BA107 The Social, Political, and Ethical Environment of Business

1
BA107The Social, Political, and Ethical
Environment of Business

• July 11, 2005
• Sanny Liao

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Goals Today

• Introduction
• Course Overview
• Journal Article Reviews
• Class Paper
• Presentation
• Where to start?

3
Sanny Liao

• Haas Ph.D. Student in Business and Public Policy
• Research interests in contract design,
  outsourcing, political economics
• Office Hours
• Wednesday 1030-1230pm, Room F535
• Or by Appointment
• Email sliao_at_haas.berkeley.edu
• Phone [phone]
• Tell me about you

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Your Expectations

• Take an index card.
• Tell me your expectations for this class. In
  particular, what do you wish to take away from
  this class?
• Return the card to me at the end of the class
  today.

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What do we do in section?

• Sections are mandatory
• Participation and journal article reviews (not
  summaries) will account for 10 of your grade
• We will discuss articles and case studies
  pertinent to material covered in lecture (e.g.
  debates)
• We will review material for midterms and finals
• You are expected to hand in a thoughtful journal
  article review every Wednesday
• Present your research paper at the end of this
  course

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Course Outline

• Week 1 No Class
• Week 2 Introduction Discussion on Business
  Ethics
• Week 3 Corporate Social Responsibility
• Week 4 Midterm Review Presentations
• Week 5 Presentations
• Week 6 Final Exam Review

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Grades

• Course Grads
• Class Participation and Journal Review 10
• Midterm 20
• Research Paper 35
• Final Exam 35
• Grading Policies
• Attend class, participate, and submit thoughtful
  journal reviews
• Everything you need to know to get a good grade
  can be acquired through class discussions,
  assignments, and I will hold exam reviews
• Re-grades If you would like your exam and/or
  course grade re-evaluated, please submit to me a
  1-page explanation for why you feel your work
  merits (a) a second look and (b) a modified
  grade. Note that your grade may be adjusted up
  OR down, depending on the 2nd review.

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Key Dates

• Journal article review due in class every
  Wednesday.
• Research paper topic due in email by 7/13.
• Midterm exam 7/25.
• Class presentation on research paper 7/27, 8/1,
  8/3.
• Research paper due 8/3.
• Final exam 8/10.

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Journal Article Review

• The goal of journal reviews is to train you to
  critically reflect on current issues, in
  particular how are they related to the macro
  environment.
• Pick an article that interests you AND that is
  closely related to topics covered in this class
  (the WSJ, FT, NYT, and Economist are good places
  to look).
• Please do not summarize. Highlight the main
  issue and present your comment/analysis (as if
  you are trying to persuade the reader with the
  validity of your argument).
• Articles are due in class every Wednesday (5 in
  total).
• Try to limit each review to 1 page, in size 12
  font, single spaced.
• Attach the article with your review.
• Reviews will be graded as v-, v, or v (quality
  matters)
• NO late reviews accepted (but early is OK)

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Research Paper

• Topic due in email by 7/13
• Again, choose a topic that interests you AND that
  is closely related to material covered in this
  class
• 1 paragraph stating the specific focus is
  sufficient
• I will provide comment via email within 2 days.
• Complete paper due on 8/3, each day late will
  cost ½ a grade (e.g. A- to B for 1 day)
• Format 8 pages excluding bibliography and
  appendix, in size 12 font, double spaced.
• You may work alone, or work in groups of up to 3
  members, though each person is responsible for 8
  pages (so a group of 2 will turn in a 16 page
  paper, a group of 3 a 24 page paper).
• A good research paper should be coherent,
  acknowledge both sides of views on the concerned
  topic, cite credible evidence (books, articles,
  data, etc.), and be persuasive to the reader.

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Presentation

• Present a summary of your research paper to the
  class.
• Take place on 7/27, 8/1, and 8/3. Please submit
  your order of preference on date along with your
  topic by 7/13.
• Each person will have 4-5 minutes to present,
  followed by a 1 minute discussion/QA (bigger
  groups will get more time)
• You may present with other groups even if you did
  not write the paper together. (e.g. debate style)
• Your presentation will have a little impact on
  your grades, but it is intended to be a low-key,
  low-stress opportunity to share ideas

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Where to start?

• Read the WSJ, FT, NY, or Economist (if you dont
  have subscription, they are available in the
  library)
• Pick an article, and write your 1st journal
  review, its due THIS Wednesday, 7/13.
• Start thinking about topics for your research
  paper, talk to friends, or me (email is a great
  way to reach me).
• Submit the topic and preferred dates for
  presentation (by order of preference).