Introductory description

This is an elective module available for WBS and non-WBS students.

• Introduce students to basic theories of ethics and politics.
• Engage students with a range of ethical challenges faced by contemporary business and other organisations in the practices of their activities and operations.
• Enable students to apply theories of ethics to contemporary issues faced by business and other organisations.
• Enable students to engage with and critically reflect upon ethical choices and dilemmas by engaging in a team based project work which requires them to deal practically with ethical concerns.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction to business ethics and contemporary ethical dilemmas
How narratives, habits and non-reflectiveness affect ethics in organizations
Utilitarian ethics and organizations
Kantian ethics and organizations
Virtue ethics and organizations
Freedom and rights: liberalism and egalitarianism
Marx, commodity fetishism and inhumane working conditions
Feminist Ethics
Ethics and Emotions in Organisations
The future of work; effective labour

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of core theories of ethics.
• Understand key contemporary ethical issues faced by businesses and organisations.
• Utilise critical thinking skills in analyzing ethical dilemmas elicited/explored with the research project
• Understand/have an experience of teamwork and research skills/activities

Indicative reading list

Sandel, M. (2010). Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? London: Penguin Books.
Gibson, K. (2012). Ethics and Business: An Introduction Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Sandbu, Martin (2011) Just Business: Arguments in Business Ethics. London: Pearson Hall.

Subject specific skills

Apply ethical theories to analyse critically contemporary ethical issues faced by businesses and other organisations.
Understand current organizational responses (practices, procedures, etc.) to ethical dilemmas.

Transferable skills

Demonstrate improved verbal communication skills.
Demonstrate improved written communication skills.