HR9694 - Ethics in Business

This module will involve you engaging in serious thinking and discussion in a research rich intellectual environment. Lectures on key topics will supplement weekly necessary readings and their subject matter will be applied in seminars through debate, role-play, facilitated discussion and simulations making extensive use of online resources. We will make particular use of dramatic narratives that have focussed attention on ethical issues in the workplace by considering plays, novels and films that exemplify conceptual and theoretical material.

The module design is informed by an understanding of ethical education as being developmental; it is not a pick and mix, hence the order in which material is presented is important for your learning. The module is structured in three distinct themes, the second and subsequent of which draw from and builds upon earlier material. For this reason, attendance at sessions and engagement with the necessary readings is absolutely critical to the achievement of your learning outcomes. For the summative assessment you will examine on a workplace ethical issue. You will use the structural, conceptual, and theoretical material considered during the module in doing this and the assignment thereby provides a significant opportunity for enhancing your learning.

Support will be provided to you by a member of academic staff who will facilitate your learning and support you through the led sessions whilst directing you to appropriate activities you should be engaging in during your independent study time. They are also available upon request to support you outside of formal session time by responding to questions or concerns that you might have either via email or via individually pre-arranged appointments and/or drop-in sessions.
Tutor-led, tutor-guided and learner-led activities are organised in groups of around 20 working in smaller teams. This approach provides a closer, more personal academic support.
Academic support is also provided through the provision of a range of University learning support services. A wide range of online support materials are also available thought the virtual learning environment. These materials include recordings also an electronic reading list.

To support you in your academic progress, you will receive both formative and summative feedback/feed-forward on your work through the course of the module. Regular formative feedback on class activities provides you with the necessary guidance to scaffold your knowledge and understanding of key issues to enable your success in the final summative assessment. Summative feedback/feed-forward will be provided on your work after it has been assessed and graded. You should use all feedback that you receive to identify areas of strength and areas for future study and improvement.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1 Demonstrate understanding of ethical concepts and theories in the context of business and management

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO2 Be able to identify presuppositions in ethical claims and evaluations
MLO3 Ability to anticipate the principal arguments and issues that will attend particular business contexts

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO4 A demonstrable commitment to moral coherence and accountability for decisions and stances

Formative assessment:
Throughout the module you should actively participate in scheduled and self-directed activities and should engage in discussions, teamwork and feedback exercises to challenge your own thinking and that of your peers.

Face-to-face sessions will provide you with the opportunity to self-assess your knowledge and understanding through applying the different aspects/topics examined. You will work through small groups activities which will enable you to secure on-going feedback from your peers.

Summative Assessment:
The summative assessment for this module provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate your learning in a context of your choice.

The assessment a 3000-word assignment.

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Ethical judgments pervade business - whether praise for philanthropy, condemnation of environmental impact or debate about diversity. This module focuses on the underlying structures of such ethical dialogue – it enables us to better understand: ‘What is right and wrong in the context of business?’ By learning to identify and anticipate presuppositions, theses, arguments, use of evidence and interpretations involved in ethical dialogue you will be better able to participate in it. You will also be better able to analyse the coherence of your own moral and organisational commitments. The module is research rich in its use of classic approaches to ethics in the context of contemporary debates and is supported by a comprehensive electronic learning platform. It has been designed by a world top 50 university for business ethics and your participation will enhance your ability to engage in policy level debate and hence your employability