Module Information
Course Delivery
Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
---|---|
Lecture | 16 |
Seminars / Tutorials | 4 |
Assessment
Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
---|---|---|
Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Unseen written examination | 85% |
Semester Assessment | Group poster presentation | 15% |
Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Unseen written examination | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
* Demonstrate an understanding of theories of ethics;
* Analyse business scenarios by applying ethical theories;
* Critically evaluate the ethical basis of business activity;
* Analyse the role of business in society;
* Critically reflect on ethical conduct of individuals in business.
Aims
Brief description
The module will begin by reflecting on why business ethics has become so important. It will also consider how businesses might respond to the ethical expectations of various groups. We will then turn to the contentious issue of assessing ethicality. A range of different ways of thinking about ethics will be introduced and aplied to practical, business scenarios. This will enable students to explore the implications of these different ethics theories for business practice. Furthermore, considering practical scenarios through the lens of different ethics theories will help students to reflect on the ethical dimensions of those scenarios. The module will also consider the role that business plays, or could play, in society and how this relates to the conduct of individual business people.
Content
- Why should business bother about ethics?
- Identifying instrumental stakeholders
- Some contrasting responses that businesses might adopt towards ethics
- Differentiating normative responsibilities from instrumental responsibilities
- The power of business
- Ethical business conduct as maximising wellbeing
- Rights in relation to business
- Ethics as observing the contractial obligations that define business relationships
- Business ethics and the concept of duty
- Virtue in business
- Considering the purpose of business
- Business and the creation of shareholder wealth
- Corporate social responsibility
Module Skills
Skills Type | Skills details |
---|---|
Communication | Students will be expected to communicate effectively using a variety of media and reporting formats used in business. |
Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be expected to develop their own learning and performance, and demonstrate self-management in terms of time, planning and behaviour in all aspects of the module. |
Information Technology | Students will utilize information technology and internet resources in preparing presentations and in personal study. |
Personal Development and Career planning | The module developes personal and interpersonal skills including independence, self awareness and critical thought. |
Problem solving | The module will develop the skills of identifying and refining problems. Problem solving skills will be developed through the negotiation inherent in team work (group presentation). |
Research skills | Students should be able to exercise appropriate judgement in the location, extraction and presentation of information, methods or resources. |
Subject Specific Skills | The module will develop critical reflection on the relationship between ethics, business practice and the individual. |
Team work | Students will work in groups in tutorials and in preparing a poster presentation. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4