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MNGT 140 Business Law I School of Business, Technology & Law

Writing Assignment: Product Liability and Business Ethics in "The Devil We Know"

This Assignment Has Two Due Dates As Follows Draft Paper Due By: 8/12/24 11:00 PM

Best & Final Paper Due By: 8/17/24 11:00 PM

This Assignment is worth 30% of the Overall Course Grade

Overview:

In this assignment, you will either watch the documentary "The Devil We Know" or read about the C8 study stemming from the class action lawsuit filed by residents of Parkersburg, West Virginia against DuPont. This case involves the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as C8, in the production of Teflon and its effects on health and the environment.

Objective:

Your task is to analyze the legal, ethical, and business implications of DuPont's actions regarding the use of PFOA. You will examine the aspects of product liability and business ethics illustrated in this scenario and discuss the broader implications for businesses dealing with potentially harmful products.

This assignment relates to the following course objectives:

• utilize online and library resources to evaluate and disseminate information, • apply theories used in product liability matters to fictional scenarios, • analyze the various ethical theories that apply to business.

Assignment Details:

1. Preparation. Choose an option: o Option 1: Watch the documentary “The Devil We Know” (2018) through an online resource

such as Netflix, AppleTV, Hulu or another service provider o Option 2: Read detailed accounts of the C8 study and the outcomes of the class action

lawsuit against DuPont linked here and here. o Students may also review the recent EPA final regulations on limiting PFAS exposure

in drinking water in the United States that were issued in 2024 for further background on the current research on PFAS exposure and disease load in the US population here.

2. Research Paper Requirements: o Length: 8-10 pages, double-spaced. o Citation Format: MLA citation style. Students should cite to works in-line where used in

your research paper, and should include a Works Cited section with full citations at the end of the paper.

o Sections: ▪ Introduction: Brief background of the case.

MNGT 140 Business Law I

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▪ Main Analysis: ▪ Product Liability: Discuss the legal principles of product liability as they

apply to the DuPont case. Evaluate how DuPont might have breached its duty of care and the implications of such a breach. Students should begin this analysis with reference to the OER textbook on product liability at pp. 226-236.

▪ Business Ethics: Analyze the ethical considerations DuPont faced. Consider the ethical responsibilities of a business towards its consumers and the environment. Discuss the decision-making process and any ethical dilemmas that might have arisen. Students should begin this analysis with reference to the OER textbook on business ethics at pp. 262-291.

▪ Implications: Discuss the broader implications for businesses that operate in industries where products might pose health or environmental risks.

▪ Conclusion: Summarize your findings and suggest measures that could be taken by companies to avoid similar ethical and legal issues.

o Sources: Include a mix of primary and secondary sources. Consider legal documents, academic journals, ethical frameworks, and news articles that are available through the CCBC Library Databases, including ProQuest, WestLaw campus, and Business Search Premier. A minimum of five (5) sources are required for this paper not counting the OER textbook, the documentary, and/or the C8 study.

3. Submission: o Submit your draft research paper by 8/12 through Brightspace. Your best and final version

of your paper is due by 8/17 through Brightspace. Please note that a best effort draft must be submitted or you will be unable to submit a Best and Final.

o Student works should be submitted in MS Word format and will be reviewed for academic integrity concerns through Urkund Ouriginal.

Academic Integrity Reminder I expect all of my students to complete their own work in the course, including the drafting of any written assignment, completion of homework and exams, and any other work product submitted for the course. AI tools such as ChatGPT may be used with this assignment in the following ways: (a) students may use an AI tool like ChatGPT or Grammarly for editing of their work for proper spelling and grammar prior to submission; (b) students may use a customized GPT such as Consensus for academic research, provided that the student reviews each cited source to validate its accuracy and relevance to the paper; and (c) Students are required to properly cite all sources used in work product submitted in this course. This means that students should put quotations around the language of others used, an in-line citation in appropriate citation format (MLA) should appear for quoted language and for ideas used from other academic sources, and full citations should appear in a Works Cited section for MLA-style citations. Evaluation Criteria:

• Depth of Analysis: Quality and thoroughness of the legal and ethical analysis.

MNGT 140 Business Law I

School of Business, Technology & Law

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• Relevance and Accuracy: How well your arguments and discussions are supported by relevant facts and sources.

• Clarity and Coherence: Organization and clarity of writing. • Research Quality: Variety and appropriateness of sources used.

This assignment will help you understand the complex interplay between business practices, legal accountability, and ethical responsibility in a real-world context.