PHIL 2628 - Business Ethics
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41536,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dylan Dunn
Email: dddunn@ysu.edu
Course Description
2628. Business Ethics. Examines ethical problems in business, ethical responsibilities of business professional, and business as a global institution. Topics include the corporation, at-will employment, unions, technology, privacy, advertising, whistle-blowing, globalization, environmental impact, human rights, just distribution, affirmative action and cultural diversity. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Business Ethics: The Big Picture, ed. Mark C. Vopat and Alan Tomhave | Broadview Press | 978-1554814305 |
| Required | Additional Readings on Various Topics (provided in Blackboard) |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Review syllabus Content Exploration Ensure access to all content Class Introduction (Discussion Board) |
Course Intro | All work due: 08/30 |
| 8/31 | (Video): What is Morality? (Reading): Textbook: 6. On the Disconnect Between Business and Professional Ethics QUIZ 1 Discussion 1 |
What is Morality? | All work due: 09/06 |
| 9/7 | (Video): The Challenge of Cultural Relativism (Video): Subjectivism + Video Lecture: Notes on the Debate (Video): Morality and Religion? QUIZ 2 Discussion 2 |
Module 2 Moral Relativism Morality and Religion |
All work due: 09/13 |
| 9/14 | Textbook: Chapters 1–3 +(Video Lecture): Introduction to Moral Theory (Video): Social Contract Theory (Video): Utilitarianism (Video): Kantian Moral Theory/Kantianism QUIZ 3 Discussion 3 |
Module 3 Introduction to Moral Theory |
All work due: 09/27 |
| 9/21 | Module 3 Assignments (Contd.) | Module 3 (Contd.) | All work due: 09/27 |
| 9/28 | Textbook: 8. Marx: The Communist Manifesto (+Video Lecture) Textbook: 9. Friedman: “The Responsibility of Business” (+Video Lecture) (Reading): Textbook: 10. Duska: “The Why’s of Business” (+Video Lecture) QUIZ 4 Discussion 4 |
Module 4 Getting Down to Business |
All work due: 10/11 |
| 10/5 | Module 4 Assignments (Contd.) | Module 4 (Contd.) | All work due: 10/11 |
| 10/12 | Textbook: 13. Carr, “Is Business Bluffing Ethical” Textbook: 14. Gillespie, “Business of Ethics” QUIZ 5 Discussion 5 |
Module 5 Truthfulness in Business |
All work due: 10/18 |
| 10/19 | Textbook: 10. French, “Corporate Moral Agency” Textbook: 16. Danly, “Corporate Moral Agency: The Case for Anthropological Bigotry” Video Lecture: Corporate Moral Agency QUIZ 6 Discussion 6 |
Module 6 Corporate Moral Agency |
All work due: 10/25 |
| 10/26 | Case Study Presentation | Case Study | Due: 11/01 |
| 11/2 | Textbook: 17. Orlando, “The Ethics of Corporate Downsizing” Textbook: 18. Cascio, “Decency Means More than ‘Always Low Prices’: A Comparison of Costco to Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club” Video Lecture (Summative) |
Module 7 The Aims of Business |
All work due: 11/15 |
| 11/9 | Module 7 Assignments (Contd.) | Module 7 (Contd.) | All work due: 11/15 |
| 11/16 | Textbook: 22. Arrow, “Social Responsibility and Economic Efficiency” Textbook: 12. Satz, “Noxious Markets” Video Lecture (Summative) Discussion 8 |
Module 8 Responsible Markets |
All work due: 11/22 |
| 11/23 | Structured Debate Paper One of the Following: Textbook: 5. "On the Harmony of Feminist Ethics and Business Ethics," Borgerson Textbook: 11. "The Profit Motive," Flew Blackboard: "Whistleblowing and Employee Loyalty," Larmer Textbook: 21. "Managing for Stakeholders," Freeman Textbook: 20. "Beer and Free Lunches," Ariely Textbook: 23. "Business and Environmental Ethics," Hoffman [11/25–11/29: Holiday: Thanksgiving Break] |
Module 9 | Due: 12/07 |
| 11/30 | Structured Debate Paper (Contd.) | Module 9 (Contd.) | Due: 12/07 |
| 12/7 | Structured Debate Paper (Contd.) | All work due: 12/07 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.