries.

Texts

De Kluyver, Cornelis A. A Primer on Corporate Governance, 2nd

Ed. Business Expert

Press, 2013. ISBN: 9781606496909

Sandel, Michael J. Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? Farrar, Straus and Giroux

2010 (paperback). ISBN: 978-0-374-53250-5

Suggested Supporting Articles Available in Course Materials:

Carroll, Archie B. (1991). The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility:

Toward the Moral Management of Organizational Stakeholders. Business

Horizons (July-August), pp. 39-48.

Weber, James. (1991). Adapting Kohlberg to Enhance the Assessment of

Managers. Business Ethics Quarterly, Volume 1, Issue 3, pp. 293-318.

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Responsibilities and Grading

The following are the deliverables for the course:

Contribution 25%

Exam 1 25%

Exam 2 25%

Policy Paper 25%

Handbook Priceless

Grading Scale A = 94% - 100%

A- = 90% - 93%

B+ = 87% - 89%

B = 84% - 86%

B- = 80% - 83%

C+ = 77% - 79%

C = 74% - 76%

C- = 70% - 73%

D+ = 67% - 69%

D = 64% - 66%

D- = 60% - 63%

F = <59%

Contribution

You are expected to come to lecture and your discussion as though you are coming to a

business meeting…on time and prepared. Please note if you are not in class, you have

not contributed and this will impact your contribution grade. If you must miss a class,

you must advise me and your TA of your intended absence with as much notice as

possible. Your attendance in discussion will be accounted.

I expect you to have completed the various readings before our meeting and be ready to

engage in a conversation with your colleagues, with your TA and with me. Business

classes are meant to be interactive, lively, and participatory from the entire group. I

encourage you to ask questions, argue with me and your classmates, and to challenge

some of the theories and concepts we will explore. You will have many opportunities to

speak your mind and I will often assist you along with the process of communicating to

the group.

Essentially, your contribution grade is evaluated on attendance, participation,

reading notes and your three journal reviews. The review criteria will be discussed in

class. My recommendation is to manage your contribution grade regularly with your TA

and with me.

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Reading Notes –

The aim of reading notes is to help you read critically and actively – to be engaged in the

work. You will find this tool essential in graduate school so it is here we begin the habit.

The reading notes will be measured using the level-five evaluation criteria and must

contain the following:

Format:

Two-page maximum, single space, business block, justified margins, 10-point

font

APA bibliographic citation of the work as your ‘title’

Your name, course, section number and date at the upper right

Content:

Central theme – identify author’s main lesson/argument – what is the author(s)

teaching us

Critical analysis – evaluate the lesson/argument – strengths/weaknesses –

considering pointing to a frame of reference in your own life or your training in

the subject

Main takeaways – so what and now what? How do we best apply the knowledge

from this article?

Article Reviews –

The academic journal articles – available on blackboard:

Hartman, Edwin (2016). Can We Teach Character? An Aristotelian Answer.

Academy of Management Learning & Education, 5(1), 68–81.

Rangan, K., Chase, L., & Karim, S. (2015). The Truth About CSR. Harvard

Business Review, 93(1/2), 40-49.

Porter, Michael and Kramer, Mark. (2011) Creating Shared Value: How to

Reinvent Capitalism and Unleash a Wave of Innovation and Growth. Harvard

Business Review, (Jan/Feb), 63-77.

Article Review Guidelines

Formatting

o 3 typed pages, double spaced, 12pt font, Times New Roman, standard

formatting

Heading

o Include the bibliographic information of the article

Introduction

o Identify what your review intends to do

o Include the author & title again

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o Include a very brief overview of the article, its purpose, & your

reaction/evaluation

Background Information

o Place the article in context and discuss the criteria for judging the article

Summary

o Discuss the main points of the article, quoting & paraphrasing key ideas

from the author

Evaluation

o Your evaluation, consider the following –

How well the article achieves its goal

What is the central lesson of the article

What are the article’s strengths and shortcomings

What personal experiences have you related to the subject

Conclusion

o Provide a final overview

o Suggested recommendations for further research

o Why this study matters

Exams You will take two blue-book, in-class essay exams. Generally, the exam will consist of

thematic questions from our studies and you will use the allotted time to write your

responses. The organization of your answers, the complexity of your analysis, and the

clarity of your critical thinking are the key elements of your evaluation. I will discuss the

exam details during week one. Please note, our unique three-day lecture schedule will

require us to allocate two days for each exam. See schedule.

Public Policy Analysis1

Your capstone project in the course is an individual research assignment on a public

policy/federal law of your choice. We will call this project your Policy Paper which will

be a formal research paper aimed at introducing and/or polishing your skills in the

following:

Public policy research – policy design, implementation, evaluation

Understanding a federal law

Effectively exploring and utilizing the library system for research

Strengthening your academic and competitive writing skills

Enhance your critical thinking skills

1 Your Policy Paper is an independent project testing your discipline of self-directed study. You are

encouraged to start early and use your TA’s office hours to gain feedback. Manage this time carefully as

your TA will need to balance his or her time as the term comes to an end. Consider this paper your ‘final

exam’ and note that the paper will stand the test of safe assignment.

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The Basic Structure of your Policy Analysis is the following (See Appendix One for

further detail: Policy Paper Checklist)

1. Description of the policy/law – history and current situation

2. Rationale for public policy – market or government failure

3. Analysis of policy’s efficacy

4. Implementation

5. Evaluation

6. Recommendations

Additionally, your Policy Analysis will be required to have a minimum of ten quality

references (academic journal articles, leading books, relevant websites, etc.). The paper

will be a 12-15 page narrative/report with a traditional title page, appropriate

subheadings, standard formatting (double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman,

page numbers), parenthetical citations such as (Jasso, 2012, p. 35), a works cited page

(you may call it a reference page), and any necessary appendices. We will use APA

format.

Ethics Handbook This is a great tool for you to take with you after you complete the course. This is an

individual project that is evaluated, yet not part of your total score. The content of the

book you write should apply to you, your job, and your future. Your Handbook should

consist of 50 to 100 key takeaways that highlight your journey in ethics and law. Note:

the first page of your Handbook will include your personal code of ethics.

My Philosophy and a Word on Grading A word on the course:

This is an upper-division course – this is code for “critical thinking” is our motto. Also, this is a

lecture course – that means, I teach you material in lecture hall. Each lecture is a major

component to your learning. I do not post prefabricated lecture notes or slides – I lecture (teach)

and you take notes, we engage, we challenge the material. I will post my own lecture slides

which are simply meant to provide you with the general flow of my lecture. Additionally, this is

a reading course – that means your success (your learning) requires you to read the texts,

supplemental journal articles I assign you, and the research material you build toward your final

policy paper. Lastly, I do not lecture from a book, but incorporate the readings in my lecture. It

is your responsibility and in your best interest to maximize your learning to read as rigorously

and independently as possible during our swift, ten-week program.

A word on grading:

Your final grade is your ultimate evaluation of your work in this course. Take a look at the

grading scale above and know that the average grade in this course falls within the range of 2.85,

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a B-, to a 3.0, a B. This means most students perform above or at the passing level while a few

fall below and others excel above this level. Passing means you have performed all or most of

your deliverables. To pass this course means you have done the job and you are fulfilling the

requirements of the University and of the Business School.

It is understood that you are all working under different circumstances in which your personal

and professional interests and responsibilities require you to make tradeoffs while you are in

college. I understand this as I, too, was once in your shoes. Do your best – this is all I expect.

Most of you, if not all of you will pass this course. This course, as you may expect, is designed

to challenge you and move your mind perhaps more than other courses you may have taken or

perhaps may ever take. The material is demanding as you will learn that ethics is everything –

everything for the success of the business, for management, and for a sustainable and

competitive career. The top tier performers in the course who will reach beyond the average will

be those who make the tradeoffs, manage their time, communicate with me and with your TA,

and, most importantly, immerse themselves into their studies. I want all of you to pursue

excellence and I will give you the tools to move toward this goal.

How we will grade your work:

Most of your work will be graded with quantitative results. For example, your weekly major

exams, attendance, article reviews, reading notes, etc. will all be assigned a number or a

percentage. Even your final policy project will be graded quantitatively. Keep in touch with

your TA to manage your numbers.

We will also grade your work and make our final evaluation of your assignments as well as final

grade with a qualitative perspective using a Level 5 Excellence Scale. In its simplest form, this

is the way my TA and I think and below are characteristics of this scale:

Level 5: Excellence (superior critical thinking, outstanding, highest quality, brilliant)

Level 4: Good (strong, proficient, good quality)

Level 3: Standard (complete, acceptable quality, on time, passing)

Level 2: Poor (incomplete, late, poor quality, potentially unacceptable)

Level 1: Failing (not submitted, no effort, drop the course)

Jasso’s Ethics

Intellectual curiosity is our purpose

Honesty and integrity matter here

Time management is essential

Communication yields success

Professionalism is our environment

Leadership through service

Excellence requires tradeoffs

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Integrity Policy

Cheating of any kind is not tolerated. Any evidence of cheating or plagiarism in any of

your work will result in you failing the course. This is a bright line rule.

Jasso’s Writing Criteria

The following criteria should be used as a guideline for critical writing. The general format can

also provide help with organizing in-class essay exams, however, my advice for your exams is:

“get deep, quick”

An "A" essay:

1. Clearly and completely responds to the question, demonstrating sophisticated critical

analysis.

2. Contains a clear and specific thesis statement (located at the end of the introduction).

3. Reflects a strong correspondence between the thesis statement and topic sentences.

4. Uses clear focused arguments, supported by evidence, with appropriate citations.

5. May offer unique arguments or analysis that others missed.

6. Is well organized with few errors in sentence structure, spelling and mechanics.

7. Incorporates complex sentences and smooth transitions, moderate to high thought-per-

sentence and -paragraph counts, and specific arguments from the applicable reading

assignments.

8. Contains a complete and informative reference page.

A "B" essay:

1. Adequately responds to the question but at a less sophisticated level.

2. Has a clear thesis sentence, but the thesis statement is weaker than in an "A" paper.

3. Advances solid arguments and supplies adequate evidence or examples for each.

4. Is clear and generally well written, with few errors, proper citations, and a reference page.

5. May gloss over important points or generalize where a more specific analysis is expected.

A "C" essay: Does not meet two or more of the first four criteria for a "B", but answers the

question. Often these papers are too vague or broad, or do not supply adequate evidence.

A "D" essay: Attempts to answer the question, but leaves large gaps in developing the arguments

or analyzing the reading materials.

An "F" paper: Plagiarism or failure to do the paper as assigned.

Some Notes on Writing Graduate Caliber Essays:

1) Always cite work that you paraphrase or quote (including page numbers and web addresses).

2) Never “cut and paste” or directly copy a phrase with three or more words from an internet or

electronic source without using quotations and citing the source.

3) Paraphrasing and using a citation to credit the original author is preferable to using direct

quotes when you are not trying to make a specific point about the quote itself. As a general

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rule, you should have at least one source cited in each supporting paragraph in the body of

your essay. (The number and breadth of specific citations is a solid indication of whether

you have brought sufficient evidence to bear on your analysis—more is better.)

About Your Professor, Dr. Sean D. Jasso

Education

Ph.D., Claremont, School of Politics and Economics

MPP, Claremont, School of Politics and Economics

MBA, Pepperdine

BA, UCLA

Research Concentrations

Politics and Economics: economic development, public policy, political economy,

American politics, comparative politics, political and economic risk, war, peace,

democracy, the new economy

Business and Management: strategy, marketing, corporate governance, leadership, ethics,

globalization, entrepreneurship, small business, the new corporation

Professional

Professor, writer, consultant

Independent management and leadership consultant

Serving industries in manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, entertainment,

construction, retail, philanthropy and wealth management

Various writing projects focusing on leadership, public policy, globalization, marketing,

strategy, and organizational design

Over 10 years in corporate consulting in the areas of strategy, general management, and

business development

Over 10 years in university teaching and research

Over 10 years in hospitality/service industries primarily with The Ritz Carlton Hotel Co.

as well as corporate healthcare marketing and administration

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APPENDIX ONE

Final Policy Paper Checklist

Dynamic Cover Page

o Title of Project

o Class name, date, professor name, TA name, discussion section, etc

Table of Contents Page

Basics: 12-15 pages, appropriate subheadings, standard MS Word formatting, double-spaced,

Times New Roman 12-pt font, page numbers

Primary Contents (Subheadings)

o Introduction – introduce your project’s main objective

Include the general plan of the document

o History of the Act – why was the law necessary

Public policy prescription

Market failure or Government Failure

o Trace its implementation

Act, Code, Agency, etc.

o Impact on business and society

Demonstrate your knowledge from the course content – theories, models,

principles, etc.

o Policy Analysis

Did it work?

What are its strengths and weaknesses?

Recommendations for future policy makers

Appendix Pages (directly following main document)

o Include the official Title page of the law indicating the following:

Congress number (Ex: One Hundred Seventh Congress…), An Act, Section 1:

Short Titles and Table of Contents (List of ‘Titles’)

References Page (at the very end of the paper following the appendices)

o This is the bibliography (ten minimum quality references)

Academic journal articles, government documents/records, key books, official

websites

Avoid media publications, material with no author, blogs, non-peer reviewed

material

o Citation format: APA Style

Helpful website: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Excellence Checklist

o Page numbers, professional quality, grammar, insightful, unique contribution,

comprehensive, high level critical analysis, strong bibliography & citation formatting,

manage the details, teach us something new

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Schedule

WEEK 1 – Jan 5, 7, 9

On Ethics

Introduction to the course

Jasso – Hippocratic Oath – reading notes Friday – Week 1

Start Justice

Start Primer

WEEK 2 – Jan 12, 14, 16

On Moral Development

Justice – 1st half– reading notes due Fri – Week 2

Library Workshop

WEEK 3 – Jan 19, 21, 23

On Corporate Governance

Article Review One (Hartman)

Justice – 2nd

half – reading notes due Fri – Week 3

WEEK 4 – Jan 26, 28, 30

On Corporate Governance Continued

Primer – reading notes complete book due Fri – Week 4

WEEK 5 – Feb 2, 4, 6

Exam One

Article Review Two (Rangan, et al)

Exam One (two days)

o Feb 2, 4

WEEK 6 – Feb 9, 11, 13

On Market Failure Theory

Jasso – Sarbanes Oxley: Context and Theory – reading notes due Fri –

Week 6

See Sarbanes Oxley appendix in Primer

WEEK 7 – Feb 16, 18, 20

On Public Policy & American Governance

Article Review Three (Porter/Kramer)

Selected Readings

WEEK 8 – Feb 23, 25, 27

On Public Policy & the Regulatory Environment

Jasso – On Corporate Preeminence – readings notes

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WEEK 9 – Mar 2, 4, 6

On the Future of Governance and Globalization

Selected readings

Concluding lectures

WEEK 10 – Mar 9, 11, 13

Exam 2 (two days)

o Mar 9, 11

Ethics Handbook

o Mar 13

WEEK 11 – FINALS WEEK

Final Policy Paper Due via safe assignment

o Wed March 25

REMANSIT VIRIUM