3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

This course examines the role of ethics in business decision making, with an eye to corporate governance and accountability. Beginning with an exploration of their own values and beliefs, students develop an awareness of the role of emotion, reason, and culture in moral judgments. Through readings, films, and discussion, students sharpen their ability to argue and negotiate from ethical principles. They then apply these tools to an examination of issues impacting contemporary business, ranging from work/life balance to intellectual property, whistleblowing, and insider trading. The course concludes with a look at recent scandals (Enron, WorldCom, the subprime mortgage crisis) and the role of boards of directors, shareholders, managers, employees, governments, rating agencies, and other stakeholders in holding businesses accountable, in the United States and globally.