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Money Matters will present Judaism’s approach to pra
ctical economic dilemmas and monetary quandaries that we face daily in both
our personal and professional lives.
The goal of this course is to provide a sensitive, fair, and unshakable eco
nomic paradigm grounded in 3,000 years of tradition and practical experienc
e—an ancient yet fresh spin on how we view ethics of money.
Students will emerge from this course with an understanding
that only a divine economic system can ensure unequivocal justice while re
cognizing the virtue in each stakeholder’s position. Money Matters will sho
w how the Torah’s sharply discerning yet holistic rulings inspire us with t
he confidence to confront any ethical economic dilemma.
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/p> Course Overview
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| Hot Tips: The Ethics of Insider Trading
Information is a valuable commodi
ty--this fact has been made clear by recent stories of high-profile prosecu
tions on insider trading charges. But is it fair to require companies to ma
ke information readily available to people who did not expend the time, eff
ort, and money to attain it? Can stealing or misusing information be likene
d to property theft? How do we set up markets which ensure that risk is app
ortioned fairly? In this lesson, we will compare and contrast what American
law and Jewish law have to say on the subject. |
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| B
y the Sweat of Their Brows: Wages of the Working Poor |
While a lucky few go home wit
h millions, many more return home in poverty. What is the best way to solve
the problem of the "working poor"? Should employers be obligated to pay th
eir employees the minimum hourly income necessary for a worker to meet basi
c needs? This lesson will explore this hotly debated issue from both the an
gle of Jewish law, as well as from the perspective of "going beyond the let
ter of the law"--a central pillar of Jewish business ethics. |
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| Morally Bankrupt? The Ethics of Debt Discharge
In times of old, when a de
btor was not able to repay his debts, he was sold as a slave or thrown into
prison. Today, we have bankruptcy laws that protect individuals from this
fate. But is it ethical to borrow without repaying? If someone earns the mo
ney later in life, should they be obligated to repay their settled debts? T
his lesson explores the Jewish legal perspective on bankruptcy, emphasizing
how we can incorporate secular local laws and customs into Jewish law. |
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State of the Union: The Right to Organize, to Bargain Co
llectively, and to Strike |
The controversy over union rights is recurrently strewn a
cross U.S. headlines. What does Jewish law have to say about whether worker
s should have the right to unionize and bargain collectively? And does it m
atter whether they are public- or private-sector employees? Should the righ
t to strike be granted, despite the harm it can cause to society? Does the
type of industry make a difference? This lesson will present the Talmud's e
nlightening spin on unionization, collective bargaining, and strikes. |
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Fabulously Wealthy or Filthy Rich? The Ethics of
CEO Compensation | In the recent economic downturn, much fury has arisen from reports
that CEOs of Americas biggest companies take grand bonuses and huge salari
es. Is it morally wrong to seek extravagance? Are those who criticize their
good fortune just jealous, or is their disgust valid? This lesson will dis
cuss some of the moral problems related to CEO compensation, including some
conflicts of interest. |
 | | Buyer Aware: Another Sid
e to Business Ethics | Let's be honest: who isn't looking for a bargain? On the other
hand, how often do we question the ethics of our deal-seeking? Can we move
to more expensive vacant seats at a ball-game? Is there anything wrong wit
h engaging a sales person with questions about a product when we have littl
e or no intention of buying it there? This eye-opening lesson addresses var
ious scenarios relating to the average market purchase that most of us face
daily. |
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