Business and Society

Required Text
There is no textbook for this course. Each week has articles for you to review.

Course Description
This intermediate course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of business and how it relates to
society as a whole. The major topics include the corporation in society, the business and the social environment,
business and the ethical environment, business and government in a global society, the corporation and the natural
environment, business and technological change, and business and the media. A systems-thinking approach is central to
the course, wherein business, government and society are so closely intertwined that an action that affects one will
inevitably affect the others. The corporations responsibilities to primary and secondary stakeholders, both economic and
ethical, are studied in light of various social issues.

Course Objectives
Upon completing this course you will be able to:

Discuss the benefits of strategic philanthropy

Analyze the rationale for government regulation of business
Identify the keys to developing an effective organizational ethics program
Evaluate the importance of the Consumer Protection Laws as well and as the significance of the Six Consumer
Rights
Summarize the influence technology has on business and society
Describe the role of business in a global environment as it relates to social responsibility and environmental
issues
1.
Tentative Schedule
Reading "Weekly Related Articles"
Week 1: Social Responsibility and Lecture "Social Responsibility of Business"
Stakeholder Relationships Discussion "Importance of Social Responsibility"
Assignment "Social Responsibility of Business"
Reading "Weekly Related Articles"
Week 2: Corporate Governance, Legal, Lecture "Corporate Governance"
Regulatory, Political Issues, and Business Lecture "Government Regulation of Business"
Ethics Discussion "Regulation of Business"
Assignment "Business Regulations"
Reading "Weekly Related Articles"
Lecture "Ethics in the Workplace"
Week 3: Strategic Approaches to Improving
Lecture "Employer of Choice"
Ethical Behavior and Employee Relations
Discussion "Ethics in the Workplace"
Assignment "Employer of Choice"
Week 4: Consumer Relations Reading "Weekly Related Articles"

Week 5: Community Relations and Strategic
Philanthropy
Week 6: Technology
Week 7: Sustainability Issues and Social
Responsibility in a Global Environment
Week 8: Review and Reflection
Lecture "Consumer Protection Laws and
Responsibilities of Consumers"
Lecture "Six Consumer Rights"
Discussion "Consumer Protection Laws"
Assignment "Six Rights of the Consumer"
"Midterm"
Reading "Weekly Related Articles"
Lecture "Corporate Governance"
Lecture "Strategic Philanthropy"
Discussion "Benefits of Strategic Philanthropy"
Assignment "Strategic Philanthropy for
Organizations"
Reading "Weekly Related Articles"
Lecture "Technology's Influence on Society and
How Best to Manage it"
Discussion "Impact of Technology on Society"
Assignment "Technology's Influence on Society"
Reading "Weekly Related Articles
Lecture "Role of Business in a Global
Environment"
Lecture "Environmental Issues Faced by
Business and Society"
Discussion "Nature of Sustainability As It
Relates to Social Responsibility"
Assignment "Environmental Issues Faced by
Business and Society"
Discussion "Review & Reflection"
"Final Exam"

Work must be submitted by 11:59 PM C.S.T. on the due date

Grading Policy
Assignment Percentage
Discussions 20%
Assignments 35%
Midterm 20%
Final 25%
Expected Student Workload
The following table outlines the academic effort required for you to be successful in this course. While the times in the
table are approximate, it is presented to help with your time management. If you have any questions or concerns, please
direct them to your instructor or student advisor.

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.5

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 0.0

1 Readings 1.0

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.5

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 0.0

2 Readings 1.0

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.6

Online Discussions 3.0

3
Assignments 0.0

Preparation Readings 1.0

 Discussions 2.0

Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.7

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 2.0

4 Readings 1.0

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 12.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 1.0

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 0.0

5 Readings 0.7

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 1.0

Online Discussions 3.0

6 Assignments 0.0

Readings 1.0
Preparation
Discussions 2.0
 Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.6

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 0.0

7 Readings 1.0

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.4

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 2.0

8 Readings 0.0

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 3.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

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