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BADM 2001: Markets and Politics – Spring 2022
GWU Department of Strategic Management and Public Policy

IMPORTANT: Class sessions on January 11th and 13th will meet via Zoom. Regular office hours
on Jan. 11th and 13th will be held via Zoom. Links are available on the Blackboard course site.

Class time and location:
• Section 12: Tuesday & Thursday 11:10am – 12:25pm, Hall of Government 101
• Section 13: Tuesday & Thursday 2:20pm – 3:35pm, Hall of Government 102

Professor: Thomas Choate, PhD
Email: tchoate@gwu.edu
Course website: Blackboard
Office hours: Tues. & Thurs. 10am – 11am at Funger Hall 602 or by appointment via Zoom

1. Description and learning objectives
This course is an introduction to the study of the political interaction between business,
government, and society. After taking this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify the basic principles of public policy making in the US and other countries;
2. Assess, and analyze how corporate strategies are affected by politics, regulations, and
stakeholders pressures;
3. Formulate effective/responsible business political strategies to manage relations with
governments and other groups in society; and
4. Explain normative debates on the roles of markets and firms.

2. Course organization
The course covers three major areas:
1. Markets, firms, and their roles in society
2. Politics and public policymaking processes
3. Non-market strategies in public policymaking

These topics will be examined in both theory and practice using readings and case studies. Socratic
method class discussions are the core of the course. Therefore, you are required to attend all
classes, complete readings before class, and actively participate in discussions.

Over 14 weeks, students will spend approximately 2.5 hours per week in class (35 hours for the
semester). Required readings for the course meetings, assignments, and preparation for exams are
expected to take, on average, 5 hours per week over 15 weeks (75 hours for the semester).

3. Required Readings
There is no course textbook. Readings and cases for class will be available on the Blackboard
course site. Slides and class recordings will be posted on Blackboard after each class session.

Some readings will be from major newspapers. Please ensure that you have access to the New
York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post through GW’s free digital news
subscriptions at https://library.gwu.edu/digital-news-subscriptions. I also encourage you to read
headlines each day to see if you can identify any non-market business issues.
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4. Course Calendar and Topics
The up-to-date course schedule, including readings and cases, can be found here.

4.1 Midterm exam:
In class through Blackboard on Thursday, March 3rd.

4.2 Final exam:
• Section 12: To be announced.
• Section 13: To be announced.

5. Grading
The final course grades will depend upon the performance measures as follows:
20% Participation in class and attendance
5% Pre-course and post-course surveys
10% Blackboard discussion board assignments (5)
15% Case assignments (5)
25% Midterm exam
25% Final exam

5.1 Grading scale
Ordinarily, the following scale distribution will be used to determine your final course grades:
A = 94.0% - 100% A- = 90.0% - 93.9%
B+ = 87.0% - 89.9% B = 84.0% - 86.9%
B- = 80.0% - 83.9% C+ = 77.0% - 79.9%
C = 74.0% - 76.9% C- = 70.0% - 73.9%
D = 60.0% - 69.9% F = 59.9% and below

Per the GWSB grade distribution guidelines (see the question “What are GWSB’s grade
distribution guidelines?” in the section “Academic Success”), the average GPA in a Business
Administration course should fall between 2.9 and 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. If necessary, a curve will
be applied at the end of the semester to bring the class average GPA within this range.

5.2 Class participation
Your active class participation is critical for producing a rich learning environment. The
evaluation of participation is based on the evaluation rubric detailed on page 4.

I will post a “call list” on Blackboard, designating students who will be called to answer
questions and should be especially prepared for a given class session. Participation while on
the call list affects the participation grade, but not to the exclusion of other participation.

There will be no call list during class sessions designated for discussion of a case. Instead, I
may assign students to groups in advance to argue for certain interests or positions in the case.
(Students will also have the opportunity to present their own positions.)


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5.3 Surveys
I greatly value your input on course content based on your interests and experience. I will seek
your prior familiarity of planned topics and ask for suggestions through a pre-course survey
due Friday January 14th. A post-course survey will be due on Friday April 22nd.

5.4 Blackboard discussion board assignments
Throughout the semester, you should make at least one comment on each of five (5)
Blackboard discussion boards. As indicated on the course schedule, I will post a question or
questions on a reading or set of readings to the Blackboard discussion boards. For credit, you
can respond to this question, comment respectfully on another student’s response, ask your
own question about the reading to improve your understanding, or respond to another
student’s question about the reading.

You must submit your response on a particular reading or readings before 11:59pm the day
before the relevant class meeting. Late submissions will not receive credit.

5.5 Case assignments
There will be five (5) case assignments preceding in-class case discussions. These will usually
consist of multiple choice questions and/or application of a course framework to the case.

These assignments will be due as indicated on the course schedule. You must submit the case
assignment before 11:59pm the day before the relevant case discussion in class. Late
submissions will not receive credit.

5.6 Exams
Exams will be taken on Blackboard and be open notes, slides, readings, etc. Exams will have
strict time limits enforced through Blackboard.

Requests for make–up exams must be in accordance with university policy. For final exams, a
make-up date is available if you have three or more final exams scheduled on the same day.


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Participation evaluation rubric1

Class participation is evaluated more on quality than quantity. Always be respectful of others.
When you disagree with someone, be sure to criticize the idea not the person.

Grade Criteria
A
range
The student in this grade range:
• Arrives on time and attends all classes (or notifies professor in advance if absent).
• Makes comments that reveal that the student has read carefully.
• Does not try to dominate the class.
• Raises her/his hand to participate and responds readily to the professors’ questions.
• Shows courtesy to the opinions of others, and
• Avoids emailing, texting, internet surfing, and/or side conversations during class.
B
range
A student receiving a grade within the B range, fulfills all of the criteria for a student earning
an A, except:
• Makes less developed contributions less frequently than those of an A level student.
• Misses a couple of classes and/or occasionally arrives late.
• Occasionally emails, texts, surfs the internet, etc., during class.
C
range
The student in this grade range:
• Seldom participates in class,
• Gives only minimal answers when called upon,
• Misses more than a couple of classes and/or occasionally arrives late, and/or
• Is often inattentive and/or distracted by emailing, texting, etc., during class.
F
range
The student in this grade range:
• Very rarely if ever participates in class,
• Shows little courtesy to others by constantly emailing, texting, internet surfing, and
engaging in side conversations during class, and/or
• Misses more than 4 classes and/or frequently arrives late.
Factors that lower your grade (even when participating frequently):
• Missing classes and/or arriving late to class
• Emailing, texting, Internet surfing, and engaging in side conversations during class
• Not raising your hand to obtain a turn to speak
• Not showing courtesy to others in class



1 Sources: 1. Bean, J. & Dean, P. Grading Classroom Participation.
2. GWU University Honors Program. Social Science Seminar Semester #1 Model Syllabus, Fall 2008.



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6. University Policies

6.1 University policy on observance of religious holidays
In accordance with University policy, students should notify faculty during the first week of
the semester, but no later than three weeks prior to the absence, of their intention to be absent
from class on their day(s) of religious observance. For details and policy, see “Religious
Holidays” at provost.gwu.edu/policies-procedures-and-guidelines.

6.2 Academic integrity code
Academic dishonesty is defined as cheating of any kind, including misrepresenting one's own
work, taking credit for the work of others without crediting them and without appropriate
authorization, and the fabrication of information. For details and complete code, see:
studentconduct.gwu.edu/code-academic-integrity


6.3 Safety and security
In an emergency: call GWPD 202-994-6111 or 911. For situation-specific actions: review the
Emergency Response Handbook. The university provides tools to help students stay informed.

6.4 Writing Center
GW’s Writing Center cultivates confident writers in the University community by facilitating
collaborative, critical, and inclusive conversations at all stages of the writing process. Working
alongside peer mentors, writers develop strategies to write independently in academic and
public settings. Appointments can be booked online. See gwu.mywconline.com.

6.5 Academic Commons
Academic Commons provides tutoring and other academic support resources to students in
many courses. Students can schedule virtual one-on-one appointments or attend virtual drop-in
sessions. Students may schedule an appointment, review the tutoring schedule, access other
academic support resources, or obtain assistance at academiccommons.gwu.edu.

6.6 Disability Support Services (DSS) 202-994-8250
Any student who may need an accommodation based on the potential impact of a disability
should contact the Disability Support Services office at in Rome Hall, 801 22nd Street, NW,
Suite 102, to establish eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations. For
additional information see: disabilitysupport.gwu.edu/


6.7 Counseling and Psychological Services 202-994-5300
The University's Mental Health Services offers 24/7 assistance and referral to address
students' personal, social, career, and study skills problems. Services for students include:
crisis and emergency mental health consultations confidential assessment, counseling services
(individual and small group), and referrals. For additional information see:
healthcenter.gwu.edu/counseling-and-psychological-services