University of Texas at Dallas

ISSS 3360: Politics and Values in Business and Technology

Fall 2006

Instructor: Dr. Brian Bearry Teaching Assistant: Mukul Sharma

Office: GR 2.114 ext. 4557 Office:
Office hrs: by appointment office hours TBA, and by appointment
email: bxb022100@utdallas.edu email:

Textbook:
Business Ethics 6th edition. Richard DeGeorge, Pearson/Prentice Hall Publishing

Course description:

This lecture course will offer a social science survey of current business practices and the normative value
systems by which they operate and are regulated. The study of politics and values in business and technology
involves an analysis of three interrelated areas: economics, politics and law, and ethics. We shall begin with an
introduction to two major systems of normative values—utilitarianism and rights based ethics. Additionally, we will
briefly explore the influence of virtue ethics on the evolution of modern value systems. We shall then proceed to an
examination of selected topics of concern in the field of business and technology, using case studies to apply the
different theories of behavior and practice. Especially relevant will be the concern for how current business
practices are influenced by culture, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and by political institutions and contemporary
technological developments. The course goal will be to 1) raise awareness of the larger social impact of
technological and economic developments; 2) develop a working vocabulary of evaluative terms and concepts
derived from political, economic and ethical theory, and 3) apply this evaluative vocabulary in formulating and
critiquing arguments and decisions regarding ethical problems that are raised.

Course requirements and grading:

Attendance is expected and required. The exams will consist almost equally of lecture and reading
material. Please note, not all material covered in lecture and on the exams will be found in your text.
There will be four exams for this course; however, you will lose 5% of your grade for every three absences.
Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Four exams 25% each

Total 100%

And of course, for those with excessive absences, there will be a reduction in the value of your final grade.

All exams and the course grade will be determined by the following scale:

A: 94-100 B-: 80-83 D+: 67-69

A-: 90-93 C+: 77-79 D: 64-66
B+: 87-89 C: 74-76 D-: 60-63
B: 84-86 C-: 70-73 F: below 60

Class rules and grades:

1. email: You must put your full name on all email correspondence. Emails sent without a name will not
be answered. We will NOT send exam, quiz, assignment and final grades via email. You may
receive your grades when exams, etc., are returned during or after class, or you may drop by my or the
TA’s office hours to receive your grades and other pertinent material.

2. You may not reschedule an exam for any reason—except for a documented medical emergency.

3. In order for you to receive an excused absence, you must notify me or the Teaching Assistant prior
 to class; or you must have a documented medical emergency; otherwise, all absences and tardies will
be considered unexcused.

5. All grades are final (unless there is a mistake when determining a grade—this does happen).
The time to be concerned with a grade is during the semester, not after. When challenging a grade, it is the
responsibility of the student to produce the requisite materials. There is no extra credit given in this class.

DO NOT BRING CELL PHONES INTO EXAMS. ANYONE CAUGHT WITH A CELL PHONE OR ANY
OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WILL IMMEDIATELY RECEIVE A 0 (F) FOR
THAT EXAM.

University Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty:

It is the policy of the University of Texas at Dallas that cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated under any
circumstances. Violations will result in immediate disciplinary action to the fullest extent of the policy, which can
range from automatically failing an exam to dismissal from the University. See the University catalog for a detailed
explanation.

3360.001
Course outline and reading:

Aug 21--first day of class; course introduction

Aug 23--lecture (classical ethics and introductory concepts) [Thucydides, Plato and Aristotle]
Aug 28--De George, ch. 2 entire (introduction cont.)
Aug 30--De George, ch. 3 entire (utilitarianism)
Sept 4--Labor Day; no class
Sept 6--De George, ch. 4 entire (Kantianism, rights and justice)
Sept 11--De George, ch. 5 entire (rights, justice and virtue ethics)
Sept 13--lecture and exam review
Sept 18--EXAM #1
Sept 20--De George, ch. 6 entire (justice and economics)
Sept 25--De George, ch 7 entire (justice and economics)
Oct 2--De George, ch. 8 pp. 180-198 (corporate ethical theory)
Oct 4--De George, ch 8 pp. 198-209 (corporate ethical theory)
Oct 9--lecture and exam review
Oct 11--EXAM #2
Oct 16--De George, ch 19 entire (international business and globalization)
Oct 18--De George, ch. 21 entire (international business and globalization)
Oct 23--De George, ch. 14 entire (work and workers rights)
Oct 25--De George, ch. 15 entire (work and workers rights cont.)
Oct 30--De George, ch. 16 pp. 417-430 (discrimination and affirmative action)
Nov 1--De George, ch. 16 pp. 430-445 (discrimination and affirmative action cont.)
Nov 6--lecture and exam review
Nov 8--EXAM #3
Nov 13--De George, ch. 13 pp. 323-335 (marketing)
Nov 15--De George, ch 13 pp. 336-351 (marketing)
Nov 20--De George, ch 17 entire (property and technology)
Nov 22--De George, ch 18 entire (privacy and technology)
Nov 24--Thanksgiving Break; no class
Nov 27--final exam review
Nov 29--FINAL EXAM