University of Minnesota Duluth

Labovitz School of Business and Economics

Department of Management Studies

MgtS 4461 – Business and Society

Course Syllabus

Spring 2008

 

 

Instructor:

Geoffrey G. Bell, Ph.D., CA

Office hours:

Office:

SBE 121

  M 11:00-12:00, W 10:00-11:00, Th 1:00-2:00

Phone:

726-7640

  Or by appointment

email:

ggbell@d.umn.edu

fax:  218-726-7578

Website:

www.d.umn.edu/~ggbell

 

 

 

Meeting time:                 Section 1:          3:30-4:45PM, Tuesday / Thursday SBE 40

 

Text (required):             Trevino, Linda K. and Katherine A. Nelson (2007).  Managing Business Ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right, 4th Edition.  Wiley.[1]

 

Readings (required):     

Hoffman, Andrew J. (2006). Getting ahead of the curve: Corporate strategies that address climate change, The Pew Center on Global Climate Change.  Available on-line at http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-in-depth/all_reports/corporate_strategies/  or http://webuser.bus.umich.edu/ajhoff/2006%20Pew%20Report.pdf or for purchase under the title, Carbon Strategies: How leading companies are reducing their climate change footprint.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007). ÒIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report: Summary for PolicymakersÓ Available on-line at: http://www.ipcc.ch/.  Go to the section labeled ÒThe AR4 Synthesis ReportÓ and click on ÒSummary for policymakers.Ó  (For those of you interested in more information, you might want to look at the three ÒWorking GroupÓ reports available at the same website.)

Lloyds Insurance 360 Risk Project (2006).  ÒClimate Change: Adapt or Bust?Ó  Available on-line at: http://www.lloyds.com/News_Centre/360_risk_project/360_homepage.htm

(Go to the link called ÒDownload Adapt or BustÓ at the bottom of the page.  Available in PDF>)

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (2007). ÒGlobal climate change and its impact on Minnesota.Ó Available on-line at: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/hot/globalwarming.html (HTM format)

Stern, Sir Nicholas (2006). ÒExecutive SummaryÓ from ÒStern Review: The economics of climate change.Ó  Available on-line at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/sternreview_summary.cfm

(Go to this website, and click on ÒPDF File of executive summary (long)Ó)

Union of Concerned Scientists (2005). ÒMinnesota: findings from Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes RegionÓ and ÒGlobal Warming Solutions: Reducing heat-trapping emissions in Minnesota: from Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes RegionÓ

Both available on-line at: http://www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes/glregionmin.html (Go to this webpage and click the two icons at the bottom.)

 

Course Overview:

There are many ways that a Business and Society course can be taught.  Traditionally, I have taught it as a pure business ethics course.  However, I have become increasingly dissatisfied with this approach, and have decided it is Òtime for a change.Ó  Therefore, I have embarked on a major revision of the course and, for better or for worse, you are my Òguinea pigs.Ó  I hope you enjoy this major revision of the course!  One thing remains constant – this course is very much an applied one, wherein I strive to have you challenge and deepen your thinking.  The course is highly interactive, relying on small group discussions, case discussion, and lectures.  Your contribution is critical to the success of both the course and your learning.

The first part of the course covers issues related to business ethics. Many of you have an already well-established sense of right and wrong that you have developed over many years and derived from a variety of sources.  This part of the course will help you to think about and apply this belief structure in a new context – the business world.  I will not try to tell you Òwhat to thinkÓ about ethics in the workplace.  Rather, it will help you develop your ability Òhow to thinkÓ about these issues.  Therefore, my approach differs greatly from that of many other courses here at LSBE, even other courses I teach.  Rather than trying to Òfill your heads with knowledge,Ó I plan to help you think through the ethical issues that you will confront as a manager.  Consequently, this part of the course tends to be ÒshortÓ on theory and ÒlongÓ on application to management.  (One of the biggest compliments a student ever gave me was, ÒWe never knew what you wanted to hear, so we had to think about the issues.Ó)

The second part of the course (which is brand-new for this semester) is a Òcurrent topics in Business and SocietyÓ component.  This year, we will examine the issue of climate change.  However, I do not plan to take a ÒtraditionalÓ ÒethicsÓ approach to the subject, which would involve thinking about how business choices affect the environment.  Rather, I want to present evidence on climate change and then, presuming that climate change is Òreal,Ó I will ask you to develop plans to help you change your own and a businessÕs carbon footprint.  The reason I am taking this tack is that in some ways, whether or not climate change is real or not doesnÕt matter.  Businesses, governments, societies, and individuals are becoming convinced that it is, and are finding ways to alter their behavior that is beneficial for them economically – a win/win situation.  (For example, the January 11, 2008 Duluth News-Tribune reported that the DECC has changed its heat source to capture waste steam heat from the City, thereby saving the DECC $200,000 a year in operating expenses.  These changes instigated to reduce the DECCÕs carbon footprint would save the DECC real money whether or not there is climate change at work!)  In this part of the course, IÕm going to have you look at the evidence regarding climate change, and then propose and implement a personal plan to reduce your own climate footprint and develop a plan to do the same for a business with which you are familiar.

 

Objectives:

1.     To understand the fundamental concepts underlying business ethics.

2.     To assess whether business ethics matters and if so, why.

3.     To analyze complex ethical situations you are likely to face as a manager.

4.     To understand the scientific and economic case regarding global climate change.

5.     To develop a plan to reduce you own carbon footprint in a cost-effective manner, and begin to understand some of the intended and unintended impacts of personal action.

6.     To develop a plan to help a business with which you are familiar to reduce its carbon footprint.

 

Prerequisites:

Required prerequisite: MgtS 3401; recommended prerequisite: MgtS 3801.  To register for this class, you must have completed MgtS 3401 (Organizational Behavior).  Additionally, you (and I) will benefit if you have completed MgtS 3801 (Human Resources Management).  I will assume for this class that you have a fundamental understanding of organizational behavior issues and concepts.  Additionally, I will draw upon those of you who have completed the Introduction to HR class to provide insights into the HR issues we address. 

 

My Philosophy of Teaching:

 

"Mr. Bell – It's all about the 'why' with you, isn't it?"

Luke Marsolek, Student, Fall 2005

 

Learning should be an enjoyable experience for both the students and the instructor.  The learning process is greatly facilitated by active involvement of both the students and the instructor.  I expect you to help me create a positive learning atmosphere by coming to class ready to participate in the discussion.

Additionally, for a positive learning environment to exist, an atmosphere of acceptance is vital.  We should all try to keep an open, but questioning, mind about ideas which our peers present in the class.  Before we criticize what appears to be a "silly" idea, we must remember that the person who "invented" the hula hoop got rich! However, before we accept othersÕ ideas uncritically, we need to remember that Thomas Watson, Senior, the legendary CEO of IBM, expected that the total worldwide market for computers would never exceed five (thatÕs right, five – not five billion, but five), machines!

Moreover, because this course is really all about developing your thinking skills, I will (and I hope others will) "push" your thinking when you present your logic in class.  In many classes, when the professor challenges your thinking, that means youÕre "on the wrong track." Not so in this class!  When I ask you to go further in your thinking, itÕs because I want you to develop and refine your thinking.  ItÕs a "good thing" (to quote Martha Stewart).

 

Course Format:

            The course will consist of class discussions, lectures, videos, and case analyses.  It extensively uses small group discussion as a primary pedagogical tool.  Hence, your willingness to participate actively in the discussion will be a key component of the success of the course.

 

Preparation:

            Because of the highly participative nature of this course, all students must come to class prepared to participate in the dayÕs activities.  I expect you to read the assigned readings (text material and/or case) and think about them before coming to class.  This class is somewhat different from many others you have taken.  While I expect you to read the chapter material, I also expect you to spend the majority of your time reflecting and cogitating on the reading.  That is, reading the material is not enough – reflecting on it is required to gain true insight.  My experience in the last couple of years teaching this course is that students really enjoyed this somewhat different format, and were willing to commit quite a lot of time to thinking!  However, as a caveat, I generally find that students tend to benefit from the course in direct proportion to their effort.  If you want to "slide" through this course, you will be wasting your time, your peersÕ, and mine.  Please take this course only if youÕre prepared to do the hard, but fun, work of thinking!

 

Attendance:

            Since constructive contribution to class discussion is an integral part of this course, attendance at classes is necessary.  Students who have excessive absences will cheat both themselves and their colleagues out of a major part of the learning experience.  As a consequence, students who fail to attend the majority of classes will find their grade suffering.  (You canÕt learn if youÕre not here!)  Please try to attend all classes.

 

Course Requirements and Evaluation:

            In this course, I place very little emphasis on mere ÒregurgitationÓ of text material.  Rather, I expect you to focus extensively on applying the material and thinking about its implications for you as a future manager.  In so doing, I will provide you with a variety of opportunities to show me your knowledge and learning.  Tests (the mid-term and pre-test) allow you to display your comprehension and understanding of the important concepts we discuss.  The extensive written assignments show your ability to think through complex issues.  Small group case discussion help you discuss issues and present your conclusions to your peers.  Case discussion in class allows you to develop your analytic skills and your ability to Òthink on your feetÓ.

 


Grade distribution

 

Element           

Percent of course grade

Class contribution

15%

"What is ethics?" assignment

 

Individual component

5%

Group component

5%

Remaining hand-in ethics assignments

15%

Mid-term test

20%

Pre-test exam

10%

Individual climate change exercise I

 

Options to reduce carbon footprint

5%

Reflections on reducing carbon footprint

5%

Group project on reducing climate footprint

20%

Student survey

0 OR -5%

Total

100%

 

Description of grading options:

 

A.  Class contribution

            Why do I evaluate class contribution?  Some students are under the misperception that class contribution consists primarily of Òshowing up.Ó  However, class is like work in that few organizations will pay you merely to Òshow up.Ó  To receive the rewards you want (pay, in the case of a work organization; grades, in the case of class), you are expected to add value to your organization.  Similarly, I do not reward students for merely showing up.  Much of the value add in the class comes from the perspectives that you bring to the classÕs discussion and the ideas that you share in class.  When we discuss a case or a theoretical concept, you may bring a work perspective (having worked in a similar organization), or a unique cultural perspective (especially for you non-Minnesotans!).  Thus, class contribution really includes active contribution to your and your colleaguesÕ learning.

            Sometimes, students also want permission to do extra work to Òmake upÓ a lack of active contribution.  I do not allow this.  Why not?  This perspective really presumes that the primary reason I want you to contribute to class discussion is so I can evaluate whether or not youÕve read the assigned material.  However, ascertaining whether youÕve done so is really only a minor by-product of the exercise.  My primary goal of asking you to contribute actively in class discussion is my recognition that we all contribute to the learning process.  Learning is a joint product of teacher and student wrestling with material, such that we all (including me) learn something valuable.  As mentioned above, we all bring our unique backgrounds and perspectives, and thus we all have something uniquely valuable to contribute to the class learning experience.  Having you share your thoughts with me one-on-one would allow me to estimate your comprehension of course material, but would rob your colleagues of the opportunity to learn from your experience and perspective, so does not meet the objectives of class contribution.

            I will assign contribution grades based on the quality of your contribution, not just the quantity.  Indeed, simply monopolizing Òair timeÓ without adding to the learning of the group will not garner credit and may even detract from it.  Some of the criteria I will use to evaluate contribution quality include:

á       Are your points relevant to the discussion?

á       Do you draw clear implications of your analysis?

á       Do you present your arguments logically and coherently?

á       Have you considered relevant counter-arguments, or do they Òtake you by surpriseÓ?

á       Do you enhance the classÕs understanding of the issues?

á       Can you effectively critique othersÕ comments or act as a ÒdevilÕs advocateÓ in discussion?

            To help me evaluate class contribution fairly, please choose and stay in the same seat throughout the semester.  That way, the probability of erroneous contribution credit will be minimized.

 

B. Hand-in assignments

Hand-in assignment for Week 1 – ÒWhat is ethics all about?Ó:

I expect that before you first enter this class, you may not have thought very much about the issues of business ethics.  That is okay, and in fact, may be beneficial for this class!  Before you read the material for chapter 1, I want you to do the following:

This assignment will be due our second class period, January 24th.  Be sure to bring it with you to class.

 

Remaining hand-in ethics assignments:

            When you glance through the text, you will notice that there are a variety of questions to address at the end of each chapter.  I will assign several questions for each week of the course, beginning with class 2.  However, you do not have to answer all questions for all chapters.  Rather, you can (should) limit your responses as follows.

            The answers you choose to submit will be due in class the day we study that material, at the start of the class period.  For example, if you choose to answer the questions for chapter 4, they will be due in class the day we discuss chapter 4.  I expect that your answers to be about 2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced.  I will grade your responses on the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of your response to the issues.  (The detailed grading guide is available on my course web-site.)  Generally, I am looking for the logic of your argument.  Logic differs greatly from opinion in that opinion states, ÒI believe (thus and so),Ó while logic states, ÒHere is why I believe (thus and so) to be true (or false) – or true and false.Ó  Logic explores the reasoning behind your opinion, and, in this course at least, is much more important than the opinion itself.

 

C.  Mid-term Test

Students will write one in-class mid-term test lasting the full class period.  The test will be long-answer format.  The test questions seek to determine both whether you have read and understood the course material, and whether you can apply it to a variety of business events and settings.  There will be no regurgitation-type questions.  Rather, all of the questions will ask you to apply what we have been thinking about to a business situation.  The mid-term is open-book format.

 

D. Pre-test exam

This is a new experiment this year.  In terms of the climate change material, we simply will not have time to cover much of it in class.  Therefore, I will assign much of it as self-study during the first part of the course, and have an open-book pre-test before we begin this part of the course.  The test itself will be a multiple-choice, true/false format, and seek to ensure that you have covered the basic underlying material.  While it will be an open-book format (meaning that you donÕt have to memorize all the data in detail), you wonÕt have time during the test to read the material for the first time, so itÕs imperative that you read the material ahead of time.

 

E. Individual climate change project

The individual climate change project gives you an opportunity to reflect on your own personal carbon footprint and examine ways that you could reduce your impact on the earth.  The project will consist of two parts.  In part 1, I want you to examine three potential actions you could take to reduce your impact on earthÕs environment.  I want you to assess both the costs and benefits of doing the actions you contemplate, both in terms of environmental and financial costs and benefits.  You will need to review the three options you present, and justify one as the final choice you make, in terms of both environmental impact and financial impact.  When I assess your work, I will consider the thoroughness of your analysis in determining your possible courses of action.  I will also review them for Òdo-ability,Ó and any student who considers an option that is patently not doable will receive a failing grade.  (For example, if you are a renter and consider installing additional insulation in the house you live, that would be impractical, as the financial cost would be borne by you, while the financial benefits would be reaped by your landlord.)  I would like you to be creative in this project.  We all know about changing to CFL light bulbs, but thatÕs just the beginning.  For example, if youÕre a coffee lover, you might want to think about switching from Folgers to a shade-grown coffee.  With your permission, IÕd like to post all the ideas onto the class website, so we can all learn from each other.  I expect this part of the assignment will be roughly 4-5 pages plus exhibits.

The second part of this assignment is actually implementing your top choice from part one, and then writing up your experiences with it.  It will be due the last day of class.  For example, maybe you decided in part 1 to switch from mass-market coffee to shade grown coffee.  However, you only drink decaf.  Maybe you discovered itÕs almost impossible to find reasonably-priced decaf shade-grown coffee in Duluth.  ThatÕs a worthwhile lesson.  Maybe you found that switching to this type of coffee allowed you to reduce the amount of grounds per pot, so even though the cost per pound was higher, you could make each pound go further.  Again, IÕd like to post your reflection pieces to the web so we can all learn from each other.  This part of the assignment will be 2-3 pages long.

 

F.  Group project

This semester, the group project also deals with issues of global climate change, and business reactions / responses to it.  We will be using the book Getting ahead of the curve: Corporate strategies that address climate change (A.k.a. Carbon strategies: How leading companies are reducing their climate change footprint) for this assignment.  I will assign you into small groups (3-5 students) on the basis of your work experience.  (I want you to be in a familiar setting for this assignment.)  The assignment will involve working through the steps that Hoffman identifies for your organization, at your level.  So for example, if thereÕs a group consisting of a service person at WendyÕs, an assistant manager at McDonaldÕs and a cook at Burger King, I would want you to look at what changes could be made at the individual restaurant level; not the corporate level.

In your report, you will prepare a plan for your organizations to reduce their carbon footprints.  The report should be 10-15 pages long, plus appendices.  It should be of such quality that I could take it and deliver it to your manager and have him/her happy with the product.  You will have significant in-class time to work on this assignment.

 

G. Student survey

            The student survey is very important.  I use it to ÒmeetÓ you as an individual, to help tailor my lectures to the needs of the class, and to help me Òput a face and a name together,Ó which is very important for grading class contribution.  Therefore, I request that all students complete and return the survey (along with a recent photo) no later than Tuesday, January 29th.  Students who fail to do so will be docked 5 percentage points.

 

H.  Incomplete grades

            Incomplete grades will be given only in cases of extreme hardship (such as the death of an immediate family member), and only after you have discussed the matter with me.  Documentation of the hardship will be required.

 

I.  Policy on late / missed papers

            The hand-in assignments are due the class we discuss the related material.  Please hand them in at the end of the class. The written group paper is due at the end of what otherwise would be the final exam (6:00 PM, Wednesday, May 14).  I will consider any paper not in my hands on the date it is due to be late, and I will not accept late papers.  For your individual climate change papers, I would like them in both electronic (i.e., email attachment) and hard copy.

 

J.  Writing Assistance for Written Assignments

            Your ability to write cogently and coherently influences your career success.  Few managers can succeed in business today without strong writing skills.  Therefore, I expect that your written assignments will, at a minimum, be grammatically correct and free of spelling errors.  I reserve the right to evaluate your spelling and grammar when grading your work, and to dock papers up to one full letter grade for poor grammar.

            If you are concerned that your written work is Ònot up to par,Ó I recommend that you contact the Tutoring Center (40 CCtr, 726-6244 or email tutoring@d.umn.edu) for assistance.

 

Excused absences:

            Students may be excused from taking a test or handing in an assignment on the date specified only because of severe unforeseen personal circumstances (e.g. death of an immediate family member, hospitalization) or religious reasons.  Please note that while I recognize that you Òhave a lifeÓ outside this class, I also realize that you & I are committing to be here during class times.  Therefore, I will not excuse you from attending test, exam, or assignment classes for other scheduled activities such as job interviews.  Please do not schedule such activities during ÒimportantÓ class periods.  If you are unable to take the test or exam or hand in your assignment, please let me know in advance, or immediately upon your return.  Students who do not have an adequate reason for missing a quiz or an assignment will be awarded a grade of zero. If you have any questions, please ask me.

 

Students with disabilities:

            ÒIt is University policy to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements.  Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact their instructors early in the semester to discuss their individual needs for accommodations.Ó What this means – please let me know if youÕve got special needs.  My goal is to foster an environment in which all students can maximize their learning experience.  Please let me know if thereÕs anything special I need to do to help you maximize your experience.  Together with Disability Services and Resources, we can work out a reasonable accommodation.  If you feel you need formal special accommodation to meet your needs, it is your duty to contact Disability Services and Resources to arrange for this.  If you take your tests through Disability Services and Resources, I highly recommend that you remind me shortly (one class period) before the test and final that I need to take a copy to them.  (My memory is good, but getting quite short! ☺)

 

Academic integrity and plagiarism:

            I expect that students will act with the highest levels of academic integrity at all times – after all; this is a course on ethics!  Generally, that means that I expect that you will not cheat on assignments, either by copying other studentsÕ work or by plagiarizing from other sources.  Plagiarism is a serious academic violation.  An academicÕs stock (much like an authorÕs) is in ideas, so you should not use other peopleÕs work without properly citing it.  This extends to your fellow class-mates as well.  If (as will inevitably happen) one of your peers says something brilliant you wish you had thought of, you can use their ideas, but only if you cite them as the original source.

Additionally, for all your written work, I expect you to cite and reference your work correctly.  The only exception to this is that, in preparation of your major case assignment, you need not reference material you sourced from the case (although you may choose to do so for practice).  The Management Studies Department has recently adopted a plagiarism policy, now available on the departmental website (http://www.d.umn.edu/sbe/departments/mgmtstudies/Plagiarism.php).  I highly recommend that you read it to ensure you donÕt accidentally run afoul of the rules.

 

Reservation of Rights to Change the Syllabus:

The above syllabus and accompanying course schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.


Tentative Class Schedule

Date

Activity

Week 1

 

Tuesday, January 22

Introduction to the course and review syllabus

Thursday, January 24

Topic: Introduction to business ethics

Readings: Text, chapter 1

Assignment due: ÒWhat is ethics all about?Ó

Week 2

 

Tuesday, January 29

Topic: Why be ethical?

Readings: Text, chapter 2

Case: Merck and river blindness (pages 57-58)

Assignment due: Student survey

Thursday, January 31

Topic:  Common ethical problems (1)

Readings:  Text, chapter 3, pages 66-77

Short Cases:  pages 92-93 (read Òhuman resource issuesÓ and Òconflict of interestÓ)

Week 3

 

Tuesday, February 5

Topic:  Common ethical problems (2)

Readings:  Text, chapter 3, pages 78-91

Short Cases:  page 93 (read Òcustomer confidence issueÓ and Òuse of corporate resourcesÓ)

Thursday, February 7

Topic:  Deciding whatÕs right

Readings:  Text, chapters 4-5

Case:  None

Week 4

 

Tuesday, February 12

Topic:  Deciding whatÕs right (part 2)

Readings:  "Reflections on the Pinto fires case", pages 138-144

Case:  Pinto fires, pages 115-119

Thursday, February 14

Topic:  Ethical problems of managers

Readings:  Text, chapter 6

Short Cases:  pages 176-177

Week 5

 

Tuesday, February 19

Video: ÒObedienceÓ – the Milgram studies

Thursday, February 21

Topic:  Managing for ethical conduct

Readings:  Text, chapter 7

Case:  None – we will spend some time discussing the ÒObedienceÓ video

Week 6

 

Tuesday, February 26

Topic:  Ethical problems of corporations (1)

Readings:  Text, chapter 8

Case:  None

Thursday, February 28

Topic:  Ethical problems of corporations (2)

Readings:  None

Video:  ÒBigger than Enron

Week 7

 

Tuesday, March 4

Topic:  Ethics as organizational culture

Readings:  Text, chapter 9

Case:  None

Thursday, March 6

Topic:  Managing in a global context

Readings:  Text, chapter 11

Video:  ÒHow to talk MinnesotanÓ

Week 8

 

Tuesday, March 11

Topic:  Globalization (1)

Readings:  None

Video:  ÒIs Wal-mart good for America?Ó

Thursday, March 13

Topic:  Globalization (2)

Readings:  None

Video:  ÒThe world is flatÓ

 

 

March 18 & 20

Spring break week – no classes

 

 

Week 9

 

Tuesday, March 25

Mid-term exam

Thursday, March 27

Topic:  Introduction to ÒGetting Ahead of the CurveÓ

Readings:  Hoffman, pages 1-9

Case:  Whirlpool

Week 10

 

Tuesday, April 1

Pre-test on climate change

Thursday, April 3

Professor for a Day

Week 11

 

Tuesday, April 8

Topic:  Assess emissions profile

Readings:  Hoffman, pages 10-14

Case:  None

Thursday, April 10

Topic:  Gauge risks and opportunities

Readings:  Hoffman, pages 14-17

Case:  None

Week 12

 

Tuesday, April 15

Topic:  Evaluate options for technological solutions

Readings:  Hoffman, pages 18-21

Case:  None

Thursday, April 17

Topic:  Set goals & targets

Readings:  Hoffman, pages 21-27

Case:  None

Week 13

 

Tuesday, April 22

Topic:  Differentiating targets and making the business case

Readings:  Hoffman, pages 27-31

Case:  ÒPhysical assets at riskÓ, Hoffman page 32

Thursday, April 28

Topic:  Develop financial mechanisms to support climate programs

Readings:  Hoffman, pages 33-37

Case:  None

Week 14

 

Tuesday, April 29

Topic:  Engage the organization

Readings:  Hoffman, pages 37-44

Case:  None

Thursday, May 1

Topic:  Formulate a policy strategy

Readings:  Hoffman, pages 48-53

Case: 

Week 15

 

Tuesday, May 6

Topic:  Manage external relations

Readings:  Hoffman, pages 53-62

Case:  None

Thursday, May 8

Work day to polish group paper

Final exam

There is no final exam in this course.  Your finished group paper will be due no later than 6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 14 (the time weÕd normally finish the final exam).

 

 

 

Have a GREAT semester!


MgtS 4461 Student Survey

Spring 2008

 

I use this information to get to know you a little better.  I will use the information on this page to develop small groups.  We will use the information on the reverse side of this page for class discussion.

 

Your name:        __________________

 

Your major:        __________________                              Attach your photo here

 

When do you expect to graduate?:

 

                        __________________

 

 

Please tell me a little bit about your work experience.

 

Do you have a current job?[2]           _________________

 

How many hours a week do you work?        ___________

 

Where do you work (what is the name of the organization)?     ________________________

 

What is your job title?      _______________________________

 

What are your job duties?  (Be as detailed as possible.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please think about your career aspirations.  What do you expect to be doing after you graduate?  Feel free to dream a little – I wonÕt share this information with others!  What do you plan to doÉ

 

One year after graduation?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five years after graduation?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Why are you taking this course?  (It was available, I like your teaching style, I need it for my major, etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  What do you hope to learn in this course?  What are your goals?

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. What fears & worries do you have about this course?

 

 

 

 

 

4. What rumors have you heard about the course?

 

 

 

 

 



[1] The text is available on-line from Amazon for $53 new at http://www.amazon.com/Managing-Business-Ethics-Straight-About/dp/0471755257/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200432558&sr=1-1 and from Barnes and Noble for $54 ($48 if youÕre a member) at http://www.amazon.com/Managing-Business-Ethics-Straight-About/dp/0471755257/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200432558&sr=1-1 .  ItÕs also available used.

[2] If you do not have a current job, please give me information about your immediately past job, and indicate how recently you worked there.