BA 7070

Social Perspectives on the Business Enterprise

The political, social, legal, ethical, regulatory, environmental, technological
and global issues that interrelate with business decisions in the societal fabric.

Online Syllabus - Winter 2007
CRN 23794

Albert D. Spalding, JD, CPA Associate Professor

School of Business Administration , Department of Accounting
100 William C. Rands House, 5229 Cass Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48202-3930
Telephone (313) 577-4469 / Telecopier (313) 577-2000
Email: aspalding@wayne.edu

Course Objectives

To gain a better understanding of the political, social, legal, ethical, regulatory, environmental, technological and global issues that interrelate with business decisions.
To enable and encourage the student to think more independently and autonomously about ethics, fiduciary duties, and the social responsibilities of business organizations and their managers and directors.
To review basic philosophical approaches to morality and applied ethics in the context of the workplace.
To enable the student to more clearly articulate her or his role in the development and implementation of the organization's ethos.
To further develop critical thinking and argumentation skills in the context of the synopsis and analysis of real world cases.
To further develop and employ research, writing and communication skills, including argumentative skills.

Course Open to Graduate Students Only

"Online" versus "Deadline"

prior to the respective deadline

Schedule of Assignments

Schedule of Assignments Updated on Web

Schedule of Assignments

http://sbaweb.wayne.edu/~aspalding/ba7070online/syllabus23794.html

If you usually access the internet from a home computer, your own laptop, or another computer to which you have regular access, you might wish to "bookmark" the online syllabus link as one of your Favorite Places so that you can quickly find your way back to the syllabus on a regular basis (at least twice weekly).
Note: if you have trouble with some of the links on this page, try accessing this page from a campus computer, or by configuring your browser to the WSU proxy server.

Course Materials and Related Requirements

Required Texts:

William H. Shaw and Vincent Barry, Moral Issues in Business - Tenth Edition [2007, Wadsworth], ISBN 049500717X.

Note: The 10 edition is required for this course; the 9th edition will not work.

T. Edward Damer, Attacking Faulty Reasoning - Fifth Edition [2005, Wadsworth], ISBN 0-534-60516-8.

Recommended Supplementary Text: Zachary Seech, Writing Philosophy Papers - Fourth Edition [2003, Wadsworth], ISBN 0534585272.
Recommended Supplementary Text: Mortimer J. Adler, Six Great Ideas; ISBN: 068482681X.
Recommended Supplementary Text: Deirdre N. McCloskey, The Bourgeois Virtues: Ethics for an Age of Commerce [2006, University Of Chicago Press], ISBN 0226556638.
Recommended Supplementary Text: Barry Tarshish, Grammar for Smart People [1993, Pocket], ISBN 0671750445.
Recommended Supplementary Text: Susan Wise Bauer, The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had [2003, Norton], ISBN 0393050947.
Computer: Students who do not have regular access to a computer with modem should apprise themselves of the various Wayne State University computer labs (including labs at the School of Business Administration on Main Campus, at the Oakland Center, and at campus libraries) so that they can keep up with changes to the Schedule of Assignments, download lecture notes, complete the research requirements in this course, participate in discussion forums and online discussions, and access their email.
Activated AccessID Account: To access Course Documents and other restricted pages on the Blackboard site for your section of this course, you'll need to be signed onto Blackboard with your Wayne State University AccessID.

For new Wayne State students, it's very important that you immediately log in to WSU Pipeline (http://pipeline.wayne.edu) and activate your AccessID account. AccessID accounts need to be activated before they can be used. Your AccessID format is two letters followed by four numbers, e.g. xy6789. The AccessID is printed on your OneCard. Your initial password for your AccessID account is set to the 9-digit Student ID number, which is also printed on your OneCard. (You will also need your 9-digit Student ID number for the First Email Assignment in this course.)
If you are having any difficulties with access to Blackboard, call the C&IT Help Desk during regular business hours at (313)577-4778 or e-mail them at helpdesk@wayne.edu.

Required Email Account: Each student in this course must have, and must check regularly, her or his own email account. An email account that is shared with another person (another student, a spouse, a parent, etc.) is not allowed. Students who do not already have their own personal email account should make use of their Wayne State AccessID Email Account for this course. As noted in the Email Protocols Used in This Course, it is important that your email mailbox is not full, and that you are able to receive any emails sent to your AccessID email address. Be sure to correct your email address on Pipeline (http://pipeline.wayne.edu) if you are not relying on the University AccessID as your primary email..

To set your email forwarding, login to WSU Pipeline (http://pipeline.wayne.edu), and click the "Account" icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. In the "Account Management Menu", click "Set Mail Forwarding". Specify your primary email address, and desired options, and click "OK". This will ensure that you receive any emails "broadcast" from this Blackboard system to all students in this course. Please make absolutely sure that your exact email address has been entered precisely. Also make sure that it is a valid and working email address, and that your email mailbox (including your WSU Access ID email mailbox) is not full.

To empty your WSU AccessID email mailbox, browse to https://webmail.wayne.edu/. After you login, notice the Quota percentage at the top of the screen. To clear some or all of your messages from your WSU Access ID email mailbox, click on the <First link, then click on the Select link (to select all of the oldest messages). Then click on the Mark button to mark all of the selected messages for deletion. Finally, click on the Purge Deleted Items link within the green field on the far left, to remove the messages that were selected-for-deletion from your mailbox. Repeat until you have cleared all (or a sufficent amount) of the available space, as indicated by the Quota percentage at the top of the screen. Check your Quota percentage from time to time to make sure your WSU Access ID email mailbox is not full.

Required Wall Street Journal readings will often be assigned for classroom discussion, tests, etc.. In particular, articles summarizing legal cases, statutory and regulatory changes, and other legal matters will be discussed. The paper is available at both Purdy and Detroit Public libraries, as well as at local public libraries. The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition is also an excellent online source for these articles, and may be accessed without charge by students who obtain a student "hard copy" subscription to the "paper" edition of the Wall Street Journal. Only paid subscribers to the Wall Street Journal are able to "click through" to the article. Nonsubscribers should plan to find their way to the assigned articles at a local public library, at one of the WSU libraries, or elsewhere. Students who obtain a student subscription to the paper edition of Wall Street Journal will automatically receive a subscription to the Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition and will be able to "click through" to the assigned Wall Street Journal articles to obtain copies. To obtain a student subscription to the paper edition, click here: On Page 1 of the subscription form, enter 482 as the first three digits of the Wayne State U. Zip code. On Part 2 of the online subscription form, enter Ethics as the course for which you are using the Journal, and indicate Spalding, Albert as your referring professor.*

Final Grade Calculation

The final calculated grade is a composite of the grades received for examinations, written submissions, participation in discussion, etc. Based upon the percentage of total points earned in each category, final grades as a percentage of total available points are as follows: 92.0 to 100 = A; 90.0 to 91.9 = A- ; 87.0 to 89.9 = B+; 82.0 to 86.9 = B; 80 to 81.9 = B-; 77.0 to 79.9 = C+; 72.0 to 76.9 = C; 70.0 to 71.9 = C-; Below 70.0 = E. A GRADE OF "INCOMPLETE" IS NOT AVAILABLE. The various components of the final grade are:

	Approx. Points**	Approx. Percent**
Task Points: Email assignments, Quizzes, Surveys, Discussion Board participation, Research Paper presentation, etc., including slack points.	305	22 %
Ethical Analysis	100	7 %
Mid-Term Exams	300	21 %
Argumentative Essay	100	7 %
Research Paper	200	14 %
Final Exam	400	29 %

The final grade is based upon the student's numeric scores, not the related letter grade associated with each component. See How to Study for an Online Section of BA 7070 for more information.

Last Day to Drop: Monday, March 19, 2007.

This drop deadline is the last day on which Prof. Spalding approve a request to withdraw from this course.

On or prior to that date, one of the following grades will be assigned for students who drop:

WN Withdrawal never attended, never took a quiz, and has no graded work to date
WF Withdrawal with a failing grade earned to date.

Points earned to date are calculated as of the day the withdrawal request is submitted by the student online. If the points earned (including quizzes), divided by all of the available points as of that date, is calculated to be less than 70 percent, a WF will be entered for withdrawal requests on or before the above date.

WP Withdrawal with a passing grade earned to date

Points earned to date are calculated as of the day the withdrawal request is submitted by the student online. If the points earned (including quizzes), divided by all of the available points as of that date, is calculated to be greaterthan 70 percent, a WP will be entered for withdrawal requests on or before the above date.

If a student does not withdraw officially by the above date , s/he will likely receive a failing grade of "F". After the above date, Prof. Spalding will not approve a a request to withdraw from this course, and no "W" grade will be allowed or available. Instead, the final grade calculation will be computed at the end of the course, as explained above, and the resulting grade (e.g., an "F" or failing grade) will be assigned.

This withdrawal policy for this course does not affect tuition and fees, since there is no tuition cancellation provision or tuition refund for withdrawn courses. For information regarding University dates pertaining to tuition cancellation and other matters, consult the University schedule. If you have specific questions about course registration or drop procedures at the School of Business Administration, consult your student advisor.

Communicating with Your Instructor

Office Location. Room 203 William C. Rands House, on the second floor, at 5229 Cass Avenue, Main Campus. The Rands House is located next door to the Prentis Building. Correspondence may be mailed to (or delivered in person) to Prof. Spalding at the Department of Accounting office, 100 Rands House (first floor), 5229 Cass Avenue, Main Campus. The mailing address is shown above at the top of this syllabus.

Office Hours. Virtual office hours by email 24/6, and in-person by appointment.

Electronic Mail. Students are encourage to call the instructor at (313) 577-4469, or stop by the office at 203 Rands House at any time. The most reliable means of communicating with your instructor, however, is by leaving an E-Mail message. Electronic mail is usually answered within 24 hours.

The first email assignment, due at Unit One, is an email message to the instructor. The Subject of the email should include the student's name and section number; for example, if John Doe's section or CRN (call number) of BA 7070 is CRN 16009, John Doe's Subject would be as follows: John Doe 16009 - First Email Assignment. The text of the message is as follows: Student name, student number, address, phone numbers, web site if applicable, and course number BA 7070 and CRN for the student's section of this course. All other email to the instructor during the semester should follow this format (as well as the other email protocols listed at http://sbaweb.wayne.edu/~aspalding/ba7070online/email.html and should include the student's name, followed by a space, followed by 16009, followed by the subject of the message, in the subject line of each email. Always leave a space before and after the CRN number.
Announcements for This Course on Blackboard

Most assignments, readings, and announcements for this course will be listed below or posted on the Blackboard site for this course, at least a week ahead of time. Any last minute changes, including any cancellations or other last minute change, affecting this course, will be posted on the Blackboard site for this course. If there is a power outage on Main Campus or other emergency resulting in the cancellation of classes at Wayne State University, all assignments due for that day continue to be due as scheduled. The Internet does not shut down for emergencies, so simply submit all discussion board postings, surveys, online exams, and all other assignments as scheduled below irrespective of any weather or other emergency. If you usually use a Wayne State University campus computer for these assignments, but you discover that that Wayne State computer facility is closed for any reason, simply find your way to a public library, cybercafe, friend's house, employer work station, or other internet-accessible computer so that you are able to receive credit for timely submitted work, since no credit is given for late submissions under late submissions.

F1/F2 International Students

The U. S. Department of Homeland Security has recently established regulations for F1 students taking online classes. Specifically, if you have F1 visa status and are taking more than one online class in a semester, you need to provide proof that you are physically present for at least two meetings with your instructor for each online class.. F1 (international) students who are taking online or distance learning classes that do not require you to physically be present on campus for an exam, a class meeting, or other purposes relating to the class can use only one class or three credits per semester toward the full course of study requirement. For example, if you are an undergraduate student enrolled in 12 credit hours, you can only count one class or 3 credit hours of online study or distance learning classes toward the full course of study requirement for that particular semester if no physical presence on campus is required. Therefore, F1 (international) students taking more than one (3 hr.) class online per semester are now required to come to campus at least twice per semester to physically meet with their instructor (e.g., oral presentation, in-person office visit by appointment, etc.). The Office of International Students and Scholars [in the Welcome Center (42 W. Warren) at WSU (Tel: 313-577-3422, Fax: 313-577-2962, e-mail: oismail@wayne.edu)] will provide F1 students with a form for faculty to sign verifying these two meetings per online course each semester, and it is the student's responsibility to contact the faculty member regarding the need to meet.

Academic Integrity

Strict compliance with the Wayne State University Academic Integrity policies and the Student Code of Conduct are required in this course. Any cheating (including collaboration among students on quizzes or exams), fabrication, plagiarism, or other academic dishonesty will result in an automatic grade of E for this entire course, irrespective of the specific context or assessment involved (quiz, research paper, exam, etc.). In addition, charges will be filed with the Judicial Officer of the Dean of Students Office. For more information, see the Student Code of Conduct brochure. There is zero tolerance of academic dishonesty in this course.

Schedule of Assignments Subect to Change - Check Back Often Note: if you have trouble with some of the links on this page, try accessing this page from a campus computer, or by configuring your browser to the WSU proxy server.
Unit and Due Dates and Times†	Readings Due Prior to Discussion and Quiz (Draw from these Readings when Completing Discussion and Quiz Due at 6:00 p.m..	Discussion Questions, Completed on Discussion Board Prior to Deadline Due at 6:00 p.m. However, when there is both a Part A and a Part B, Part A initial Discussion Board postings, are Due at 6:00 p.m.. Part B Responsive and Follow-Up Discussions are Due at 11:00p.m.	Other Items Due to be Submitted Prior to Deadline Due at 6:00 p.m.:
01/08/2007, Monday Introduction Note: Survey # 1, First Email Assignment, Initial Discussion Board postings (U1D1A, U1D2A, and U1D3A), and Baseline Quiz, are due at 6:00 p.m. on 01/16/2007, but may be submitted earlier. Quiz # 1 is also due at 6:00 p.m. on 01/16/2007, but is not available until 01/15/2007 per the Quizzes and Surveys (Online Section) page of this syllabus.	Primary Readings: This syllabus and all attachments listed at the bottom of this syllabus. Pay special attention to the following attachment: How to Study for BA 7070. View the introductory lecture on Blackboard. Additional Readings: Joseph R. DesJarins, "Virtues and Business Ethics"; Dunham, Kemba, "Right and Wrong: What's Ethical in Business?," Wall Street Journal, Jan. 11, 1999; Amitai Etzioni "When It Comes to Ethics, B-Schools Get an F," Washington Post, August 4, 2002 (Only these three readings are available in the Course Documents area of the Blackboard site for this course; for information about future Wall Street Journal readings, see above.)	None due at 6:00 p.m.on 01/08/2007. The Baseline Quiz and Survey # 1 may be taken on Blackboard prior to 6:00 p.m.on 01/08/2007. The First Email Assignment may also be emailed in proper form prior to 6:00 p.m.on 01/08/2007. The initial Discussion Board postings (U1D1A, U1D2A, and U1D3A) may also be completed prior to 6:00 p.m.on 01/09/2007. Also, correct your address on Pipeline if you are not using the University AccessID as your primary email. Log in to WSU Pipeline and click the "Account" icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. In the "Account Management Menu", click "Set Mail Forwarding". Specify your primary email address, and desired options, and click "OK". Make sure your email address on Pipeline is precisely accurate, so that you will not miss out on any emails "broadcast" to the entire class from the Blackboard system. Note: Survey # 1, First Email Assignment, initial Discussion Board postings (U1D1A, U1D2A, and U1D3A), and Baseline Quiz, are due at 6:00 p.m. on 01/16/2007, but may be submitted earlier.
01/16/2007, Tuesday Unit One: Survey # 1, First Email Assignment, Initial Discussion Board postings (U1D1A, U1D2A, and U1D3A), Quiz # 1 and Baseline Quiz, are due at 6:00 p.m. on 01/16/2007. Responsive and Follow-Up Discussions (U1D1B, U1D2B, and U1D3B) are Due at 11:00 p.m. on 01/16/2007. Note: Survey # 1, First Email Assignment, initial Discussion Board postings (U1D1A, U1D2A, and U1D3A), and Baseline Quiz, are due at 6:00 p.m. on 01/16/2007, but may be submitted earlier. Quiz # 1 is also due at 6:00 p.m. on 01/16/2007, but is not available until 01/15/2007 per the Quizzes and Surveys (Online Section) page of this syllabus.	Primary Readings: Shaw and Barry, Chapter 2: Normative Theories of Ethics; Case 2.1 ("Hacking into Harvard"); Case 2.3 ("Blood"); Case 6.2 ("Web Porn at Work"); Reading, p.85 (Hare, "Philosopher's Approach"); Reading, p. 92 (Green, "Moral Justification"); Damer: Introduction, and Chapters I, II, and III. Additional Readings: Benjamin Brewer, "Fewer Freebies, More Patient Time Since Doctor Said No to Drug Reps" Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2007; Page B9; Thomas M. Burton, "Cognitive Dissonance: Why Some Patients Get No Help After Brain Injury" Wall Street Journal, January 8, 2007, Page A1; Alan Murray, "When Firms Turn to Lawyers" Wall Street Journal, January 10, 2007, Page A11; Wall Street Journal Video: CNBC, the trend of lawyers-as-CEO.	Unit 1, Discussion 1A: After reading the Discussion Board page of the syllabus from top to bottom, introduce yourself, on the Blackboard Discussion Board site for this course, to the other students in this course. Include general employment information and/or any other information you would care to share with your classmates. Describe your MBA/MS degree experience to date, and expectations from your graduate studies. You may, if you wish, attach a photo of yourself. Due by 6:00 p.m. Unit 1, Discussion 1B: Provide a constructive and substantive reply to at least one other student's U1D1 expectations, experience, or other observations. Feel free to enter into a respectful discussion, regarding expectations, employment, education, etc. Due by 11:00 p.m. Unit 1, Discussion 2A: Page 91, Question 6. Give a full analysis and explanation for your conclusion(s). Do not repeat another student's prior analysis. Due by 6:00 p.m. Unit 1, Discussion 2B: Provide a constructive and substantive reply to at least one other student's U1D2 analysis. Due by 11:00 p.m. Unit 1, Discussion 3A: Respond to the following question (and feel free to enter into discussion with other students): "Is greed wrong? Explain." Avoid equivocation and answers such as, "It depends." Come to a specific Yes or No conclusion, and justify your answer. Draw from the readings (especially Chapter 2), and outside research on the Web or otherwise, to justify your answer. Cite all references. Due by 6:00 p.m. Unit 1, Discussion 2B: Provide a at least one constructive and substantive reply to at least one other student's U1D2 analysis. Due by 11:00 p.m.	Survey # 1, First Email Assignment, Initial Discussion Board postings (U1D1A, U1D2A, and U1D3A), and Baseline Quiz, are due at 6:00 p.m. on 01/16/2007, but may be submitted earlier. Quiz # 1 is also due at 6:00 p.m. on 01/16/2007but is not available until 01/15/2007 per the Quizzes and Surveys (Online Section) page of this syllabus. After 01/16/2007: Start on Unit Two: View Introduction to Unit Two (lecture) on Blackboard.
01/22/2007, Monday Unit Two Survey # 2, Initial Unit 2 Discussions, Quiz #2, and second email assignment are Due at 6:00 p.m. on 01/22/2007 Responsive and Follow-Up Discussions are Due at 11:00 p.m. on 01/22/2007	Primary Readings: Shaw and Barry, Chapter 8, Moral Choices Facing Employees; Case 8.1 ("Changing Jobs and Changing Loyalties"); Case 8.5 ("Ethically Dubious Conduct"); Case 6.2 ("Malt"); Reading, p. 419 (Soles, "Loyalty"); p. 445 (Davis, "Whistleblowing"); Damer: Chapters IV through VI.; Definitions of Malum in Se versus Malum Prohibitum; Toulmin Model of Argument; Toulmin Argumentation; Additional Readings: Cassell Bryan-Low, "How Legal Codes Can Hinder Hacker Cases" Wall Street Journal, January 17, 2007, Page A8; Julia Angwin, "MySpace Moves to Give Parents More Information" Wall Street Journal, January 17, 2007, Page B1.	Unit 2, Discussion 1A: Describe a "real life" ethical dilemma or moral choice faced by you or a fellow worker in recent years. Explain how it was or was not resolved, and explain (using the Toulmin model) how it should have been resolved and why. Remember not to disclose specific trade secretrs or confidential information about your employer, client, etc. Unit 2, Discussion 1B: Provide a constructive and substantive reply to at least one other student's U2D1 analysis. Unit 2, Discussion 2: Respond to the following question (and feel free to enter into discussion with other students): "Is whistleblowing wrong? Explain." Avoid equivocation and answers such as, "It depends." Come to a specific Yes or No conclusion, and justify your claim(s) with support in the style of Toulmin Argumentation. Draw from the readings, and outside research on the Web or otherwise, to justify your answer. Cite all references. Unit 2, Discussion 2B: Provide a at least one constructive and substantive reply to at least one other student's U2D2 analysis.	Quiz #2; Second Email Assignment: Five Proposed Research Issue Questions; Survey # 2
01/25/2007	The 2006/2007 George R. Husband Distinguished Lecture will be given by Claudius Modesti, Director of Enforcement and Investigations with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) on Thursday, January 25, 2007, in the McGregor Memorial Conference Center from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Mr. Modesti's lecture is titled "Thoughts on Deterring Auditor Misconduct in the Post-Enron World." Students in Prof. Spalding's course who attend the (entire) Distinguished Lecture and who seek out and sign in on Prof. Spalding's sign-in attendance sheet (available at the Lecture) will earn five (5) extra credit points.
01/29/2007, Monday Ethical Analysis U2D3A is due at 6:00 p.m. on 01/29/2007. At least one responsive U2D3B discussion due at 11:00 p.m.	Unit 2, Discussion 3A: Write a summary of your Ethical Analysis as your Discussion Board message posting, including the case number and the name of the case that was assigned to you (see Step Four of the Ethical Analysis instruction page of your syllabus). Also, as part of that posting, attach your Ethical Analysis (in Word format) to your discussion U2D3 on the Discussion Board. The summary on the Discussion Board, and the uploading of the Ethical Analysis (in Word format), are due at 6:00 p.m. Unit 2, Discussion 3B: Provide at least one constructive and substantive reply in response to at least one other student's U2D3 ethical analysis. (see Step Five of the Ethical Analysis instruction page of your syllabus) Due by 11:00 p.m. Continue any thoughtful discussions as you deem appropriate.
02/05/2007, Monday Unit Three Initial Unit 3 Discussions, Quiz, are Due at 6:00 p.m. on 02/05/2007 Responsive and Follow-Up Discussions are Due at 11:00 p.m. on 02/05/2007	Primary Readings: Chapter 10, Consumers; Case 10.2 ("Hot Coffee at McDonald's); Case 10.3 ("Sniffing Glue could Snuff Profits"); Case 10.4 ("Drug Dilemmas"); Reading p. 555 (Phillips, "Manipulative Advertising"); Reading p. 565 (Schor, "Consume so Much"); Damer: Chapters VII through IX; Pointers for Structuring Written Arguments; How to write an Essay; Also: 16 Fallacies; 42 Fallacies; Directory of Fallacies; Quick Review and Self-Test (Toulmin; Fallacies). Additional Readings: Theo Francis, "Medical Dilemma: Spread of Records Stirs Patient Fears Of Privacy Erosion" Wall Street Journal, December 26, 2006, Page A1; Perri Capell, "How to Handle an Employee With Substance-Abuse Issues," Wall Street Journal, December 12, 2006, Page B10; Jess Bravin, "Unions' Policy Test" Wall Street Journal, January 8, 2007, Page A8; David Reilly, "Big Accounting Firms Still Pay for Scandalst" Wall Street Journal, January 13, 2007, Page B5; Kris Hudson, "Gender-Discrimination Suit Against Costco Gets Class-Action Statust" Wall Street Journal, January 13, 2007, Page B3; Alan Murray, "Executive's Fatal Flaw: Failing to Understand New Demands on CEOs" Wall Street Journal, January 4, 2007; Page A1.	Unit 3, Discussion 1A: Describe a second "real life" ethical dilemma or moral choice faced by you or a fellow worker in recent years. Explain how it was or was not resolved, and explain (using the Toulmin model) how it should have been resolved and why. Remember not to disclose specific trade secretrs or confidential information about your employer, client, etc. Unit 3, Discussion 1B: Provide a constructive and substantive reply to at least one other student's U3D1 analysis. Unit 3, Discussion 2A: Respond to the following question (and feel free to enter into discussion with other students): "For products or services that are both legal and profitable, should the board of directors of a corporation ever impose ethical limits (other than the legal limits and the limits imposed by the marketplace) on what is sold by the corporation?" Avoid equivocation and answers such as, "It depends." Come to a specific Yes or No conclusion, and justify your answer. Draw from the readings, and outside research on the Web or otherwise, to support your answer. Cite all references. Unit 3, Discussion 2B: Provide a constructive and substantive reply to at least one other student's U3D2 analysis.	Quiz #3.
02/12/2007, Monday	Online Midterm Exam I. Date and Time: Part I ("multiple choice" portion) and Part II ("short essay" portion) of *Midterm Exam I* are due on or before 11:00 p.m..on 02/12/2007. This exam is a "take-home" exam, available to the student at the Course Documents section of the Blackboard site for this course approximately 30 hours prior to that due date and time.. The text of the short essay questions may be made available sooner for student review and preparation. Part One (the multiple choice/true false portion) is completed on Blackboard in the same manner as quizzes. Part Two (short essay) is also separately completed on Blackboard in approximately the same manner as quizzes, but using complete and proper sentences. Part One (multiple choice) must be completed in one sitting within one hour of the time Part One is started. Part Two (short essay) must be completed separately in one sitting (not in the same session as Part One), within one hour of the time Part Two is started. Part One is graded automatically on Blackboard; points for Part Two are posted within approximately one week.
02/19/2007, Monday Unit Four Initial Unit 4 Discussions and Quiz, are Due at 6:00 p.m. on 02/19/2007 Responsive and Follow-Up Discussions are Due at 11:00 p.m. on 02/19/2007	Primary Readings: Chapter 11, The Environment; Case 11.3 ("Rewrapping the Big Mac"); Case 11.4 ("Fordasaurus"); Case 6.4 ("Old Smoke"); Reading, p. 612 (Hoffman, "Business and Environmental Ethics"); Reading, p. 190 ("Ethics in Capitalism"); S. Fred Singer, Climate Policy—From Rio to Kyoto: A Political Issue for 2000—and Beyond, Hoover Institution.; Brochure on EMS: Your Business Advantage (PDF 429K); Additional Readings: Julia Angwin, "MySpace Moves to Give Parents More Information" Wall Street Journal, January 17, 2007, Page B1; Ronald Alsop, "How Boss's Deeds Buff A Firm's Reputation" Wall Street Journal, January 31, 2007, Page B1; Jennifer Levitz and Emily Steel, "Boston Stunt Draws Legal, Ethical Fire" Wall Street Journal, February 2, 2007; Page B3; Suzanne Vranica, "Watching Super Bowl Ads Could Make Viewers Cringe" Wall Street Journal, February 2, 2007; Page B1.	Unit 4, Discussion 1A: Enter, word for word, your assigned research issue question once you receive your assigned topic from Prof. Spalding via email. Unit 4, Discussion 1B: Provide a collegial, constructive, helpful, and substantive suggestion or observation to at least one student regarding their topic. Unit 4, Discussion 2A. Write a short policy statement ( 4 or 5 sentences maximum) asserting the relative importance of the human priority (as compared to other consiiderations such as the freedom of species to expand or move their habitats; animal rights generally; and aesthetics). Clearly state the extent to which the human priority is higher than, equal to, or less than such other considerations, and provide support for your claim. Unit 4, Discussion 2B: Provide a constructive and substantive reply to at least one other student's U4D2 analysis.	Quiz #4;
02/26/2007, Monday Unit Five Initial Unit 5 Discussions, Quiz, Survey # 3 and Email Assignment # 3 are Duee at 6:00 p.m. on 02/26/2007 Responsive and Follow-Up Discussions are Due at 11:00 p.m. on 02/26/2007	Primary Readings: Chapter 1, The Nature of Morality; Case 1.1 ("Dumped"); Case 6.5 ("Union Discrimination"); Case 7.1 ("Unprofessional Conduct"); Case 10.5 ("Closing the Deal"); Reading, p. 33 (Solomon, "It's Good Business"); Reading, p. 42 (Luban et al, "Moral Responsibility"); Reading, p. 198 ("International Sweatshops"). Hasnas, John, "The Normative Theories of Business Ethics: A Guide for the Perplexed." Business Ethics Quarterly (Jan. 1998); Andrew Fastow Plea Agreement and Statement (Note: Peruse the plea agreement, but carefully read the statement at Exhibit A); 181 South Inc. v. Fischer, No. 05-1882 (3d Cir. N.J. July 18, 2006); Additional Readings: Betsy Mckay, "State Probes Coke-Nestle Drink Claims" Wall Street Journal, February 6, 2007, Page B15; Miriam Jordan and Valerie Bauerlein, "Bank of America Casts Wider Net For Hispanics" Wall Street Journal, February 13, 2007, Page A1; Ann Keeton and Stephen Wisnefski, "JetBlue Unveils Customer Bill Of Right After Service Snafus" Wall Street Journal, February 21, 2007, Page A4.	Unit 5, Discussion 1A: Write a one-sentence ethical claim -- connected to, drawn from, or associated with your assigned research topic -- that you plan to support and defend in your argumentative essay. Unit 5, Discussion 1B: Provide a collegial, constructive, helpful, and substantive suggestion or observation to at least one student regarding their ethical claim. Unit 5, Discussion 2A: Describe in your own words, you own idea of whether there is such a thing as a higher moral law. If so, how and when that higher moral law can be ascertained, and exactly what triggers its application (i.e., how do we know when we are about to violate it)? If not, how do we determine the limits of human freedom (including human lawmaking) without a sense of a higher moral law? Unit 5, Discussion 2B: Provide a constructive and substantive reply to at least one other student's U5D2 analysis.	Quiz #5; Survey # 3; Email Assignment # 3: Name, title, and organization affiliation of your research paper interviewee (along with your questions) emailed in confidence to Prof. Spalding.
03/05/2007, Monday Argumentative Essay due at 6:00 p.m. on 03/05/2007. Responsive discussion due at 11:00 p.m.	Unit 5, Discussion 3A: Write a 150 word (or less) summary of your Argumentative Essay, as your Discussion Board posting. Also, as part of that posting, attach your two- to five-page Argumentative Essay (in Word format) to your discussion U5D3 on the Discussion Board. Do not use the Digital Drop Box for your argumentative essay. Name your Word file as follows: LastName-FirstInitial-ArgumentativeEssay.doc. So, Lisa Jones' argumentative essay would be Jones-L-ArgumentativeEssay.doc. The Subject line of your entry should be "Argumentative Essay from ___________." Due by 6 p.m. Unit 5, Discussion 3B: Provide a constructive and substantive reply in response to at least one other student's U5D3 argumentative essay. Due by 11:00 p.m.
03/12/2007	Spring Break
03/19/2007, Monday Unit Six Initial Unit 6 Discussions, Email Assignment # 4 and Quiz are Due at 6:00 p.m. on 03/19/2007 Responsive and Follow-Up Discussions are Due at 11:00 p.m. on 03/19/2007	Primary Readings: Chapter 4, The Nature of Capitalism; Reading, p. 190 (Sen, "Markets and the Role of Ethics in Capitalism"); Reading, p. 198 (Maitland, "The Great Non-Debate over International Sweatshops"); Reading, p. 318 (Levine, "Labor Unions"); Case 4.4 ("An Internet Parasite"); Reading, Younkins, Edward W., "Morality and Character Development: The Roles of Capitalism, Commerce, and the Corporation;" Maital, Shlomo, "More than Greed" (Available in the Course Documents section of Blackboard); Beckey Bright, "Managing Corporate Social Responsibility," Wall Street Journal, Mar 03, 2007, Page B1; Boeing Co. Code of Conduct. Additional Readings: Jess Bravin and Vanessa O'Connell, "High Court Throws Out Verdict Against Phillip Morris," Wall Street Journal, February 21, 2007, Page A2; Suzanne Barlyn, "Putting Return Policies to the Test," Wall Street Journal, February 22, 2007, Page D3; Janet Adamy and Roger Thurow, "Ethiopia Battles Starbucks Over Rights to Coffee Names," Wall Street Journal, March 5, 2007, Page A1; WSJ News Roundup, "Former Officers at Gateway Liable for Fraud," Wall Street Journal, March 9, 2007, Page B4.	Unit Six, Discussion 1A: List, using proper citation format, the ethics journal article(s) and law review article(s) you plan to reference in support of your research paper. All students: attach your Research Presentation Handout (in Word format) to your discussion U6D1A on the Discussion Board. Unit 6, Discussion 1B: Provide a collegial, constructive and substantive suggestion or observation to at least one student regarding their topic, including, where appropriate, suggestions for additional research resources. Do not select the same student(s) as you selected at U4D1B or U5D1B. Instead, select a different student whose U6D1 posting has not received any, or many, replies. Unit 6, Discussion 2A. Explain, using solid argumentation while avoiding fallacies, why you agree or disagree with Shlomo Maital's commentary about capitalism. Draw from your lecture notes, readings, or other sources in support of your argument. Unit 6, Discussion 2B. Provide a constructive and substantive reply to at least one other student's U6D2 analysis.	Quiz #6; Email Assignment # 4: Let Prof. Spalding know by email whether you will be presenting your research in person on 04/09/2007, or via video upload onto the Discussion Board.
03/26/2007, Monday	Online Midterm Exam II. All exams are cumulative. Date and Time: Part I ("multiple choice" portion) and Part II ("short essay" portion) of *Midterm Exam II* are due on or before 11:00 p.m..on 03/26/2007. This exam is a "take-home" exam, available to the student at the Course Documents section of the Blackboard site for this course approximately 30 hours prior to that due date and time.. The text of the short essay questions may be made available sooner for student review and preparation. Part One (the multiple choice/true false portion) is completed on Blackboard in the same manner as quizzes. Part Two (short essay) is also separately completed on Blackboard in approximately the same manner as quizzes, but using complete and proper sentences. Part One (multiple choice) must be completed in one sitting within one hour of the time Part One is started. Part Two (short essay) must be completed separately in one sitting (not in the same session as Part One), within one hour of the time Part Two is started. Part One is graded automatically on Blackboard; points for Part Two are posted within approximately one week.
04/02/2007, Monday Unit Seven Initial Unit 7 Discussions, and Quiz are Due at 6:00 p.m. on 04/02/2007 Responsive and Follow-Up Discussions are Due at 11:00 p.m. on 04/02/2007	Primary Readings: Chapter 5, Corporations; Case 5.2 ("Infant Formula"); Case 5.4 ("Free Speech"); Reading, p. 246 (Cassidy, "Greed Cycle"); Reading, p. 263 (DeGeorge, "Ethical Dilemmas"); p. 267 (Camenisch, "Heart of the Matter"). Additional Reading(s): Article: Gregg, Samuel, "Corporate obligations should reflect stakeholders' best interests;" Susanne Craig, "Court Reverses Perelman Award On Point of Law," Wall Street Journal, March 22, 2007, Page C1l; Jane Spencer, "Pollution Violators in China Are Cited by Nonprofit Groups," Wall Street Journal, March 21, 2007, Page B5.	Unit 7, Discussion 1A: List, using proper citation format, the business journal feature article(s) you plan to reference in support of your research paper. Unit 7, Discussion 1B: Provide a collegial, constructive and substantive suggestion or observation to at least one student regarding their topic, including, where appropriate, suggestions for additional research resources. Do not select the same students as you selected at U4D1B, U5D1B or U6D1B. Instead, select a different student whose U7D1 posting has not received any, or many, replies. Unit 7, Discussion 2. Describe your research paper interviewee, including the person's title or role in the business organization, type of business, and at least five questions that you propose to ask the individual. Do not include the interviewee's name (or the organization's name) on the Discussion Board.	Quiz #7.
04/09/2007 In-Class Session at 6:00 p.m. On-Site on Main Campus (Room 103 Rands House, 5229 Cass Avenue Main Campus). -- or -- U9D1 video presentations are due online at 6:00 p.m. on 04/09/2007.	Research Presentations by those students who choose not to upload their presentations onto the Discussion Board. Students who attend should print (from U6D1) and bring to class a copy of each of the other students' one page Research Presentation Handout	Research Presentation, Discussion 1A. For those students who choose to upload their video presentation onto the Discussion Board, their five to ten minute presentation must be uploaded as an attachment to the RPD1 discussion thread by 6:00 p.m. The Subject line should indicate "Video Presentation by ________" with the student's name indicated. Research Presentation, Discussion 1B. For all students: Provide a constructive and substantive question in response least one other student's RPD1A video presentation. Due 04/10/2007 by 11:00 p.m. Select a student for whom a fewer number of questions have already been asked, so that you not "pile on" any one or two students. Research Presentation, Discussion 1C. Only for those students who chose to upload their video presentation onto the Discussion Board: Provide a constructive and substantive follow-up or answer to at least one RPD1B reply. Due 04/11/2007 by 11:00 p.m.	None.
04/16/2007, Monday Unit Eight Initial Unit 8 Discussions, and Quiz, are Due at 6:00 p.m. on 04/16/2007 Responsive and Follow-Up Discussions are Due at 11:00 p.m. on 04/16/2007	Primary Readings: Chapter 9, Job Discrimination; Case 9.4 ("Harassment"); Case 9.5 ("Facial Discrimination"); Reading, p. 256 (Orlando, "Downsizing"); Reading, p. 307 (Werhane and Radin, "Employment at Will"); Reading, p. 489 (Schultz, "Sanitized Workplace"). Additional Readings: None.	Unit 8, Discussion 1A: Write the last five paragraphs of your research paper, in their current form, along with an outline of your paper. The outline should include headings and subheadings (and, where appropriate, sub-subheadings), and should be sufficiently detailed so as to show the "flow" of your ethical and legal arguments. Unit 8, Discussion 1B: Provide a constructive and substantive reply to at least one student regarding their U8D1 entry. Do not select the same students as you selected at U4D1B, U5D1B, U6D1B or U7D1B. Instead, select a different student whose U8D1 posting has not received any, or many, replies.	Quiz #8.
04/23/2007, Monday	*Final Research Paper* is due online due on or before 11:00 p.m. on 04/23/2007 on Blackboard: the electronic version in Word is "Sent" on Blackboard using the Student Drop Box. Hard copy of the research paper is required in addition to the electronic version, and may be either faxed to (313) 577-2000, or delivered to the Department of Accounting oxffice in 100 Rands House on Main Campus (see address above), as late as noon on the 05/02/2006 ... so long as the electronic copy of the Word document computer file of the research paper has been previously Sent (i.e., uploaded) via the Student Drop Box on Blackboard no later than 11:00 p.m. on 04/23/2007. If you plan to fax your paper, do not ask for, and do not expect, a confirmation of the receipt of your fax; if you are unsure about sending a fax, choose another delivery method (e.g., hand delivery, Fedex, etc.). Also, if plan to fax your paper, do not wait until the last minute to fax your paper, as the fax line will likely be busy and you will miss the deadline.
04/30/2007, Monday	Online Final Exam. All exams are cumulative. Date and Time: Part I ("multiple choice" portion) and Part II ("short essay" portion) of the *Final Exam* are due on or before 11:00 p.m..on 04/30/2007. This exam is a "take-home" exam, available to the student at the Course Documents section of the Blackboard site for this course approximately 30 hours prior to the due date and time. The text of the short essay questions may be made available sooner for student review and preparation. Part One (the multiple choice/true false portion) is completed on Blackboard in the same manner as quizzes. Part Two (short essay) is also separately completed on Blackboard in approximately the same manner as quizzes, but using complete and proper sentences. Part One (multiple choice) must be completed in one sitting within two hours of the time Part One is started. Part Two (short essay) must be completed separately in one sitting (not in the same session as Part One), within one hour of the time Part Two is started. Part One is graded automatically on Blackboard; points for Part Two are posted within approximately one week.

This syllabus will be updated continually.

Check back often (at least twice weekly) for a current, more complete version!

Please read this entire syllabus and its attachments, including:

Online Syllabus for CRN 23794 Winter 2007
Blackboard - http://blackboard.wayne.edu/
How to Study for an Online Section of BA 7070
Email Protocols Used in This Course
Task Points (Online Section)
Quizzes and Surveys (Online Section)
Discussion Board (Online Section)
Ethical Analysis
Argumentative Essay
Research Paper
Exams

*Only paid subscribers to the Wall Street Journal are able to "click through" to the article. Nonsubscribers should plan to find their way to the assigned articles at a local public library, at one of the WSU libraries, or elsewhere. Students who obtain a student subscription to the paper edition of Wall Street Journal will automatically receive a subscription to the Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition and will be able to "click through" to the assigned Wall Street Journal articles to obtain copies. To obtain a student subscription to the paper edition, click here: On Page 1 of the subscription form, be sure to enter 482 as the first three digits of the Wayne State U. Zip code. On Part 2 of the online subscription form, be sure to enter ETHICS as the course for which you are using the Journal, and indicate Spalding, Albert as your referring professor.
**Subject to change slightly as the semester unfolds. Final grade is based on the student's total points divided by the final denominator as determined at the end of the semester.
***Prior to each unit, peruse the Wall Street Journal for recent articles.
†See How to Study for an Online Section of BA 7070 for details. Lectures introducing each unit are made available on Blackboard at least four days prior to the due date for that unit.
† †Note: if you have trouble with some of the links on this page, try accessing this page from a campus computer, or by configuring your browser to the WSU proxy server.