For the Word Format Click Here

Course Description:

Environmental issues represent both a challenge and an opportunity for business. The term environment encompasses a multitude of definition; in this course emphasis will be on the interaction between business and its physical environment. It is no longer acceptable to think simplistically about a trade-off between environmental quality and economic development. Rather, business leaders and citizens need to work on strategies that will encompass both. Manager cannot afford to ignore the challenges and opportunities posed by environmental questions but need to be knowledgeable about current practices and innovative approaches to these issues.

The topic of business and the environment is a huge one: we will look broadly at key issues, then move toward specific examples. Required readings will include material from a variety of perspectives, including ecology, economics, and public policy. Emphasis will be on understanding the arguments surrounding governmental regulation versus market-based strategies of environmental protection, environmental values, and property rights. This foundation will be the basis for subsequent readings, cases, and regional examples of business and environmental issues and innovative ‘best’ practices. Local speakers (business, regulatory, environmental advocates) may be invited to discuss specific issues related to the course.

This is a senior level seminar (NOT a lecture course), and the reading requirements are substantial. There is no ‘one’ text for this class. Rather, you will be using three paperback books and a LARGE number of articles that are on electronic reserve. This is a very exciting and rapidly changing topic, and we will be reviewing some ‘classical’ arguments as well as very contemporary ones. Student involvement in class discussions, issue analyses, and activities is essential. See guidelines for success (attached).

I welcome any student questions/comments, and encourage you to take advantage of my office hours (or set up an appointment) should you so desire.

Course Objectives:

• Develop awareness of key environmental issues and the ways in which businesses are addressing environmental concerns
• Critique different analyses of business and environmental interactions
• Demonstrate understanding of complexity of environmental and regulatory issues and business responses
• Demonstrate understanding of concepts related to sustainability, and the ways in which some businesses are adopting and implementing these concepts

Performance Objectives:

In its pursuit of AACSB accreditation, the College of Business is engaged in a continuous improvement process. As our mission statement states, "The academic programs of the college develop student competencies in oral communication, effective writing, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and effective utilization of information and technology for business decisions." In light of our mission and the above course objectives, the following core competencies and performance objectives will be emphasized, on a scale of 1 (low emphasis) to 5 (high emphasis).

Critical thinking (5). Students will be required to develop and present (orally and in writing) thoughtful analyses of issues related to the environment and business practices. Students will also be required to respond to material and discussions initiated by others. The material covered in the course encompasses a variety of viewpoints and theories, and students will need to demonstrate familiarity with this material through in-class interactions, essay exam, and a research project. Individual contributions to class discussion are expected and valued

Oral communication (4): students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings. Criteria for evaluating oral arguments will be circulated prior to presentations, and feedback from class participants will be solicited.

Effective writing (5): students are required to submit several written analyses, including essay exams and a research paper on a topic of interest. Evaluation will be based on both content and mechanics (e.g. grammar). Criteria for evaluating written materials is attached. In addition, each student will be required to provide a peer review of another student’s research paper.

Assessment/Grading:

In order to ‘encourage’ reading of assigned material prior to class, beginning in week two each student will type up five questions to be turned in on the assigned readings. These questions will be collected, and will serve as the basis for class discussion. They will be evaluated simply as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. In addition, unannounced quizzes are a possibility.

Over the course of the semester, each student will lead the class discussion on one of the assigned readings. This means you will need to know that particular article quite well, and work to engage the class in a discussion. We will talk more about this before anyone has to do it!

There will be three short (1 page) written assignments. These will be on questions or topics relevant to the course.

Each student is required to write a paper (8-10 pages double spaced) on a relevant topic of interest (topic needs instructor’s prior approval). After submission, each paper will be peer reviewed and evaluated - in addition to being graded by the instructor.

There will be a (take home) final exam, consisting of essay questions. The questions will be based on assigned readings and class discussion; they will be handed out one week before the final and due at the time of our scheduled final.

    Breakdown of grading                                             % of final grade
    Paper (including peer review)                                            30
    Three 1 page written assignments (5% each)                      15
    Class participation/questions (and/or Quizzes)                    20
    Leading class discussion on one reading                             10
    Final essay exam                                                             25

Grades will be computed using the percentages specified above. Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

    90 and above A
    80 and above B
    70 and above C
    60 and above D
    below 60 ………………………your life in the new millennium is ruined…

Additional Information:

The outline is tentative and subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class.

You will notice on the outline that there are many readings on electronic reserve. In order to access these materials, you need to:

• go to the MSU Billings homepage
• click on library
• click on library catalogue (in yellow bar)
• click on reserve desk (gray bar)
• type in my name (mcnally) and click on instructor
• click on my name again – a list of the courses I have reserve material for will come up
• click on this class (Bus & Env). The required online readings are organized in folders by topic, as outlined in the attached course schedule. For example, for Week 2, there is an Introduction folder that contains the two required on line readings.
• You may read the articles on line or print them off
• Electronic reserve is available via internet, but the connection is MUCH BETTER on-campus (unless you have broadband)

Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated.

You are responsible for all enrollment matters.

Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Please meet with [DSS] staff to verify your eligibility for any classroom accommodations and for academic assistance related to your disability. Disability Support Services is located in the Academic Support Center.