BUS 682: SEMINAR ON BUSINESS IN SOCIETY

San Francisco State University

Spring 2015
Office: Bus 203f

Ed Sorensen
E-mail: eds@sfsu.edu
Office Hours:

M 8-9 a.m.; 12-1 p.m.; 6-7 p.m.;

and by appointment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a seminar course which explores the evolution of firms and their representatives within
the context of the economic, political, legal, ethical, and social environment in which firms
operate. We do this by investigating the actual behavior of firms and their stakeholders in case
studies and student presentations. The case studies will focus on decision-making within a firm
and managerial strategies for dealing with the environmental factors listed above. In addition to
case study analysis, student teams will engage in debates focused on topics that affect business
decision-making when the environmental factors that influence the firm are altered.
Except for periodic brief lectures, the instructor's role in this process is limited. I will act as a
facilitator of class discussion and as a moderator of class presentations. Significant student
participation in this process is actively encouraged. As a seminar course, class size is kept
relatively small to allow every student the opportunity to engage in this process.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The primary objective is to develop each students decision-making skills to enable you as a
manager to effectively identify and respond to complex and changing environmental and social
challenges facing businesses. The use of the Socratic Method in our case study analysis will also
enable you to improve your communications and critical thinking skills. This course will also
help students to broaden their awareness of the role of business in society and to develop ethical
principles as they relate to the decision-making of the firm and apply these principles to student
presentations and to the case studies we will review.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
1. Read a business case study and identify the key environmental factors that influenced that
firms decision making process.
2. Apply both stakeholder and market capitalism theories of firm behavior to their analysis of a
business actual behavior.
3. Analyze the ethical behavior of a firm when confronted with a change in the environmental
forces that influence that firm.
4 Develop and defend a business related topic in a debate format.
5. Research and develop a paper related to their debate topic.
6. Work effectively in a team with respect to the oral and written presentation of a debate topic.

PREREQUISITE COURSES
Management 405 and Business 300, with a grade of C-or better.
Students will not be allowed to take these courses concurrently with Business 682.

REQUIRED BOOK
Business, Government, and Society (13th ed.), by George Steiner and John Steiner.
ISBN: 9780078112676
Class meetings for the first part of the course will focus on discussions of Steiner and Steiner
case studies. While a brief lecture covering the relevant chapter material may precede each case
study, the majority of class time is reserved for class participation. Class meetings for the
remainder of the semester will focus on student debate topics. A small portion of time at the
beginning of each class may be devoted to discussing current events that relate to course
material. It is expected that students maintain knowledge of current events that relate to the
subject matter of this course. Additional course readings will be made available either as in class
handouts or will be posted to the class web site.

OFFICIAL POLICIES OF THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Students must enroll in classes during the first four weeks of the semester. Students will not be
permitted to add later even if they have attended all classes, taken all exams, and otherwise
completed all course requirements.
University policy is that withdrawals are permitted only for serious and compelling reasons.
College of Business policy is that withdrawal petitions during weeks five through twelve will be
processed and approved (in BUS 112) if the instructor has approved the request and the student
has no previous "W" grade for that course at SFSU. Students are prohibited from withdrawing
from the same course more than once for any reason.
There is a Disability Programs and Resource Center located on campus to facilitate a reasonable
accommodation process for students with disabilities.

GENERAL COURSE POLICIES

1. Students are expected to have read the assigned material before the start of each class.
2. Students are expected to contribute to class discussion for each case study and during the
question and answer period for each debate.
3. Attendance is required. Students are expected to come to class every day and to be on time.
4. Any student who disrupts anothers debate topic will have their grade reduced. Please show
respect for your fellow students and be on time for debate presentations.
5. Withdrawal from the course will not be approved if your departure adversely affects your
debate partners. It is your responsibility to make sure that your obligations to your fellow
students are met.

GRADING SCHEDULE
Chapter quizzes, worth 20% of your course grade. These multiple choice quizzes are based on
the theories and materials covered in class both from the textbook and also posted to the class
web site. Chapter quizzes exclude the chapter case studies.
There is an oral presentation (the debate) that includes a written researched outline, worth 20%
of your course grade. Each student will be assigned a team member to debate an opposing two
member team on an assigned topic. Each team will receive a team grade for their debate.
There is one essay per team, worth 20% of your course grade. The essay topic will consist of a
research paper based on your team presentation, including a critique of the opposition argument.
Each team will receive a team grade for their research paper.
There is one midterm exam, worth 10% of your course grade. The midterm exam will focus on
the case studies we discuss in class prior to the midterm and the relevant key concepts from their
respective chapters.
There is a final exam, worth 30% of your course grade. The final exam will focus on the
remaining case studies and all of the key concepts we discuss in class.
Class participation counts as extra credit and is worth an additional 20% of the course grade!

GRADING POINTS DISTRIBUTION

# of Assignments
Chapter Quizzes
Midterm Exam
Debate
Research Paper
Final Exam
Total
(Extra Credit)

Total Points per

Assignment
20
40
80
80
120

4
1
1
1
1

Total
Points
80
40
80
80
120
400

80

COURSE GRADE CALCULATION

Points

Letter Grade

Points

Letter Grade

361-400
341-360
321-340
301-320
281-300

A
AB+
B
B-

261-280
241-260
221-240
201-221
0-200

C+
C
CD
F

GRADING POLICIES
1. Students who wish to receive extra credit must post to the class journal citing their
contributions to class discussion and must have their picture uploaded to the class web site.
Journal entries must be posted by the end of each weeks activities to receive credit.
2. Class participation will be evaluated based on the quality and consistency of your comments.
This implies that your comments are clearly expressed and reflect careful preparation and
reasoned analysis. Comments and questions should advance the discussion.
3. Use of personal communications devices in class (e.g., cell phones, i-pods, smart phones, etc.)
is strictly prohibited. Any use in class will result in a lower class participation grade. Use of a
laptop or tablet is a privilege that will be revoked if used for anything other than class business.
4. The questions for both the midterm and final exams are all essays. Students are required to
submit their answers in a large exam book (green book) provided by the student.
5. Testable exam materials include the in-text case studies, key concepts applied to the case
studies, and any additional materials introduced in class discussion relevant to the case studies.
6. Make-up exams will not be given without consent of instructor prior to exam date. By
enrolling in this class, you agree to be available to take the midterm and final exams on their
assigned times and days. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero for that exam.
7. Each student will be assigned a team member to research and debate a topic, either pro or con.
Students who pass the midterm and participate regularly will be given assignment priority.
8. Debate outlines are due Wednesday, March 11th. Any team that fails to submit a complete
and properly formatted outline by the deadline will receive a failing grade for their debate.
Finalized outlines need to be posted to the class web site in a timely fashion to give the class an
opportunity to review the outlines prior to each debate and frame good questions.
9. Your research paper is due the week following your debate. Detailed guidelines and
instructions for both the debate outline and the research paper are posted to the class web site.
10. Late or incomplete assignments will not be accepted without the consent of the instructor
prior to due date. Any assignment that fails to follow the posted instructions will be considered
late.
11. Students will receive points for each of the five graded components of this course. Scores
will be posted to the class grade book as soon as they are available. The final course grade is
based on the total cumulative points of these individual components as listed above.
12. Attendance will be taken at the start of every class. Any student not present when roll is
called will be considered absent. Every absence will result in a 20 point penalty to that students
overall score. Each student will be allowed one absence or lateness without penalty.

DEBATE RULES AND FORMAT

1. Each debate group will be composed of two teams who will debate opposing sides of an
assigned topic. Each team will consist of two members.
2. Each team must write an outline, which should clearly state that team's thesis and supporting
arguments and should not exceed two pages in length, not including references. On a separate
page, all major references should be listed, including at least five peer reviewed journal articles.
3. Outlines must be uploaded to the class web site by the deadline and must strictly adhere to the
formatting and research rules laid out in the Debate Guidelines posted to the class web site. Each
team is required to provide a copy of their outline to the opposing team by the deadline.
4. Each team will pick one of its members to present all of that teams arguments detailed in its
outline. Each teams initial presentation should strictly adhere to that team's outline.
5. The second team member from each team will be responsible to present a rebuttal directed
solely at the opposition arguments as stated in their outline.
6. Pro side begins every debate. Presenters will alternate between pro and con. Each team
members portion of the debate should be between five to eight minutes long.
7. Teams will be penalized for exceeding their allotted time.
8. A question and answer period follows each debate. Audience members are encouraged to ask
questions which will count as class participation. Instructor will assume the role of moderator.

Debate evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

1. The quality of your outline and how closely your team adhered to it in oral presentation.
2. Whether or not your team adequately researched your topic.
3. Whether or not the rebuttal adhered to a point by point critique of the opposition outline, and
how well thought out were your rebuttal arguments?
4. How well did you engage your audience? Did you speak in a clear voice, make good eye
contact, and manage your time well? Did your audience clearly understand your argument?
5. Whether or not your team was able to elicit questions from the audience. And how well did
your team respond to the questions posed to it?
6. Whether or not both team members were actively engaged in the Q&A portion of the debate.
7. A sample of the Debate Evaluation Form will be posted to the class web site. A single grade
will be assigned to each team for their team debate performance.

DEBATE TOPICS (additional debate topics may also be proposed)

1. Should the federal government ban offshore oil drilling in the United
States?
2. Should commercial nuclear power plants in the United States be
decommissioned?
3. Should CAF standards requiring auto manufacturers to achieve a fleet
wide minimum of 35 mpg by 2020 be repealed?
4. Should the federal government have bailed out the American automobile
industry?
5. Should the Affordable Care Act be repealed?
6. Should pharmaceutical firms be required by law to provide life-saving
drugs to individuals at more affordable prices?
7. Should the Dodd-Frank Act be repealed?
8. Should Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac be liquidated?
9. Should corporate contributions to PACs be limited to $1 million per year?
10. Should the Marketplace Fairness Act be enacted into law?
11. Should the tax on long-term capital gains be increased to 28%?
12. Should the federal minimum wage be increased to $10.10 per hour?

Ed Sorensen
Spring 2015

BUS 682
Exam Questions

The following questions are representative of the questions you will be asked on both the
midterm and final. In addition, each case study will have at least one case study specific
question.
1. Analyze at least two facts specific to each case study are consistent with the Market
Capitalism Model of competitive markets.
2. Analyze at least two facts specific to each case study are not consistent with the Market
Capitalism Model of competitive markets.
3. Analyze at least two facts specific to each case study are consistent with the Stakeholder
Model of competitive markets.
4. Analyze at least two facts specific to each case study are not consistent with the Stakeholder
Model of competitive markets.
5. Describe one specific business practice in each case study that stood out as tremendously
innovative. Explain your answer, particularly why you consider this practice to be innovative.
6. Create a mission statement for the firm in the case study that incorporates the concept of
corporate social responsibility from the perspective of the Market Capitalism Model. Was this
consistent with how the firm actually behaved?
7. Create a mission statement for the firm in the case study that incorporates the concept of
corporate social responsibility from the perspective of the Stakeholder Model. Was this
consistent with how the firm actually behaved?
8. Describe the specific role, if any, that the government played in each case study. Was the
government's actions influenced in any way by the firm?
9. Pick one of the fourteen different theories of ethical behavior detailed in chapter 8 and
describe how it is consistent with the Market Cap theory. Explain your answer.
10. Pick one of the fourteen different theories of ethical behavior detailed in chapter 8 and
describe how it is consistent with the firm's actual behavior. Explain your answer.
11. Analyze one external factor that changed and had an impact on the behavior of the firm in the
case study.

Business 682

Spring 2015

Weekly Schedule of Events (Wednesdays):

1/28

Topic:

Introduction; Course Overview and Goals.

Topic:
Readings:

The Market Capitalism Model

Steiner and Steiner, Ch. 1 and key concepts

Topic:
Readings:

The Stakeholder Model

Steiner and Steiner, Ch. 1 and key concepts

2/4

Topic:
Readings:
Case Study:

Business Power
Steiner and Steiner, Ch. 3
The Standard Oil Trust
(Last day to drop class: Friday, February 6th.)

2/11

Topic:
Readings:
Case Study:

Business Power
Steiner and Steiner, Ch. 4
A Campaign against KFC

Topic:
Readings:
Case Study:

Corporate Social Responsibility

Steiner and Steiner, Ch. 5
The Jack Welch Era at General Electric

2/18

Topic:

Midterm Exam

2/25

Topic:

Midterm analysis

Topic:

Assign Debate Teams and Topics

Topic:
Readings:
Case Study:

Making Ethical Decisions in Business

Steiner and Steiner, Ch. 8
Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation
(Note: this case study is posted to the class web site.)

Topic:
Readings:
Case Study:

Government Regulation of Business

Steiner and Steiner, Ch. 10
The FDA and Tobacco Regulation
(Note: this case study is posted to the class web site.)

3/4

3/11

3/18

Topic:
Readings:
Case Study:

Multinational Corporations
Steiner and Steiner, Ch. 11
Union Carbide Corporation and Bhopal

Topic:
Readings:
Case Study:

Environmental Policy
Steiner and Steiner, Ch. 13
Owls, Loggers, and Old-Growth Forests
(Note: this case study is posted to the class web site.)

Topic:

Debate outline due

Topic:

Debate consultations

3/25
4/1

4/8

4/15

4/22

Spring Break (no class)

Topic:

Debate 1

Topic:

Debate consultations

Topic:

Debate 2

Topic:

Debate 3

Topic:

Debate 4

Topic:

Debate 5

Topic:

Debate 6

Topic:

Debate 7
(Last day to withdraw with W: Friday, April 24th.)

4/29
5/6

Thanksgiving Break (No Class)

Topic:

Debate 8

Topic:

Debate 9

5/13

Topic:

Review

5/20

Topic:

Final Exam

This syllabus is a contractual agreement that is intended to give the student guidance in
what will be covered during the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. The
instructor does reserve the right to modify, supplement and make changes if necessary.
Continued registration in this course means that you agree to the policies and procedures
outlined in this syllabus.

Mission Statement
The mission of the College of Business at San Francisco State University is to provide high
quality business education to a diverse learning community through innovative teaching,
research, and service.
We fulfill this mission by preparing undergraduate and graduate students and the larger
community to have successful careers through:
student engagement, learner centered activities, learner feedback and diverse teaching
methods.
relevant and distinctive basic and applied scholarship
service to the Bay Area community.
The strategic goals of the College of Business are social justice, internationalization, innovation,
and investment in faculty, staff, and students.