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Syllabus
B A 243 - Social, Legal, and Ethical Enviroment of Business
B A 243 Social, Legal, and Ethical Environment of Business (4) Explores the ethical, political, social, legal and regulatory, technological, and demographic diversity environment of business. A student may not receive credit toward graduation for both B LAW 243 and B A 243.
Overview | Course Objectives | Materials | Library | Tutor.com | Technical Requirements | Course Schedule | Course Requirements | Grading | Academic Integrity | Policies
Overview
Welcome to B A 243 (Social, Legal, and Ethical Environment of Business). The course provides an overview of the legal and ethical issues that affect businesses and their ability to create commerce within the scope of the law. Through this course, you will learn not only about the types of business formats but also about various laws that affect business, such as contracts, torts, intellectual property, and real estate.
Every business is affected by the law. This course will require you to think about various laws and how they expand and limit the actions businesses can take in their effort to be successful. Through this course, you should develop an understanding of the laws affecting businesses and how you may need to deal with them in your future employment situation, whether you will own your own business or be employed at an existing business.
Course Objectives
In the business context, Business Administration 243 provides students with fundamentals of ethical analysis and an understanding of the global environment in which business operates including: the influence of political, social, legal and regulatory, environmental, technological issues, and the impact of demographic diversity on organizations.
Considered a legal entity by law, a business is expected to operate within the scope of professional ethics and to make decisions that are beneficial not only for the business but for society. From the broad range of topics within this course, you should develop an understanding of how a business acts and reacts to society within the legal framework. The main objective of this course is for you to increase your awareness of the business environment through the study of law.
At the completion of this course, you should be able to
- identify the various business forms and the tax and liability associated with each,
- develop an understanding of tort law and the responsibility of businesses,
- develop an understanding of contract terms and uses and their ramifications,
- understand the important elements of intellectual property law and their importance within the scope of a business entity,
- understand the relationships and responsibilities of principals and agents,
- appreciate employment law and its impact on employers and employees,
- understand the nature of real property law and landlord/tenant relationships,
- recognize the ethical issues faced by business, and
- describe the various ethical theories.
Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You can view the Online Students' Library Guide for more information.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to determine whether your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page and select My Account.
Optional Course Library Resources
Talk to a Business Librarian if you have a specific business research question that you are unable to find via the library resources mentioned previously. Contact Diane Zabel, Benzak Business Librarian and Head of the Schreyer Business Library, during regular business hours at 814-865-1013 or via email at dxz2@psu.edu.
Tutor.com
Overview: Tutor.com is a 24/7 tutoring service that provides students with assistance in coursework, test preparation, research, writing, and more for various subjects. The tutors are subject-matter experts, and each student will have personalized one-on-one sessions with them. Students can schedule their own tutoring appointments to engage in interactive sessions that include a whiteboard and chat feature. The service can be utilized on any device that has Internet access. Students are encouraged to use the service throughout the semester.
Reminder: Please keep in mind that you can use the free Tutor.com services to assist you in preparing for your assignments and understanding key concepts. You may NOT use this service during graded assignments, quizzes, or exams. Students AND instructors have access to transcripts from tutoring sessions.
Getting Started with Tutor.com:
- Launch Tutor.com by clicking the Tutor.com link in the Course Navigation Menu.
- Select the topic you are studying from the drop-down menu.
- From the subject drop-down menu, select your course.
- Ask your tutor a question in the text box. If you're working with a document, such as a rough draft of a writing assignment, you can upload the file here as well.
- Once you have made these selections, click Get a Tutor, and a tutor will be assigned to you within two minutes.
- You will then enter a virtual classroom with your tutor. Here, the interactive whiteboard and chat feature will be available. You will be able to talk with your tutor and use the tools. File sharing will be available for you and your tutor to review a document at the same time.
- After your session, please fill out the post-session survey to offer feedback on your experience.
- For a more detailed overview of Tutor.com, please view the How It Works video or read the How It Works guide. If you have any questions or need additional help logging in, please contact studentsupport@tutor.com
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments.
Discussion forum assignment due dates are as follows:
- First post is due by 11:59 PM ET on Thursday of the week in which it is assigned, unless otherwise noted. Please pay close attention to the dates in lessons that span 2 weeks.
- All replies and additional posts are due by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday of the week in which it is assigned, unless otherwise noted.
Note that all dates reflect North American eastern time (ET). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live. All lesson assignments must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the last day of the timeframe indicated below for the lesson unless otherwise stated. Discussion first posts are due (Wed/Thurs) of the lesson week assigned.
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Course Requirements
There are 1,000 possible total points to be earned in this course.
Business Ethics Discussion Forum
You will be assigned to a team by your instructor and will work on this team to complete the Business Ethics Discussion. The instructor will send out a communication informing you of what team you are on. As the hosting team, you will be responsible for selecting a video, posting it to the discussion, proposing provocative questions, and facilitating a dynamic discussion. The rest of the class will respond to the host team's questions and comment on each other's posts. The host team will earn up to 10% of the course grade from this assignment; the responses provide the opportunity to earn a total of up to 5% of the course grade across the four remaining discussions.
NOTE: Please use a video that has captions. If you need assistance finding a captioned video, refer to the Captioned Video Resources information page.
NOTE: After posting to a Business Ethics Discussion Forum, you will not have the ability to edit or delete your post. It is recommended that you compose your message in a word processing program first and then copy and paste the text into the Business Ethics Discussion Forum.
Writing Assignments/Discussion Forums
There will be five smaller writing assignments or discussion forums throughout the course. These will give you the opportunity to think more deeply about some of the issues discussed in each lesson. The discussion forums will facilitate discussion between you and your team members. Your submissions will earn points, depending on the quality (argument, reasoning, how you defend yourself, etc.). If in your discussion forum reply, you simply state that "Jen’s comments are excellent. I agree with her" or "I like your argument," you will receive no credit for this posting.
NOTE: After posting a reply to a Discussion Forum, you will not have the ability to edit or delete your post. It is recommended that you compose your message in a word processing program first and then copy and paste the text into the Discussion Forum.
Case Study
View the slides and accompanying transcript within the lesson. Then you will complete a writing assignment using the knowledge you have gained in the course. See assignment for additional details.
Quizzes
There will be seven quizzes throughout the course. Most of the quizzes consist of 10 multiple choice/true-false questions, and you will have twenty minutes to complete each quiz. You may use your textbook and notes, but may not get help from an individual or individuals. Upon submission of your quiz, you will receive your score in the format of number correct out of the total. After reviewing your quiz results and your course materials, if you still have questions, please contact your instructor to discuss.
Employment Contract Writing Assignment
You will choose from one of three scenarios and compose a 250–500 word employment contract, post it to the contracts writing assignment discussion forum, and then reply to a classmate's work.
Lease Assignment
You will be given a sample lease and are asked to complete the missing sections.
Exam 1
Exam 1 is a cumulative exam, consisting of 50 multiple choice/true-false questions. Exam 1 is worth 10% of your course grade.
Grading
| Numerical value | Letter grade |
|---|---|
| 93 and above | A |
| 90–92.99 | A- |
| 87–89.99 | B+ |
| 83–86.99 | B |
| 80–82.99 | B- |
| 77–79.99 | C+ |
| 70–76.99 | C |
| 60–69.99 | D |
| below 60 | F |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page. Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please go to the Graduation Information on the My Penn State Online Student Portal.
Please see rubrics or individual assignments for specifics on assignment preparation and expectations.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Additional Academic Integrity Violations
Please note: Various tutoring websites claim to offer you the opportunity to download answers to everything from accounting problems to quiz questions for little to no cost. Full papers can also be downloaded to submit in place of your own work. Use of these materials, or “ghosting,” is considered cheating and an academic integrity violation. Similarly, uploading exams, course materials, or your work to one of these sites is considered an academic integrity violation.
Using online services that complete assignments for you is considered an academic integrity violation.
Giving your Penn State Access ID and password to someone else to do your work is against University policy AD95/AD96 and an academic integrity violation; sanctions will be given for these violations.
- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
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Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require documentation of events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
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For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Principles
Policies
Late Policy
Late Assignments will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to contact the instructor prior to the due date of an assignment if you are aware of extenuating circumstances that will impact your ability to meet a deadline. The instructor will determine if alternative arrangements may be made.
Blank or Erroneous Assignment Submissions
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have uploaded the correct document to each assignment prior to the assignment due date. Please check your assignment submission immediately after uploading a file in Canvas to ensure that it contains content and is the correct file. If you notice an error, such as a blank or incorrect file, you must resubmit the assignment before the assignment due date. Similarly, you are responsible for ensuring that discussion forum initial posts are not blank and that any website URL submissions (such as links to documents, video recordings, etc.) have the correct sharing settings enabled so that they can be viewed by recipients. Any blank or erroneous submissions that you have not resubmitted by the assignment due date will receive a zero for the assignment.
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Veterans and Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Privacy Notice
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.One Year Course Access
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.