Course Outline and Syllabus
BU/RE 334  Business Ethics
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Spring-Evening 2005, Online

Instructor:                         
Joe Johnson                    
Contact Information: [email protected]
Course Description:
 Examines ethical issues in the field of business through a study of both ethical theories and actual cases, with attention to both the personal and social dimensions of problems.
Course Objectives: Upon completing this course, one should be able to:
  • use key terminology of ethical theory properly
  • explain alternative approaches to questions of ethics and social justice, and the difficulties associated with each
  • explain the philosophical presuppositions that underlie key concepts of capitalist economics, and the arguments for and against these
  • apply the measures of alternative ethical approaches to the internal and external behavior of corporations and the individuals composing them
Text Books:
 William H. Shaw, Business Ethics, 5th Ed.  (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2005)
Class Requirements:
Weekly chapter quizzes. (60% of grade)
Weekly postings to discussion board regarding case studies. (20% of grade)
Final exam. (20% of grade)  This will be a written exam covering the more major points of the term.  A study-guide will be provided in advance.  (Chaminade requires that the final exam for online courses be taken in person at a designated site.  Details will be announced toward the end of the term.)
Schedule:
Online, April 4 - June 13.  Weekly assignments will be posted by Monday morning, Hawaii time.  They must be completed by Sunday night, Hawaii time.
Grading Scale: 
The Chaminade catalogue explains letter grades as follows:  A=outstanding scholarship and an unusual degree of intellectual initiative; B=superior work done in a consistent and intellectual manner; C=average grade indicating a competent grasp of subject matter; D=inferior work of the lowest passing grade, not satisfactory for fulfillment of prerequisite course work; F=failed to grasp the minimum subject matter; no credit given.  With this in mind, grades will be assigned as follows:
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60 - 69%
F < 60%

Detailed Schedule

Start       
Assignment Due
Week 1 Apr 4
 Apr 10
 Chapter 1, The Nature of Morality
Week 2
 Apr 11
 Apr 17
 Chapter 2, Normative Theories of Ethics
Week 3
 Apr 18
 Apr 24
 Chapter 3, Justice and Economic Distribution
Week 4
 Apr 25
 May 1
 Chapter 4, The Nature of Capitalism
Week 5
 May 2
 May 8
 Chapter 5, Corporations
Week 6
 May 9
 May 15
 Chapter 6, The Workplace (1): Basic Issues
Week 7
 May 16
 May 22
 Chapter 8, Moral Choices Facing Employees
Week 8
 May 23
 May 29
 Chapter 9, Job Discrimination
Week 9
 May 30
 Jun 5
 Chapter 11, The Environment
Week 10
 Jun 6
 to be announced
  Final Exam (in person, at designated testing center)