Lecture (LEC)

• COLL (CASE) A&H Breadth of Inq
• IUB GenEd A&H credit

• IUB GenEd A&H credit
• COLL (CASE) A&H Breadth of Inquiry credit

This introductory-level course will examine an array of ethical issues relevant to business. The topics likely to be covered include: deception, conflicts of interest, workplace issues (diversity in the workplace, sexual harassment, free speech, privacy, safety and other labor issues), exploitation (of workers, of patrons), corporate social responsibility (for example concerning the environment), and whistleblowing. Of particular interest are cases where two important values come into conflict, for example, workers' privacy vs. public safety. We will consider questions both abstractly and concretely. For instance, we will ask questions such as: What is it to manipulate people? What is objectionable about doing so? What differentiates objectionable manipulation from permissible attempts to change people's minds or habits? And we will also ask questions such as: When, and what sort, of advertising is objectionably manipulative? What sorts of restrictions on advertising are appropriate? When are high-pressure sales tactics beyond the pale? Lecture/discussion format. No prerequisites.