PHIL 2628 - Business Ethics
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 05, CRN 41128,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Zachary Robbins
Email: zjrobbins@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 | Vopat and Tomhave | 978-1554814305 |
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 | All readings come from the required textbook. | Students should obtain the text, familiarize themselves with the BlackBoard site, download and print the syllabus and the Moral Theory reading packet, and report any difficulties to the instructor. Begin working on the next module. | Familiarize yourself with Blackboard, the course material, and course navigation. Create a "Student Introductions" Discussions Post |
| 8/31 | “On the Disconnect between Business and Professional Ethics,” Alan Tomhave and Mark C. Vopat | Introduction to Moral Theory | Watch Course Lectures Discussion Post 1 Quiz 1 |
| 9/7 | From Utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill From Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant |
Introduction to Moral Theory | Watch Course Lectures |
| 9/14 | From Utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill From Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant |
Introduction to Moral Theory | Quiz 2 Discussion Post 2 |
| 9/21 | From Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes From Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle “On the Harmony of Feminist Ethics and Business Ethics,” Janet Borgerson |
Moral Theories Continued | Watch Course Lectures |
| 9/28 | From Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes From Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle “On the Harmony of Feminist Ethics and Business Ethics,” Janet Borgerson |
Moral Theories Continued | Discussion Post 3 Quiz 3 |
| 10/5 | From Smith, "The Wealth of Nations" The Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx and Frederick Engels “The Why’s of Business Revisited,” Ronald F. Duska “The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits,” Milton Friedman |
Morality & The Nature of Business | Chapter Review Paper (Blackboard) Watch Course Lectures |
| 10/12 | From Smith, "The Wealth of Nations" The Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx and Frederick Engels “The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits,” Milton Friedman “The Why’s of Business Revisited,” Ronald F. Duska |
Morality & The Nature of Business | Discussion Post 4 Quiz 4 |
| 10/19 | “Social Responsibility and Economic Efficiency,” Kenneth J. Arrow “Noxious Markets,” Debra Satz |
Ethical Markets | Watch Course Lectures |
| 10/26 | “Social Responsibility and Economic Efficiency,” Kenneth J. Arrow “Noxious Markets,” Debra Satz |
Ethical Markets | Quiz 5 Discussion Post 5 |
| 11/2 | “Is Business Bluffing Ethical?” Albert Z. Carr “The Business of Ethics,” Norman Chase Gillespie |
Deception in Business | Watch Course Lectures |
| 11/9 | “Is Business Bluffing Ethical?” Albert Z. Carr “The Business of Ethics,” Norman Chase Gillespie |
Deception in Business | Discussion Post 6 Quiz 6 |
| 11/16 | “Corporate Moral Agency,” Peter A. French “Corporate Moral Agency: The Case for Anthropological Bigotry,” John R. Danley |
Corporate Personhood | Watch Course Lectures Case Study Paper (See Blackboard Assignment) |
| 11/23 | “Corporate Moral Agency,” Peter A. French “Corporate Moral Agency: The Case for Anthropological Bigotry,” John R. Danley |
Corporate Personhood | Quiz 7 Discussion Post 7 |
| 11/30 | “The Fourth Wave: The Ethics of Corporate Downsizing,” John Orlando “Decency Means More Than ‘Always Low Prices’: A Comparison of Costco to Walmart’s Sam’s Club,” Wayne F. Cascio |
Ethical Business Practice | Watch Course Lectures |
| 12/7 | ““The Fourth Wave: The Ethics of Corporate Downsizing,” John Orlando “Decency Means More Than ‘Always Low Prices’: A Comparison of Costco to Walmart’s Sam’s Club,” Wayne F. Cascio |
Ethical Business Practice | Extra Credit Discussion Post 8 Quiz 8 |
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.