Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Business, Government, and Ethics (Face-to-Face)

MGMT 4200-02

Course: MGMT 4200-02
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: MHRH
CRN: 10486

Course Description

A study of the interactions of business, government, and society with a focus on business ethics and the social responsibilities of business firms. Topics include the sociopolitical environment of business, government regulation, personal and organizational ethics, and national and international issues facing businesses today. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Acceptance into the School of Business OR permission from a School of Business advisor

Required Texts

Text: Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics and Public Policy, 17th ed., Lawrence, McGraw Hill Publishing, 2022.

Learning Outcomes

When you have successfully completed this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the functions of government and business
  • Compare and contrast the advantages/disadvantages of business regulation
  • Know the importance of the consumer, and why the government protects him/her
  • Discuss intelligently the concepts of equal employment opportunity and Affirmative Action specifically, and corporate social responsibility generally
  • Understand the role of governments in international trade
  • See how government tax policy affects the business environment
  • Understand the growing trend toward multinational business
  • See how ethics, sustainability and environmentalism are shaping modern business

Course Requirements

• Satisfactory completion of all assignments and exams

• Satisfactory completion and submission of term papers on time

• Satisfactory performance on all exams and papers

• Comprehensive Final Exam

Course Outline

Tentative Course Schedule

Jan 7 – Jan 10
Introduction and Orientation                           
Jan 11 – Jan 17
The Corporation and Stakeholders
Managing Public Issues and Stakeholders
Chapters 1 and 2
Quiz                     
Jan 18 – Jan 24
Corporate Social Responsibility
Chapter 3
Discussion/Activity
Quiz                                     
Jan 25 – Jan 31
Business in a Globalized World
Chapter 4
Quiz             
Feb 1 – Feb 7
Ethics and Ethical Reasoning
Chapter 5
Discussion/Activity
Quiz   
Feb 8 – Feb 14
Organizational Ethics
Chapter 6
Essay
Quiz                                                 
Feb 15 – Feb 21
Business and Government Relations
Chapter 7
Midterm         
Feb 22 – Feb 28
Influencing the Political Environment
Chapter 8
Discussion/Activity
Quiz                       
Mar 1 – Mar 7
Managing for Sustainability
Global Business
Chapters 9 and 10
Essay
Quiz   
         
  ***BREAK***
 
 Mar 14 – Mar 21
The Role of Technology
Chapter 11
Quiz                 
Mar 22 – Mar 28
Regulating and Managing Technology
Chapter 12
Discussion/Activity
Quiz
Mar 29 – Apr 4
Stockholder Rights and Corporate Governance
Chapter 13
Quiz 
Apr 5 – Apr 11
Consumer Protection
Chapter 14
Term Paper                     
Apr 12 – Apr 18
Employees and Diversity
Chapter 15
Team Projects and Reports
Team Assessments
Apr 19 – Apr 25
Finals Week


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

With the exception of exams, individual assignments and projects may be turned in late for half credit with instructor approval if the student makes the request in advance.

Attendance Policy

ADA Statement: If you have a disability which may impair your ability to successfully complete this course, please let Student Support Services (SSS) know during the first week of class. Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations or auxiliary aids will need to contact SSD in Room 206F, Smith Center or phone 865-8022. SSD determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of these services.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.