GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS

MANAGEMENT 4200

Spring, 2008

Instructor: Dr. Alan Hamlin

Office: BU 316

Phone: 586-5417

e-mail: hamlin@suu.edu

Text: Business, Government and Society, 11th ed., Steiner, Irwin Publishing, 2006.

1. Course Overview and Objective:

This course focuses on the nature of the relationship between the private sector (specifically, business) and the public sector (government). Business regulation is a key role of government at all levels. Other government actions affect business as well, such as tax policy, inflation control, government subsidies, and legislation (e.g. the recent tobacco bill). In this course, the student will explore the essential relationships which bind business and government together. We will examine how decisions are made at both levels; and how the two entities can work together to achieve a balance which: A) allows business to make the requisite profits to provide their owners with a return on their investment, and B) protect the environment and ensure that employees are provided with appropriate wages and safe working conditions, and customers with a high quality product.

Course Objectives:

1) To provide a framework for identifying organizational problems, including global, ethical and socio-political issues.

2) To make the students more aware of the needs and attitudes of other individuals.

3) Articulate in writing with clarity, proper form and organization.

4) Effectively present your opinions orally.

5) Understand the dynamic nature of economies and markets.

6) To understand the roles of government with respect to business and markets.

When you have successfully completed this course, you will be able to:

-Understand the functions of government and business

-Compare and contrast the advantages/disadvantages of business regulation

-Know the importance of the consumer, and why the government protects him/her

-Understand the trade offs to environmental protection

-Discuss intelligently the concepts of equal employment opportunity and affirmative

action specifically, and corporate social responsibility generally

-Understand the role of governments in international trade

-Know what can be done to promote global competitiveness

-See how government tax policy affects the business environment

-Know when the government should and should NOT provide subsidies and bailouts

-Know the proper role of corporate lobbying, and its effects

-Understand the growing trend toward multinational business

11. Course Requirements:

A) Regular attendance at class meetings

B) Participation in class discussion

C) Satisfactory completion of all assignments and exams on time

111. Examinations:

There will be 5 scheduled midterm exams, each worth 100 points. Each exam will be objective (TF, MC), will be given in class, and will cover about 4 chapters. The midterm exams will be non-cumulative. The FINAL exam, however, will be comprehensive, and will be worth 200 points.

1V. Term Papers:

Each student will write a term paper on a topic of his/her choice within the area of Business and Government. These are to be original essays based on a contemporary and controversial business issue (e.g. affirmative action, sexual harassment, drug testing, pollution control, etc.) which the student is interested in and which will motivate you to spend a considerable amount of time in research and writing. The papers should present BOTH sides of the issue, analyze the costs and benefits of each alternative solution, and the conclusion must have your personal opinion as to what the best solution is, and why.

This is basically a research paper, but must contain your own opinions based on your readings and experiences. Make the paper at least 10 pages long, typed, plus bibliography and title page. The report is worth 200 points toward your final grade.

V. Briefs:

In addition to the term papers, each student will, three times during the semester, prepare a written “brief” to explain a current issue, examine alternative solutions, and consider what to do, how to implement it, who will be affected, and who should pay for it. These essays should be about 2 single-spaced pages long. Be prepared to discuss your problem, and solution, with the class.

V1. Group Report:

Each student will be assigned to a 3 member group, to present a case before the class. The case will be at the end of one of the chapters in the book. Each case will consist of a 20 minute presentation, followed by a 5 minute Q&A. The intent is for the students to amplify on the chapter content by reviewing and dissecting the case, using handouts, PowerPoint, and/or other creative and entertaining delivery vehicles. Thoroughness, objectivity and articulation will be the basis for the grade given.

V1. Grading:

Participation= 50 points

Briefs (3 x 50)= 150 points

Group Report= 100 points

Term Paper= 200 points

Midterms= 500 points

Final Exam= 200 points

Total points possible= 1200 points

V11. Teaching Style:

The instructor uses a Socratic method which involves students in a discussion format. This requires students to read the material BEFORE class, and come to class prepared to contribute. This provides the class an opportunity to hear from many students from different backgrounds and who have different attitudes about government, business practices, ethics, and other relevant topics.

V111. Calendar:

Jan 7 Introduction

9 Chapter 1- Introduction to B, G & S

11 Chapter 2- The Business Environment

Jan 14 Chapter 3- The Power of Business

16 Group 1- John Rockefeller & Standard Oil

18 Chapter 4- Critics of Business

Jan 21 Martin Luther King Holiday

23 Group 2- Kentucky Fried Chicken

25 Exam #1

Jan 28 Chapter 5- Corporate Social Responsibility

30 Group 3- Jack Welch & General Electric

Feb 1 Chapter 6- Implementing Social Responsibility

Feb 4 Group 4- Kasky Versus Nike

6 Brief #1 due, discuss

8 Chapter 7- Business Ethics

Feb 11 Group 5- Martha Stewart

13 Chapter 8- Making Ethical Decisions

15 Exam #2

Feb 18 President’s Day Holiday

20 Chapter 9- Business in Politics

22 Chapter 10- Federal Regulation of Business

Feb 25 Group 6- Big Tobacco Versus the FDA

27 Chapter 11- Reforming Regulation

29 Group 7- The Microsoft Antitrust Case

Mar 3 Brief #2 Due/Discuss

5 Chapter 12- MNCs and Trade

7 Group 8- Union Carbide and Bhopal

Mar 10 Exam #3

12 Chapter 13- Globalization

14 Group 9- The WTO and Its Critics

Mar 17-21 SPRING BREAK!!

Mar 24 Easter Holiday

26 Chapter 14- Industrial Pollution and Environmentalism

28 Group 10- Owls, Loggers and Old Growth Forests

Mar 31 Chapter 15- Managing Environmental Quality

Apr 2

4 Chapter 16- Consumerism

Apr 7

9 Exam #4

11 Chapter 17- The Changing Workplace

Apr 14 Brief #3 Due

16 Chapter 18- Civil Rights at Work

18

Apr 21 Chapter 19- Corporate Governance

23 Exam #5

25 Term Papers Due/Discuss

Apr 28 Study Day

Apr 29-May 2 Final Exams

Other:

Course Evaluations: As of Fall, 2005 students will evaluate their face-to-face courses online, using a program called WebCT. The previously used Scantron system, with the paper-and-pencil survey, will NO LONGER be used. During the last week of instruction, all students will have access to WebCT for the purpose of evaluating each of their courses. To access the system, students will (1) on the Internet, go to SUU’s Homepage (suu.edu); (2) click Current Students; (3) click WebCT; (4) log in with Username and Password exactly as done in the campus computer labs-- If students don ’t know their Username or Password, they can click on the choices on this screen that will provide them; (5) once logged in, students will see a list of courses, with Course Evaluation in each title—they will then click on the course they wish to evaluate.

ADA Statement: If you have a disability which may impair your ability to successfully complete this course, please let Student Support Services (SSS) know during the first week of class. Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations or auxiliary aids will need to contact SSD in Room 206F, Smith Center or phone 865-8022. SSD determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of these services.

Academic Integrity: Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. You are expected to have read and understood the current issue of the Student Handbook regarding student responsibilities and rights, and the intellectual property policy. As of January 1, 2004, all of my classes will be using Turnitin.com to screen written work for possible plagiarism and other violations of University policy. To create an account for this class at Turnitin.com: 1) go to www.turnitin.com/static/training_support/tii_student_quickstart.html, and 2) enroll yourself using the Class ID and Class Enrollment Password (given in class). All briefs, thought papers, term papers and book reports must be electronically submitted to Turnitin or it will not be accepted by the instructor for credit in the class.

Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is required at all class meetings. Up to fifty points will be awarded for this factor.

Late Assignments and/or Makeup Work: Attend and participate in classes. In-class activities, discussion and case analysis are important for learning this material. Please be on time for class. Latecomers are distracting, annoying and RUDE.

Pop Quizzes: Due to the ever-changing material covered in this class, the instructor reserves the right to give pop quizzes and/or extra assignments at any time.

Student Fees: All School of Business undergraduate classes have an $11 student fee, and all graduate classes have a $22 fee. These funds go toward funding mediated classes, computer labs, purchased cases, field trips and other student-related costs.