Final_Prof. Lori

Summary

BA 300: Ethical Decision-Making in Business introduces students to analyzing business issues through an ethical lens. The course covers six decision-making rules, applies them to real-world scenarios, and examines corporate structures and whistleblowing. Aligned with BSBA goals, it fosters effective communication, critical thinking, ethical problem-solving, and a global perspective. Students explore the ethical dimensions of decisions, the roles of various stakeholders, and practical application of ethical frameworks. Structured in four units, the course promises an intellectually stimulating journey, equipping students with the skills to thoughtfully navigate complex ethical challenges in business and prepare for future careers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Business ethics and ethical decision-making are more common in daily discussions and news than we might realize. These concepts often emerge when discussing business scandals or questionable corporate practices.
• 😀 The course aims to provide students with structured tools for analyzing ethical decisions in business, making it easier to tackle such issues analytically.
• 😀 Six different decision rules will be taught throughout the course to help students apply ethical decision-making frameworks to real-world business situations.
• 😀 Students will be tasked with exploring ethical business issues in the news to understand how ethical theories can be applied in practical scenarios.
• 😀 The course will also delve into how corporations operate and the broader implications of American business practices towards the end.
• 😀 One of the goals of the broader program is to produce 'effective communicators.' The course will foster communication skills through discussions of ethical challenges.
• 😀 'Critical thinking' is emphasized, particularly in the context of looking at business decisions through a more sophisticated, ethical lens.
• 😀 The course aligns with the goal of preparing students to 'analyze ethical problems,' which is directly applicable to addressing moral challenges in business settings.
• 😀 A global perspective will be explored, especially in relation to ethical decision-making in international business contexts.
• 😀 The four learning objectives of the course include understanding the ethical dimensions of decisions, the roles of various parties involved, and the application of ethical rules.
• 😀 The course will be intellectually stimulating and challenging, but ultimately rewarding, especially when students are able to look back on their learning.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the course?

The main focus of the course is ethical decision-making in business. It aims to help students analyze business issues through an ethical lens, explore various ethical theories and principles, and apply them in real-world business scenarios.

Why might the term 'business ethics' be daunting for students?

The term 'business ethics' can be daunting because it deals with complex moral dilemmas and decision-making in business, which might seem overwhelming at first. However, the course aims to simplify and provide a structured way of thinking about these issues.

How often do business ethics issues come up in daily discussions or news?

Business ethics issues are very common in daily discussions and the news, especially when scandals or questionable actions by businesses are reported. People often criticize businesses for unethical behavior, making ethics a frequent topic of conversation.

What are the six decision rules discussed in the course?

The six decision rules are ethical principles or frameworks that students will learn and apply in different business situations. They serve as guidelines to analyze ethical issues from various perspectives. The specific rules are not detailed in the transcript, but students will explore them in depth during the course.

How will students engage with real-world ethical issues during the course?

Students will engage with real-world ethical issues by digging through news stories and case studies to analyze and apply the six ethical decision-making rules to actual business scenarios.

How does this course align with the broader goals of the BSBA program?

The course aligns with the BSBA program by helping students become effective communicators, critical thinkers, and ethical decision-makers. It also emphasizes global perspectives on business ethics, all of which are key goals of the program.

What are the four student learning objectives for this course?

The four student learning objectives are: 1) examining the ethical dimensions of decisions, 2) understanding the roles of various parties involved in decision-making, 3) applying ethical decision-making rules, and 4) analyzing business issues through an ethical lens.

What is covered in the first unit of the course?

The first unit focuses on the big-picture ethical decision-making process, where students will explore a model of decision-making with various components and how they relate to ethical choices in business.

What is the focus of the second unit of the course?

The second unit delves deeper into one specific part of the decision-making model, focusing on the six ethical decision-making rules. Students will study each rule in detail and learn how to apply them to business situations.

What is the final segment of the course about?

The final segment of the course covers whistleblowing, specifically when and how to report unethical behavior within a corporation. While the hope is that students never have to whistleblow, the course prepares them for this possibility.