PUA 450: Business, Government and Society
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Instructor:
Raymond E. Foster, MPA
 
Course Description:
This course introduces the learner to theories and concepts in the relations between business, government, and society. Concepts to be examined include models of business and government relations, business ethics, social responsibility, government regulation, and global forces shaping the government and business environment.

Learning Results:

• Describe the organizational chart of the government of the United States;
• Explain the structure and design of public organizations charged with regulating the business and economic environment;
• Explain concepts and related public administration and management jargon;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the main theories of business ethics;
• Summarize and apply the main theories of business-government relations; and,
• Compare and contrast government regulations of business throughout U.S. history.

 

Source Material:
Steiner, J. & Steiner, G. (2006) Business, Government and Society: A Managerial Perspective. 11th Edition, McGraw-Hill, ISBN No. 0071198997
 

Expanded Descriptions of Assignments

Forum Participation
Through the forum you will be able to participate and establish a dialogue with other learners in this course as well as other courses being taught by your instructor. To receive full credit for participation you must answer each discussion question and respond to at least one other learner/student in the same discussion question. Minimally, you will complete two posts on the forum during each module for a total of eight postings (four original, four responses). Links to the specific questions are on each module page.

Public Service Ethics Paper
The Institute for Local Government (ILG) has published Of Cookie Jars and Fishbowls: A Public Office’s Guide to the Use of Public Resources. The guide is hyperlinked off the course website. Download the guide. Select one of the first five chapters. Compare what the ILG has to say about the ethics with your primary text book (particularly the chapters on ethics and social responsibility). Write a 4-6 page analysis on one or more the “Issues to Ponder” you find within the ILG Publication.

Link to the ILG Publication

Website Review
Each learner will be assigned to conduct a review of two specific websites. They will then provide a ten minute presentation on the websites, as well as a one-page briefing paper. The learner shall provide a copy of the briefing paper to each member of the class. The following websites are hyperlinked off the course website. This is a practical analysis, presentation and writing assignment. In your paper, briefly describe the website and relevancy to your organization. Write the paper as if you were preparing a briefing for an upper level manager in your organization. Use whatever format (such as memo) that your organization would use.  Click on the navigation link above to find the websites.
 

Group Project Paper and Panel Discussion
Learners will be organized by group. Describe an instance of government intervention at the local level. Local newspapers, city council meetings and city websites are a good source for issues. At a minimum address: 1) the rationale for intervention; 2) identify and analyze all the stakeholders (especially the group the intervention was attempting to protect); 3) how was the intervention accomplished (was there a new committee, reviewing authority, regulation, law, etc); 4) how does the local intervention fit with state and federal efforts; 5) identify any unintended consequences; and, 6) draw conclusions and make recommendations. Your group paper should be 8-10 pages in length. Your group should be prepared to conduct a 30 minute panel discussion on the intervention.


Chapter Discussion Questions
Answer all questions identified in the module. Answer the questions using your best academic voice. Your response to each question should be no less than two paragraphs and no more than one page per question. Superior work will not only demonstrate an understanding of the material, but also relate it to either current events; learner prior experience; or, other readings and/or course work.
 

General Written Work Guidelines
All papers are must be scholarly in nature. Superior work with follow APA format.

Ethical Conduct
Learners should be aware that there are severe consequences for violations of academic ethical conduct. Primarily, we are concerned with cheating and plagiarism. Learners who are determined to have cheated or committed plagiarism will face disciplinary action as identified within UI&U regulations. For additional clarification of cheating and/or plagiarism, refer to the UI&U Catalog for policies regarding Academic Integrity. Each paper submitted in this course must be original work. Recycling papers from previous courses is considered academic dishonesty.

 

Learning Evaluation:
Grading:

Participation 10%
Website Review 10%
Discussion questions 30%
Issue Paper 25%
Group Project 25%
Semester Total 100%

 

A

90-100%

B

80-89%

C

70-79%

U

69% and Under


 

 

 

 

Download a copy of the Course Syllabus

© 2004-2009 Raymond E. Foster, Hi Tech Criminal Justice