COURSE SYLLABUS – Fall 2024

Course Name Introduction to Business, (Business and Society) MGMT-100 03; CRN-12640
Instructor Prof. Chandrakant P. (CP) Ganatra

Class times: M W and F: 2:00 PM to 2:50 PM in ROOM 309 (In person), BOA Bldg.
Office 302 857 6934
Phone 302 635 0633
Email cganatra@desu.edu
Office Hours Mon WED and FRI: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
( All appointments after email confirmation.)

Course Description:
In a world economy that is becoming increasingly integrated and interdependent, the relationship between
business and society is becoming ever more complex. The globalization of business, the emergence of civil
society organizations in many nations, and rapidly changing government regulations and international
agreements have significantly altered the job of managers and the nature of strategic decision making within the
firm. This course explores the intersection of business, ethics, and societal impact. The course delves into
various topics related to corporate responsibility, sustainability, and the role of businesses in shaping society.

Course Objectives:

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

 Understand key environmental and social issues affecting businesses.

 Articulate the scope of societal impacts from business on a global community.
 Explore the evolution of corporate responses from compliance to innovation.
 Recognize and appreciate the importance and impact of organizational decisions on society.
 Develop leadership skills for contributing to a just, equitable, and regenerative world
 Identify and understand the relationships between businesses and their many stakeholders.
 Make valid, reasoned arguments in support of socially responsible decision-making.
 Recognize ‘real-time’ challenges to socially responsible decision-making.
 Understand political influences between business and government, and the impetus for regulation and
deregulation.
 Demonstrate an ability to utilize methods of ethical reasoning during decision-making.
 Understand the strength and weaknesses of using theoretical analysis and empirical tools when
assessing business decisions.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite: None

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Course Textbook:
 Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy, 17th Edition ISBN10: 1264080913 | ISBN13:
9781264080915 Anne Lawrence, James Weber, Vanessa D. Hill and David M. Wasieleski
 Recommended Magazines & Newspapers - Business Week Bloomberg, Financial Times, Forbes, Fortune,
New York Times, Wall Street Journal

Core Competences:

1. This course facilitates critical thinking and problem-solving core competencies through class discussions,
assignments and exams oriented towards clearly organizing thought processes and recognizing multiple
solutions to given business problems.
2. This course assesses information literacy and technological awareness of core competency by learning
current topics in management

Alignment to
Assurance of Learning Goals Assessment
Program Learning
Method
This course: Outcomes (PLOs)
Assesses written & oral communication core competency
Assignments,
with e-mail communications, class presentations and
Presentation, & PLO #1, PLO #2
discussions, and various assignments including short and long
Written Reports
case study analysis reports.
Assesses critical thinking and problem-solving core
competency with class discussions, case analyses, and
exams. Assignments & PLO #2, PLO #4
Exams
Assesses the need for global, cultural, and diversity Assignments &
understanding through independent readings, Presentation PLO #6
class discussions, and case analyses.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

Alignment to
Course Learning Goal/Objective/Outcome: Assessment
Program
Method
Students will: Learning
Demonstrate an understanding of the behavioral approach in Assignments PLO #1
describing and explaining organizational behavior. & Tests
Demonstrate an understanding of the application of Assignments & PLO #1, PLO #2
importance of business, entrepreneurship, and its role Presentation
in modern societies.
Recognize and understand human behavior as it applies Assignments PLO #1, PLO #6
to businesses and entrepreneurship. Demonstrate an & Tests
understanding of Global Trade, Global Strategies,
Barriers to Trade, and Trade Relationships.

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 Conduct group research on business topics using the Assignments & PLO #1, PLO #4,
Internet and other resources and clearly communicate Presentation
the results of that research in written form.

Instructional Methodology:

The course introduces students to the evolving role business plays in society and challenges students to explore
how it can and should create value. The course includes a weekly speaker session in which thought leaders
present their distinct perspectives on current and historical issues related to business and society. It also
includes small group discussion sessions in which students reflect critically on multiple perspectives. Students
then select issues they are passionate about, conduct research and analysis to develop their own perspectives,
and present them in writing.

Guest Speakers/Podcasts: Throughout the semester, there will be industry experts, entrepreneurs, and thought
leaders invited to share their insights. Guest speakers will discuss real-world experiences, ethical dilemmas, and
innovative practices in business and society.

Case Studies: Throughout the course there will be assigned case studies provided to the students. Students are
expected to complete the requirements of the case with a perspective on current events and topic the case
pertains to.

Presentation: Students will identify a business/organization and research the interaction of the selected business
with society around all the major topics covered during the course. In addition, students will deep dive into one
area where the business has adapted to the changing demands of the environment around it.

Final Exams: The course will have 2 exams administered during the semester - Midterm and Final exam

Grade items Purpose of the item What does it include? %

Attending in person classes in a regular and timely
Attendance & To encourage and promote
fashion (If you miss the attendance, you will be 10%
Punctuality consistency and discipline
marked absent)
To offer an experiential learning These are primarily reading, analyzing, discussing,
approach that connects with and/or writing jobs. It includes news articles, and
Class activities, practice, allows the student to several other interesting application- oriented tasks.
participation, and engage in team and Additionally, it involves researching the internet, 15%
attitude presentation, and to develop a class discussions, and online tasks. Professional
stronger bond with the subject attitude and participation in the virtual classroom
matter. are also assessed.
To apply the concepts in real Cases from Textbook, media, current events, and
Case Analysis 15%
business situations others
COB Professional Student Professional Attend DEEP Day and other events, Membership on
10%
Development Development a COB Club

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 To help the student memorize
Exams Exams 30%
and retain the concepts
Effectively present key concepts
from a chapter section, engage
Presentation the audience, and demonstrate Semester Long 20%
deep understanding of the
material. Team Work.
Total 100%

Evaluation of the course and Student Performance:

Each student is expected to attend classes on time and contribute to in-class discussions. If you miss a class, it is
your responsibility to get any assignments given by the instructor and complete them. Read all assigned material
before class. The grade distribution is as follows:

Quality
Percentage Grade What does it denote?
Points
90 – 100% A 4.00 Excellent performance
80 – 89% B 3.00 Good performance
70 – 79% C 2.00 Fair or satisfactory performance
60 – 69% D 1.00 Poor or unsatisfactory performance
0 – 59% F 0.00 Failure or Failing performance

**Extra credit is typically not be offered.

Classroom Policies:

E-mail Policy: The University requires all e-mail correspondences between students and instructors to be through
our DSU (@students.desu.edu) accounts. Therefore, when sending e-mails to me, you must use your DSU account.
Use the proper email format as outlined in the Announcements. I will not respond to e-mails sent from other
providers. If you do not know your DSU e-mail, information can be found at the following page on the DSU website:
http://www.desu.edu/student-email
Academic Honesty Policy: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form. Helping each other in
preparation is anticipated. However, only the original work will be accepted and graded. If an incident of academic
dishonesty (plagiarism etc.) occurs in this course, the student will receive a grade of “F” for the semester.
Exams and Make Up Policy: EVERY STUDENT SHOULD TAKE THE EXAMS ON AN ARRANGED DATE. No make up
exam will be given except for the case of serious illness or emergency. Students have the responsibility to prove
the serious illness or emergency and should submit necessary documents prior to or right after the absence. If
students failed to take a written exam, he or she would receive a point of zero (0) for that exam.
Class Participation, Attendance and Professionalism Policy:
Each student should go through the modules fully prepared. Students should prepare their presentations and
read the assigned chapter to be ready for their class presentations and discussions. Each student’s participation to
class discussions will be monitored continuously throughout the session and evaluation will be based on
contribution to the learning process of the whole class.

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Class participation grades will be based on the overall participation of the student in the course during the
semester. This will be evaluated through postings on discussion forum, class attentiveness, asking questions in the
class, and actively participating in class discussions.
In accordance with the University’s policy, regular class attendance is a vital part of the educational process.
Students are expected to attend all the classes and arrive at each class on time. In accordance with this policy,
absence from any class for any reason does not excuse the student from responsibility for any assigned work.
Students are expected to complete the reading assignment and exercises in a timely manner and are expected to
prepare class presentation and discussions.
Students should be aware that professionalism in the class is evaluated and receives a high percentage in overall
assessment. Students attending the class must follow the “Code of Conduct for Students” of College of Business.
This includes, but is not limited to, classroom behavior, attendance, participation, attitude, honesty, and
motivation.
Students who miss 25 percent or more of classes and have not dropped the class by
the drop period will receive a letter grade reduction in their final semester grade.

Class Food and Clothing Policy:

Students attending the class must follow specific sections of the “Code of Conduct for Students” of College of
Business. That is, any food or drink including gum and candy are not allowed to be consumed during the class.
Wearing hat, cap or any other form of hat is not allowed in classes.
Cell Phone & other Electronic Devices (ED) Use Policy:
Your cell Phones and EDs should either be switched off or in Vibrate mode during the class. If any student is found
texting or using his/her phone or EDs for any purpose without prior permission of the instructor (only for
emergency), he/she will be asked to leave the classroom for that day. The student will be marked absent and will
receive a ‘0’ on their professionalism grade for the class.
Course Withdrawal Policy:
The course will follow all university policy for course withdrawal.
Learning Disability:
If you have a learning disability and need special accommodation (including required absences because of
university-sanctioned events—including direct participation in athletic competitions, academic conferences,
performance arts, and university governance), please see the instructor during the first week of class. Students
requesting accommodations due to a disability at Delaware State University need to present a current
Accommodation Letter to faculty before accommodations can be made. Accommodation Letters are issued by
Student Accessibility Services (SAS). For additional information, visit the SAS website or contact SAS directly:
(phone) 302.857.6898, (email) aksmith@desu.edu, or (office) William C. Jason Library, Room 204.
Accommodation
If you have a learning disability and need special accommodation (including required absences because of
university-sanctioned events—including direct participation in athletic competitions, academic conferences,
performance arts and university governance), please see the instructor the first week of class.

Documentation for Non-Attendance (No show policy):

All enrolled students are required to attend each class at least once during the first week of classes in order to
verify participation in the class. Failure to verify participation in a class before the end of the first week of classes

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will result in the student being classified as a “no show” for the course. All tuition and fees for the course will be
refunded and no grade will be issued.

Academic Integrity Policy:

All students are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner, and in accordance with
the COB guidelines. All Students are expected to do their own work.
 Please note that the instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus later to accommodate the changes
in schedule for the class. This syllabus changes will be posted in the Blackboard Announcements area.
 It is the students’ responsibility to check Blackboard regularly for the changes, updates, and
communications.

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Introduction to Business (Business & Society) – Fall 2024 Calendar
May be subject to change at the discretion of the instructor

Week Topic/Chapter Podcast Assignment (TBD)

Week 1 Introduction to Course/Syllabus Overview
(8/26)
Chapter 1 – The Corporation & Its Stakeholders
Week 2 Chapter 2- Managing Public Issues
(9/2)
Chapter 4 – Business in the Globalized world
Week 3 Chapter 3 – Corporate Social Responsibility and Global Citizenship 9/12 Podcast
(9/9)

Week 4 Chapter 5 – Ethics & Ethical Reasoning

(9/16)
Chapter 6 – Organizational Ethics
Week 5 Chapter 11 – The Role of Technology 9/26 Podcast
(9/23)
Chapter 12 – Regulating and Managing Technology
Week 6 Chapter 13 – Shareholder Rights and Corporate Governance
(9/30)
Mid Term Review
Week 7 Mid Term Exam 10/10 Podcast
(10/7)
Resume Review, V-Mock Session, etc. (Open activity)
Week 8 Presentation Review
(10/14)
Deep Day

Week 9 Chapter 7 – Business- Government Relations

(10/21)
Chapter 8 – Influencing the Political Environment

Week 10 Chapter 15 – Employees and The Corporation TBD

(10/28)
Chapter 16 – Managing a Diverse Workplace

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Week 11 Chapter 18 – Community and The Corporation TBD
(11/4)
Week 12 Chapter 19 – Managing the Public & Corporate Reputation
(11/11)
Presentation Review
Week 13 Chapter 9 – Sustainable Development & Global Business
(11/18)

Week 14 Thanksgiving Break

(11/25)
Week 15 Presentations
(12/2)
Final Exam Review
Week 16 Final Exam
(12/9)