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Enterprise Hall 4400 University Drive, MS 1B1
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: (703) 993-1880
Fax: (703) 993-1867
Business and Society – BUS 100
(This Syllabus is tentative and subject to change.)
Instructor:
George Mason Email:
Course Website:
Class Meeting Times & Location:
Recitation Meeting Times:
Office Hours:
Office Location:
Required Text:
Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy (17th edition)
Anne T. Lawrence, James Weber, and James E. Post, 2020
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
ISBN: 9781307817140
Other readings may be assigned throughout the semester and posted on Canvas.
Course Description
Business and Society is a multidisciplinary course that provides students a foundation for understanding the role of business in society, the social context of business, and the relationships among individuals, institutions, and business. This Mason Core Course develops critical thinking and writing skills by analyzing the role of business in contemporary society through a historical lens. Students will gain an understanding of the conflicting pressures that various stakeholders place on businesses to balance financial returns, sustainable business practices, and other positive societal impacts. Through structured learning activities (case studies, video lectures, quizzes, discussion prompts and written assessments) students will examine how different stakeholders negotiate collective solutions to pressing problems and the consequences when they fail to do so.
Course Learning Objectives
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Discuss different perspectives about the relationship between business and society over time and their impact on business practices today.
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Analyze the interdependent relations among businesses and their stakeholders.
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Evaluate the dynamic relationship between government and business and the implications for other stakeholders.
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Assess opportunities and challenges businesses face in creating value for stakeholders through social responsibility, ethical behaviors, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability frameworks.
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Apply appropriate communication skills across settings, purposes, and audiences.
Mason Core Learning Objectives:
This course fulfills Mason Core requirements in social and behavioral science.
The following three learning outcomes are required goals of disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses:
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Explain how individuals, groups or institutions are influenced by contextual factors;
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Demonstrate awareness of changes in social and cultural constructs;
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Use appropriate methods and resources to apply social and behavioral science concepts, terminology, principles and theories in the analysis of significant human issues, past or present
College of Business Undergraduate Program Learning Goals
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Our students will demonstrate an understanding of the social, global, ethical, and legal contexts of business and will be able to reflect on the role of the individual in business.
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Our students will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply knowledge of professional skills necessary for success in business including effective business writing.
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Our students will demonstrate technical and analytic skills appropriate for success in business.
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Our students will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply knowledge of core business disciplines including accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and operations management.
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Our students will demonstrate knowledge and skills appropriate for specialization in their majors.
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Our students will demonstrate an understanding of how research in the business disciplines contributes to knowledge and how such research is conducted.
Approach to Learning
This course will rely on assigned readings, video lectures, discussions, assignments, group projects, and student presentations to facilitate learning. Students must complete all assigned lectures, readings and all other weekly activities by the end of the week in which they are due.
Policies & Student Services
College of Business Standards of Behavior
The mission of the College of Business at George Mason University is to create and deliver high-quality educational programs and research. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni who participate in these educational programs contribute to the well-being of society. High-quality educational programs require an environment of trust and mutual respect, free expression and inquiry, and a commitment to truth, excellence, and lifelong learning. Students, program participants, faculty, staff, and alumni accept these principles when they join the College of Business community. In doing so, they agree to abide by the following standards of behavior:
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Respect for the rights, differences, and dignity of others
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Honesty and integrity in dealing with all members of the community
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Accountability for personal behavior
Integrity is an essential ingredient of a successful learning community. Ethical standards of behavior help promote a safe and productive community environment, and ensure every member the opportunity to pursue excellence. College of Business can and should be a living model of these behavioral standards. To this end, community members have a personal responsibility to integrate these standards into every aspect of their experience at the College of Business. Through our personal commitment to these Community Standards of Behavior, we can create an environment in which all can achieve their full potential.
Business Library Liaison Information
Kayla Gourlay, (kmorrow7@gmu.edu) Business and Economics Liaison Librarian
Fenwick Library Fairfax Campus: http://infoguides.gmu.edu/business
Disability Services
Students with a disability who make require an accommodation, please talk to the instructor and contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (703) 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the ODS. Accommodation requests should be completed during the first two weeks of the semester. More information about ODS is available at https://ds.gmu.edu.
Academic Standards
Academic Standards exist to promote authentic scholarship, support the institution’s goal of maintaining high standards of academic excellence, and encourage continued ethical behavior of faculty and students to cultivate an educational community which values integrity and produces graduates who carry this commitment forward into professional practice.
As members of the George Mason University community, we are committed to fostering an environment of trust, respect, and scholarly excellence. Our academic standards are the foundation of this commitment, guiding our behavior and interactions within this academic community. The practices for implementing these standards adapt to modern practices, disciplinary contexts, and technological advancements. Our standards are embodied in our courses, policies, and scholarship, and are upheld in the following principles:
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Honesty: Providing accurate information in all academic endeavors, including communications, assignments, and examinations.
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Acknowledgement: Giving proper credit for all contributions to one’s work. This involves the use of accurate citations and references for any ideas, words, or materials created by others in the style appropriate to the discipline. It also includes acknowledging shared authorship in group projects, co-authored pieces, and project reports.
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Uniqueness of Work: Ensuring that all submitted work is the result of one’s own effort and is original, including free from self-plagiarism. This principle extends to written assignments, code, presentations, exams, and all other forms of academic work.
Violations of these standards—including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication, and cheating—are taken seriously and will be addressed in accordance with university policies. The process for reporting, investigating, and adjudicating violations is outlined in the university’s procedures. Consequences of violations may include academic sanctions, disciplinary actions, and other measures necessary to uphold the integrity of our academic community.
The principles outlined in these academic standards reflect our collective commitment to upholding the highest standards of honesty, acknowledgement, and uniqueness of work. By adhering to these principles, we ensure the continued excellence and integrity of George Mason University’s academic community.
Student responsibility: Students are responsible for understanding how these general expectations regarding academic standards apply to each course, assignment, or exam they participate in; students should ask their instructor for clarification on any aspect that is not clear to them. Violations of these standards, in this course, include, but are not limited to: unauthorized collaboration; uploading any of the instructor’s materials, assignments, exams, or any audio, photo or video of class lectures or discussions; and utilizing any un-allowed website, online service, generative artificial intelligence (AI), or app to assist with coursework.
ChatGPT:
Copyright rules also apply to users of the Internet who cite from Internet sources. Information and graphics accessed electronically must also be cited, giving credit to the sources.
The use of ChatGPT and other AI (large language models) tools must be cited in the same manner as any other source when used in course assignments. You are prohibited from using these tools with any exam or assignment that requires Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The College of Business is a place of opportunity where learners at any stage come to develop, enterprises find talent and expertise, and business is a positive force in the world. We achieve that vision by preparing a diverse student body and faculty to succeed in a global business environment, producing outstanding scholarship in business, working to maximize the impact of our expertise, and striving to instill a strong ethical compass and a life-long habit of learning in our students and stakeholders. The pursuit of diversity, inclusion, and equity is not layered on top of what we do—it is core to who we are. For further information on the university’s policy on diversity and inclusivity, please visit: https://business.gmu.edu/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion
FERPA and use of GMU Email Addresses for Course Communication
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) governs the disclosure of education records for eligible students and is an essential aspect of any course. Students must use their George Mason email account to receive important University information, including communications related to this class. Instructors will not respond to messages sent from or send messages regarding course content to a non-GMU email address.
Student responsibility: Students are responsible for checking their George Mason email regularly for course-related information, and/or ensuring that George Mason email messages are forwarded to an account they do check.
TITLE IX Resources and Required Reporting
As a part of George Mason University’s commitment to providing a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment for all members of the University community, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in any of its education or employment programs and activities. Accordingly, all non-confidential employees, including your faculty member, have a legal requirement to report to the Title IX Coordinator, all relevant details obtained directly or indirectly about any incident of Prohibited Conduct (such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based stalking, dating/domestic violence). Upon notifying the Title IX Coordinator of possible Prohibited Conduct, the Title IX Coordinator will assess the report and determine if outreach is required. If outreach is required, the individual the report is about (the “Complainant”) will receive a communication, likely in the form of an email, offering that person the option to meet with a representative of the Title IX office.
For more information about non-confidential employees, resources, and Prohibited Conduct, please see University Policy 1202: Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence. Questions regarding Title IX can be directed to the Title IX Coordinator via email to TitleIX@gmu.edu, by phone at (703) 993-8730, or in person on the Fairfax campus in Aquia, 373.
Religion
Students who will miss class for religious reasons should inform the instructor of their anticipated absences at the beginning of the semester.
Counseling Center
George Mason University has a counseling center that can provide assistance if you find yourself overwhelmed by life, want training in academic or life skills, or the like. More information is available at http://www.gmu.edu/departments/csdc/ .
Writing Guidelines
All writing assignments should be formatted as follows, unless otherwise specified: double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font, and 1-inch margins. To cite and reference professional or academic sources, please use APA style. Specific instructions for in-text citations and referencing are found in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition or at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/.
George Mason University has a writing center that can help you improve English writing skills. More information is available at http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/.
Inclement weather and campus emergencies: Information regarding weather-related changes in the University’s schedule (e.g., closing or late opening) will be provided on the GMU website and via MasonAlert. Students can sign up for the Mason Alert system and learn about emergency procedures at https://ready.gmu.edu/.
Technical Issues
ALL technical issues – Internet connectivity, MS Office 365, Blackboard, e-mail, your laptop, etc. – are the sole responsibilities of the student. The student – NOT the professor – is solely responsible to resolve ALL technical issues themselves by contacting the appropriate technical support, Mason ITS, or Internet provider. Furthermore, the student is solely responsible and assumes all risk for submitting the deliverables on-time according to the stated submission instructions; the student is liable for the consequences of their failure to do so.
Other course policies
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Please show respect to everyone in the class.
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George Mason Email must be used at all times for correspondence with the instructor. No exceptions. Students should clearly identify themselves and their course number and section in any Email correspondence.
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If students are confused about an assignment, assistance should be sought well in advance of assignment due dates.
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Generally, late work is not accepted: reading quizzes may not be made up, exams may not be made up unless arranged in advance with the instructor for a bone fide reason.
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Assignments submitted late will not receive credit.
Major Course Components
Blackboard quizzes
Students will complete quick comprehension quizzes on Blackboard based on assigned chapters in the textbook and other materials in the weekly modules. No late attempts will be graded.
Class Discussion Activities
The text provides many interesting case studies in order to illuminate the concepts from each chapter. Weekly classes will require preparation for small and large group discussions to help develop weekly themes. Discussion preparations require chapter and other article reading, note taking, and readiness to discuss the questions before participating in class activities.
Company Overview Assignment
This theme based research assignment is due in week 6.
Case Study Presentation and Report
Students will work in small groups to present a case study. The presentation should include an overview of the case, its key events, the various stakeholders, outcomes, and updates. Students will then write, as a group, a four to five page paper analyzing the case, with possible recommendations for the stakeholders involved. Students must tie the case to concepts learned in this class. Detailed instructions and the final report grading rubric are posted on Blackboard.
Midterm
The midterm exam will cover chapters 1,2,3,5,6,7,8, and 13. The midterm includes multiple choice questions, short answer and long answer questions. Lockdown browser and a webcam is required.
Final Exam
The comprehensive final exam will require students to synthesize the material learned throughout the semester, including information presented in the group case studies, and apply it to various contexts. The final exam will include multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions. The final exam will be administered during finals week. Lockdown browser and a webcam is required.
Grading Scale
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A+ |
98.00 - 100% |
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A |
93.00 – 97.99% |
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A- |
90.00 – 92.99% |
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B+ |
87.00 – 89.99% |
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B |
83.00 – 86.99% |
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B- |
80.00 – 82.99% |
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C+ |
77.00 – 79.99% |
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C |
70.00 – 76.99% |
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D |
60.00 – 69.99% |
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F |
0 – 59.99% |
Assignment Breakdown
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6% - Reading Quizzes in Blackboard (12 @ 0.5%)
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4% - March Book Assignment or other individual writing assignment
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10% - Company Overview Assignment
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10% - Class Activities
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10% - Group case study presentation
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15% - Case study report
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20% - Midterm
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25% - Final Exam
Course Schedule/Topics
Key: RQ- Reading quiz
|
Weeks |
Readings/Media |
Graded Assignments |
Due Dates |
|
Week 1 Business and Society |
Review Syllabus Watch video lecture(s) Read Chapter 1
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Take Quiz 1 Submit Weekly Assignment
|
Quiz: RQ #1 Assignment Due: |
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Week 2 Stakeholder Relations |
Watch video lecture(s) Read Chapters 2 |
Take Quiz 2 Submit Weekly Assignment
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Quiz: RQ #2 Assignment Due: |
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Week 3 Social Responsibility |
Watch video lecture(s) Read Chapter 3
|
Take Quiz 3 Submit Weekly Assignment |
Quiz: RQ #3 |
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Week 4 Corporate Governance |
Watch video lecture(s) Read Chapter 13 |
Take Quiz 4 Submit Weekly Assignment |
Quiz: RQ #4 Assignment Due:
|
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Week 5 Business Ethics
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Watch video lecture(s) Read Chapters 5&6
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Take Quiz 5 Submit Weekly Assignment |
Quiz: RQ# 5 Assignment Due: |
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Week 6 Business, Government & the Political Environment
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Watch video lecture(s) Read Chapters 7&8 |
Take Quiz 6
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Quiz: RQ #6 Assignment Due: Company Overview Assignment Due |
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Week 7 MIDTERM
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Review all material covered up to this point including chapters 1,2,3,5,6,7,8 &13 |
MIDTERM EXAM |
Midterm Exam on Friday March 7th due Opens at 8am and closes at 11:55pm After the midterm: begin reading March by John Lewis ISBN: 9781603093002 |
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Week 8 Spring Break No Class this week |
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Week 9 Employee Relations |
Watch video lectures Read Chapters 15&16 Read March Book
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Take Quiz 7 Submit Weekly Assignment Watch “Triangle Fire” and “Rana Plaza” (Links found in Canvas) Read “US Labor Timeline” (link found in Canvas) |
Quiz: RQ #7 Assignment Due: |
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Week 10 Consumer Relations |
Watch video lecture Read Chapter 14 Finish Reading March Book |
Take Quiz 8 Submit Weekly Assignment Submit Group Project Team Agreement |
Quiz: RQ #8 Assignment Due: Team Agreement Due:
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Week 11 |
Watch video lectures Read Chapter 18
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Take Quiz 9 Submit Weekly Assignment Submit Group Project Case Report Draft for feedback |
Quiz: RQ #9 |
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Week 12 Technology Issues
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Watch video lectures
Read Chapter 11&12
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Take Quiz 10 Submit Weekly Assignment |
Quiz: RQ #10 Assignment Due: March Assignment Due |
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Week 13 Sustainability |
Watch video lecture(s) Read Chapters 9&10 |
Take Quiz 11 Submit Weekly Assignment |
Quiz: RQ #11 Friday@11:55pm Assignment Due: Group Project Draft Paper Due: |
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Week 14 Globalization & Global Supply Chains |
Watch video lectures Read Chapters 4&17 |
Take Quiz 12 Submit Weekly Assignment |
Quiz: RQ #12 Assignment Due: Group Presentations & Papers Due on Friday April 25th by 11:55pm
|
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Week 15
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Finish up Chapter 17 and any other remaining work
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Final Exam Review Review all chapters and all course material |
Quiz: RQ# 13 |
|
Exam Period
May 7 – May 14 |
Prepare for Final Exam |
Cumulative exam covering all the material from this course |
Final Exam on Friday May 9th Opens at 8am and closes at 11:55pm |
**Disclaimer: The syllabus may be altered as the semester progresses, as needed, and does not create a contract. Any modifications will be announced in class and on Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to stay informed as to any changes that are made.