Corporations and Politics

BA 4307-002
Spring 2005

Walter L. Sutton, J.D., Ph.D.

972-883-4965
www.utdallas.edu/~sutton
Email through WebCT ONLY
Office SOM2.411
Hours: Tuesday 11-12, before or after class, or by appointment

The business world and the political world are intertwined. Each has the power to affect the other to some
degree. In this class we will be discussing the power each sector has over the other as well as the
amplitude, intensity, and possibility of the consequences of business-political engagements. We will
examine historical as well as current political events and relate them to the business world through the use
of critical thinking skills. We will also attempt to predict future government, social, and corporate actions.

Required reading:

1. Steiner and Steiner, Business, Government, and Society, McGraw Hill, 10th edition.
2. Browne & Keeley, Asking the Right Questions, Prentice Hall, 2003.

Daily newspapers and business periodicals - Wall Street Journal suggested.

Grading Policy:
Exam I 25% A+: 97 and up; A: 94-96; A-: 90-93
Exam II 25% B+: 87-89; B: 84-86; B-: 80-83
Homework 25% C+: 77-79; C: 74-76; C-: 70-73
Case Discussion 15% D+: 67-69; D: 64-66; D-: 60-63
Participation 10% F: Below 60%
100%

Homework

Your weekly homework assignment is to bring in a current event clipping from a daily newspaper (New
York Times, Wall Street Journal, Dallas Morning News, etc.), a business periodical (Business Week,
Fortune, etc.) or the internet that directly relates to the topic of the week, for example: ethics,
environmental policy, or civil rights.
Please attach your news story to another sheet of paper that includes the following:
1. Explaining why this news item is important to business
2. How does it relate to the topic assigned for the week
3. Apply the questions of critical thinking
Late homework will not be accepted.
Homework is due every week beginning 2/8 except when an exam or presentations are given.
 Scholastic Dishonesty

Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students who violate the University of Texas at Dallas’
rules on scholastic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of
failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. I will strictly enforce the University’s
policies. This policy applies to all assignments, whether papers, homework, oral presentations, tests,
etc.

Case Discussions

Each week, students will be called on randomly to discuss the case assigned for the week. Some case
discussions will be role play activities, others will be debates. If you are not present when your name is
called, you will receive a zero for this portion of the grade.

Exams

The exams will consist of multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank and short essay questions. The
questions are primarily from the lectures and discussions.

Class Participation

The class participation component means that you must come to class prepared to discuss the assigned
reading and the clipping you brought as homework. The assigned seating will assist me in knowing your
name and your level of participation in order for you to receive participation credit. I will call on people at
random if necessary to make sure that the quiet students have a chance.

Email

U.T. Dallas provides each student with a free email account that is to be used in communication with
university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for
students to forward their U.T. Dallas mail to other accounts. Students may go to the following URL to
establish or maintain their official U.T. Dallas computer account: http://netid.utdallas.edu/. Please email
through WebCT as I will not reply to non-UTD email addresses.

Classroom Rules

You are required to attend class. Respect your fellow students – turn off cell phones, no talking amongst
yourselves, be on time. This course is discussion driven, so please allow everyone a chance to speak and be
heard.
No late assignments!
Date Topic Steiner/Steiner Browne & Keeley Case Assignment

1/11 Introduction Chapters 1-3

1/18 Chapters 4-14

1/25 Framework Chapters 1 & 2

2/1 Business Power Chapters 3 & 4

2/8 Corporate Social Responsibility Chapters 5 & 6 Levi Strauss

2/8 FIRST HOMEWORK DUE

2/15 Ethics Chapters 7 & 8 Dow Corning

2/22 Business in Politics Chapter 11 Federal Express

3/1 EXAM I

3/8 Spring Break

3/15 Multinational Corporations Chapter 12 Union Carbide

3/22 Environmental Policy Chapters 14 & 15 Johns Manville

3/29 Consumerism Chapter 16 Advertising

Alcohol

4/5 The Workplace Chapter 17 Drug Testing

4/12 Civil Rights/Governance Chapters 18 & 19 Adarand v. Pena

4/19 Group Presentations

4/26 Final Exam

The reading assignment schedule is subject to change.