Ethics in Business and Society: A Global Perspective
Syllabus - Fall 2006


Course:   LBAR 489 Special Topics Honors Seminar: Ethics in Business and Society:
     A Global Perspective (4-5 pm, Thursdays, Wehner 460d)
Instructor:   Dr. L. M. Smith, CPA, Professor of Accounting.
Office:   WCBA 460D, Phone:  845-3108, E-mail: Lmsmith@tamu.edu
Homepage:   http://acct.tamu.edu/smith

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Date                              Assignment
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"[T]hat we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this new nation,
under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the
people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth" (The Gettysburg Address,
President Lincoln, November 18, 1863).

Sep             13      Get Acquainted Banquet, Hilton Hotel, 5:30 - 7:30.

Sep             21      First Class Meeting.
                              Read "How do you measure success?" and be prepared to discuss.

Sep             28      Read article on Accounting and Business Ethics and be prepared to
                             discuss.

"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
(Dwight D. Eisenhower).

Oct               5       Review  Ethics in Business & Society: Selected Quotations and be
                              prepared to discuss.

Oct              12      No class in lieu of dinner on Oct 13.

Oct              13      Dinner at Dr. Smith's class, 6 pm. Guest: Col. Rick Mallahan.
                              Bring a question that relates to the military or TAMU Corps of Cadets.

Oct              19      Continue discussion of articles and quotes.

Oct             26       Bring to class a short article (can be from a website) about a person
                              widely regarded as a hero.  We will discuss the person's character and
                              their contribution to society.   

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and
slavery?  Forbid it, Almighty God!  I know not what course others may take, but
as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" Patrick Henry).

Nov              2       Bring to class a short article on corporate social responsibility (CSR)
                              and information about your selected corporation's ethics code,
                              particularly as it relates to some aspect of CSR (e.g. employee
                              relations, protecting the environment, etc.). Be prepared to discuss.

Nov              9       Watch video cases in class about ethical dilemmas and discuss.

Nov            16       Continue video cases.

Nov            23        No class: Thanksgiving holiday.

                               On September 6, 1620, the Mayflower set sail from England. Ten
                               perilous weeks later, the Pilgrims arrived on the northern tip of
                               Cape Cod. On November 11, 1620, in the Mayflower Compact, a
                               small band of ordinary people signed a covenant to build a new life
                               together. Among its key clauses were these words: "Having
                               undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian
                               Faith . . . a voyage to plant the First Colony . . . [we] solemnly . . . in
                               the presence of God and of one another, Covenant . . . ourselves
                               together into a Civil Body Politic. . . . "

Nov           30         Last class day: Provide in-class essays on the following:
                               1. How does personal integrity affect the success of an
                                   individual, an organization, and society at large?
                               2. Pick a person you admire for their virtuous life. Describe
                                   their contribution to the world.
                               3. Describe the importance of corporate social responsibility.

"O beautiful for spacious skies,...  O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating
strife, Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life!
America!  America!  May God thy gold refine, Til all success be nobleness And
every gain divine! (America the Beautiful, Katherine Lee Bates)

Course Policies:

Ethics and Scholastic Dishonesty:

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is above reproach in their own course-related actions.  Scholastic dishonesty is discussed in Honor Council Rules and Procedures. Dishonest acts include, but are not limited to: copying, sharing, or obtaining information from any unauthorized source during examinations, quizzes, or other assignments; attempting to take credit for the intellectual creation of another person; falsifying information; giving information about a test, quiz or assignment to students in the same or other sections of the course. I believe in the Aggie honor code:

                            An Aggie do not lie, cheat or steal
                            or tolerate those who do.

Unless otherwise specified, all work is to be done individually.  Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  The full consequences of scholastic dishonesty will be pursued, consistent with university policy as it appears in the Honor Council Rules and Procedures (http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor).

For all assignments, I expect each student to be able to sign the following statement:

"On my honor, as an Aggie, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work."

                                                        ______________________________
                                                        Signature of student

Other policies:

ADA statement: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, visit http//disability.tamu.edu (http://disability.tamu.edu/) , call 845-1637 or go to Cain Hall, Room B118. Please let me know if I can be of assistance with any special needs; I will do everything that I can to help all my students with their educational process.

Final Exams. When a student is scheduled for three final examinations in one day, the student may request his or her dean rescheduling of one of the three examinations.  The dean, department head, and faculty member will make every effort to accommodate the student when a request is made.

STUDENT INFORMATION FORM (Optional):

1. Name:

    Major:

    Any prior classes with Dr. Smith?

2. What's your background?  (e.g. Where are you from?  or Why did you pick Texas A&M?)
 
 

3. Work Experience:
    a. Currently working? If so, briefly describe:

    b. Previous work experience:  (Briefly describe) 


4. Overall GPR: __________
 

5. Member of any organizations? If so, briefly describe:


6. Career Interests:
 
 

7. Who's someone you admire?  Why?
 
 

8. What's a movie or book you like?  Why?
 
 

9. How do you define success?
 
 

10. Anything else you would like to tell me: