Course Description
Studies general moral principles and their application to ethical issues and problems pertaining to business activities, and the nature of the corporation in contemporary society.
Course Objectives
After completing this course, students will be able to
- Interpret ethical concepts which are relevant to resolving ethical dilemmas
- Formulate moral reasoning and analytical skills needed to resolve ethical dilemmas
- Analyze how practicing managers have attempted to resolve ethical challenges they have encountered
- Clarify personal values and develop a personal code of managerial ethics
Week 1
Module: Introduction – Why Study Business Ethics?
Lecture: Introduction
Note: While listening to this lecture it is very important to note the way that ethical arguments can be judged (good vs. bad), and justified (acceptable vs. unacceptable, valid vs. invalid, etc.).
Outcomes
- Compare and contrast ethics and business ethics
- Assess factors such as cynicism and trust and their relationship to business ethics
- Appraise examples of unethical behavior
- Evaluate the relationship between business and ethics
Week 2
Module: Deciding What's Right: Thinking About Ethics
Lecture: Deciding What's Right: Thinking About Ethics
Outcomes
- Recognize an ethical dilemma and analyze the points of conflict
- Outline ethical reasoning
- Compare and contrast the various approaches to ethical thinking
- Explain the eight steps to sound ethical decision making in business
- Interpret the relationship between values and ethics
Week 3
Module: Deciding What's Right: Ethical Awareness, Judgment, and Action
Lecture: Deciding What's Right: Ethical Awareness, Judgment, and Action
Outcomes
- Analyze factors which influence ethical awareness
- Explain how each person’s mental process molds their ethical decisions
- Distinguish the three levels of cognitive moral development
- Recognize cognitive barriers to sound ethical judgment
Week 4
Module: Common Ethical Problems and Finding Your Ethical Voice
Lecture: Common Ethical Problems and Finding Your Ethical Voice
Outcomes
- Interpret the meaning of the statement “find your ethical voice”
- Explain the concept of key-people when discussing ethical issues within organizations
- Illustrate other common ethical issues
- Detail the issues related to whistle blowing
Week 5
Module: Ethical Culture and Managing For Ethics
Lecture: Ethical Culture and Managing For Ethics
Outcomes
- Substantiate the importance of an ethical culture
- Summarize the components necessary for an ethical culture
- Compare and contrast ethical culture and ethical climate
- Relate the process and challenges of workplace ethics
Week 6
Module: Ethical Behavior and Employee Engagement
Lecture: Ethical Behavior and Employee Engagement
Outcomes
- Recognize that business ethics is primarily about behavior
- Evaluate your own ethical selves
- Discuss discipline in terms of reward and punishment
- Relate the importance of roles and responsibility to instilling ethical behavior
- Appraise the importance of making sure employees are engaged
Week 7
Module: Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Accountability
Lecture: Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Accountability
Outcomes
- Detail the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR)
- Explain the relationship of CSR to corporate reputation
- Describe stakeholder accountability
- Discuss the relationship of CSR and stakeholders to being an ethical organization
- Explain triple bottom line accounting
Week 8
Module: Organizational Ethics in a Global Context
Lecture: Organizational Ethics in a Global Context
Outcomes
- Evaluate a multinational corporation's ethical obligation to a multicultural workforce
- Comprehend differences of an organization’s values across a global environment
- Explain the importance of cultural dimensions
- Discuss the UN Global Compact
- Describe the unique requirements of global codes of conduct
The course description, objectives and learning outcomes are subject to change without notice based on enhancements made to the course. December 2013
