Linfield College
 
BUS 436: Global Perspectives on Law and Ethics

Spring Term 2007

February 17, 2007 through May 24, 2007

Syllabus Rev. 02/01/07

James Coduto, J.D.
email: course email system only

Global Perspectives on Law and Ethics, ed. Coduto, J.A. McGraw Hill Primis, ISBN: 0-390-82867-X (hard copy) available only through Linfield College bookstore. This text is also available through the publisher in PDF format under ISBN: 0-390-836699.

Electronic versions of the text are available at substantial cost savings to the student by placing order direct with the publisher via the Internet. Link to: http://ebooks.primisonline.com. Jump to “Locate the Custom e-book Created by Your Professor” and follow directions for ordering.

This course will address the fundamental legal and ethical challenges of business in the context of a changing, and multicultural world environment. Particular emphasis will be paid to the effects of globalization and its impact on international business and law. This course will also explore the difficulties and risks the manager will face in a multinational corporation where cultures, belief systems and ethical values can be radically different than our own. It will also examine the impact of these differences on the management of a global company.

Junior standing or consent of instructor.

The primary objective of this course is to develop the ability to apply sound legal and ethical reasoning to multinational business issues arising in a culturally diverse and changing global arena. To appreciate the complexity of the legal forces that a manager will face in a multinational corporate environment. To recognize and understand the nuances and differences in cultures and how these differences can affect both positively and negatively a multinational corporation. To recognize and appropriately act upon the ethical and moral choices which govern personal and corporate behaviors. To recognize the importance of effective corporate social responsibility in a changing global environment.

Instructor Biography

I provide legal and regulatory guidance primarily in food, drug and medical device law for domestic and international medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. My primary areas of expertise are in corporate compliance and legal affairs, and the legal aspects of human resource management. I am an owner of an high technology medical device company headquartered in San Jose, California, which manufacturers and markets computerized surgical instrumentation world wide. In addition to my Juris Doctorate degree, I hold a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco as well as a B.A. in Psychology, and a B.S. in Law. I am an adjunct faculty member of Linfield College and Marylhurst University and have instructed numerous courses in business law, international law, and ethics. I have also instructed courses in human resources, organizational development and organizational communication.

The final course grade will be determined by the points you earn (400 points possible) in the following four areas:
 
Weekly Class Discussion 
 
Maximum value: 130 points (13 weekly discussion events @ 10 points per event). There will be no discussion activity during week 14. This class is a discussion intensive course. The student will need to spend a considerable amount of time in on-line discussion to yield full point value for the weekly discussion element of the class. There will be 1 discussion per week which will be posted not later than every Monday. Students are to answer all weekly questions and engage in mutual discussions with their classmates about the discussion question assigned. In addition, the instructor may comment on student postings and ask further questions which the student is expected to answer. Student responses are to incorporate, as much as possible, concepts and ideas from the weekly reading. 

Assigned Text Questions
 
Maximum value: 130 points (26 questions (2 per week) @ 5 points per question). Though there is no minimum number of words or paragraphs to write, you are to respond to the assigned questions in a thoughtful and detailed manner, incorporating your ideas and thoughts along with, as much as possible, concepts from the weekly reading assignment. Question responses are to be submitted in the prescribed format and by the due date indicated. Responses are to be made in a single document only and are to be posted to the submissions section of the course site. Please note: multiple document submittals will not be accepted.
 
Student Discussion Leader

Maximum point value: 40 points. Each student is expected to lead a group discussion about the topic of their choosing from the week's reading which the student selects to be a discussion leader. The student is to formulate a thought provoking question (first submitted to the instructor for review and approval), post the question to the appropriate weekly discussion area and then lead the discussion with their classmates. Student discussion activities will begin in week 2 and end with week 13. Depending on the size of the class more than one student may be involved as a discussion leader in any given week. In this case, it is best to work with each other and develop one question only and decide how to split the discussion activity over the next week. The students are to advise the instructor how sharing arrangements will work in advance of posting the discussion question. Students will need to sign up for the week of their choosing during week 1. A separate discussion area will be set up for sign ups.

Final Paper
 
Maximum point value: 100 points. You may select any of the covered topics from the class text that interests you. You must advise the instructor not later than the end of week 7 what your final paper topic will be. Final papers must be submitted in APA style only. Papers submitted in this style will not be read or graded. An excellent reference of this style paper is a text by Diana Hacker:  A Writer’s Reference (5th. ed. – or later). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s. ISBN# 0-312-41262-2. You may also reference her website for additional information: http://www.dianahacker.com/writersref.

The final paper is to be, at a minimum, 2000 words in length. All sources are to be fully referenced according to the the APA style. Please do no use Wikipedia as a reference source.

The final paper is to be submitted in the prescribed format and by 12:00pm (Noon) on the last day of class.

The standard grading system will be used then converted to a percentage of the total points earned, i.e., (360 points earned is 90% of 400 which would yield a grade of A, etc.). Plus and minus grades are not given.
 
90-100%        A
80-89%          B
70-79%          C
60-69%          D
59-0%            F

Academic Honesty
 
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student found to be engaging in either of these activities at any point in the course will receive a failing grade for the assignment and/or the entire course and may be subject to further college sanctions. This policy will be strictly enforced.
 
Required Writing Format
 
All question responses, and final paper are to be submitted in Microsoft Word®.doc format only. Papers not submitted in this format will not be read or graded.
 
Attendance
 
Students are expected to attend and actively participate in every class meeting. Active involvement of each student in class discussion is essential to your success and the success of the class.
 
Rules of Discussion
 
The classroom is a safe haven within which individuals can discuss the widest possible range of topics without fearing retribution, ridicule, or attack. In order for this to happen, we must assume that we all are persons of intelligence and good will who may ultimately disagree, sometimes to a profound degree, with one another but whose characters are not impugned or intelligence disparaged because of this disagreement. The classroom is not a forum for proselytizing, nor a soapbox for diatribes by either students or faculty. For the academic endeavor to succeed, we must treat each other with civility, courtesy, and respect. All perspectives and questions are welcome, as long as they are impelled by a genuine desire for knowledge, can be articulated thoughtfully, and supported by sound reasoning.
 
Responses to Discussion Questions
 
Your responses should be based upon the readings and/or research you conduct over the course of the term. Additionally, they should be sufficient detail to convey your ideas clearly and intelligently. Please avoid “I agree” type comments such as: “I agree with what you are saying…”, etc. unless you adequately and with sufficient detail provide further comment and substantiation. Such comments add little to the discussion and are time consuming for the other students to read. Unsubstantiated “I agree” type  responses will not be counted as an indication of your participation in the discussion portion of the class.

Assignment Due Dates
 
Responses to weekly discussion questions due by Friday evening 9:00 pm.

Responses to Instructor follow-up questions due by Saturday evening 9:00 pm.

Responses for all assignments are due by Sunday evening by 9:00 pm.

Final paper due 12:00 pm (NOON) on last day of class.
 
Late Work
 
Unless arrangements by prior notice are made late work is not accepted except in extremely mitigating circumstances. Please note: business travel is not an extreme mitigating circumstance.

WebCT

All students enrolled in this class are expected to be proficient in the use of WebCT. If you are new to WebCT or need some 'brush-up' with its use and navigation capabilities, please contact your academic adviser to arrange for WebCT training. The instructor does not provide WebCT training.
 
Incompletes
 
A grade of incomplete (I) is given only in emergency situations. The student must request an Incomplete in writing and must obtain my permission. All uncompleted work must be completed within the time limits I set. If you simply do not turn in assignments, your course grade will be calculated with the missed assignment(s) counting for “0” points.
 
Students With Disabilities
 
Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations, who have any emergency medical information the instructor should know of, or who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, etc. should make an appointment with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term.
 
Completion of Reading Assignments
 
The student is to complete all reading assignments prior to the beginning of the week’s discussion.
 
Class Start and Closing Times
 
All weekly discussion shall begin on Monday and continue through the following Sunday unless otherwise noted. The weekly site will close at 9:00pm Sunday unless otherwise noted.
 
Special Note: Use of On line Copyrighted Materials
 
The Technology, Education And Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH) of 2002, updated various provisions of the United States Copyright Act, section 17 U.S.C. addressing specifically, among other things, fair use of copyright materials in the digital environment and distance learning. Please understand and adhere to the provisions of TEACH and how the law can affect your use of copyright material as a distance learner. If you have any questions pertaining to the use of copyrighted materials please let me know. For an overview of TEACH please link to North Carolina State University Library at: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/scc/legislative/teachkit/overview.html
 
Incorporated by Reference
 
All Linfield College policies including those specifically not discussed or referenced herein are incorporated by reference to this syllabus. All policies will be strictly enforced. If you have any questions about any policy or need a copy of the policies please see your academic adviser. 

In addition to weekly assignments listed below please respond to on line discussion question(s) and dialog with classmates.

Week 1: 2/17 through 2/25


Week 2: 2/26 through 3/4


Week 3: 3/5 through 3/11


Week 4:  3/12 through 3/18


Week 5: 3/19 through 3/25


Week 6: 3/26 through 4/1


Week 7: 4/2 through 4/8


Week 8: 4/9 through 4/15


Week 9: 4/16 through 4/22


Week 10: 4/23 through 4/29


Week 11: 4/30 through 5/6


Week 12: 5/7 through 5/13


Week 13: 5/14 through 5/20


Week 14: 5/21 through 5/24