Spring 2008
Basic Information
Subject: Business
Course Number: 3033W
Course Title: Business Ethics
Instructor: Michael L. Russell, B.A., J.D.
Gilbert & Russell, PLC
2021
Telephone: (731)664-1340
E-mail: mrussell@gilbertfirm.com
Office Hours: Students may call or e-mail the instructor to set up an appointment.
Text: Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases .
Course Purpose, Goals, and Objectives
A survey of the ethical environment of the business community, including legal ethics, the institutionalization of business ethics, the ethical decision making process, and implementing business ethics in a global economy.
Goals and Objectives:
C To acquaint students with the basic terminology encountered in the study of business ethics.
C To acquaint students with a history of law and ethics and a general overview of ethical issues surrounding business activities.
C To provide students with the opportunity to apply principles of business ethics to fact situations.
Course Requirements and Expectations
Class Participation and Case Studies: Class participation is essential and will be expected. Each student will present a case study during the semester. The case study must be typed and double spaced. Students will be required to give an oral presentation of their case study. Forty percent (20%) of the class grade will be based on case studies.
Grading: There will be no less than two and no more than three written examinations. The examinations will comprise 80% of the student’s final grade. The instructor reserves the right to determine the composition of the examination. However, students are advised that past examinations given by this professor have been a combination of multiple choice, short answer, true/false, and essay. The final examination will be comprehensive.
Attendance: Class attendance is very important. The student may miss up to three class meetings without penalty. If a student misses more than three class meetings, he or she will not be permitted to sit for the final examination.
Tardiness: Punctuality is very important. However, it is understood that circumstances beyond the student’s control may prevent the student from being in class on time. Accordingly, the instructor has implemented the following policy. If a student arrives after his or her name is called on the class roll, the student is considered tardy. Two tardies are equivalent to one absence for purposes of the attendance policy.
Class Cancellation: Due to the nature of the instructor’s law practice, it may be necessary to cancel class on short notice. If a class is canceled, the instructor will make every effort to give students advance notice. There may be time, however, when the instructor is detained in court or a legal proceeding. In these circumstances, notice of class cancellation is not possible. Accordingly, students are instructed to remain in class until 6:15. If the instructor has not arrived by 6:15, students may assume that the class has been canceled due to an unexpected legal proceeding.
The Syllabus: This syllabus is intended to be an outline. It is not to be construed as a contract, and it may be amended during the semester as the professor deems appropriate and at the professor’s sole discretion.
Any student eligible for and requesting academic accommodations due to a disability is requested to provide a letter of accommodation within the first two weeks of the semester.