PHL 4180

EVOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN WORKER

This is a 3-credit elective course in philosophy and business, comprised of online classes and discussion fora combined with two full-day Saturday off-campus site-visits to museums, a mining village and other relevant historical sites. The course will cover the economic development of labor and workplaces, Frederick Taylor/Taylorism/management of workers, workplace safety, the reason for the rise in organized labor, and ethical dimensions related to the practice of American business. Special emphasis will be placed upon the concepts of justice, the common good, corporate social responsibility, and philanthropy. Students will think critically about business operations through the dual lenses of capitalism/for-profit goals and humanism/social conscience in the treatment of workers.

Units: 3.0