Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title BUSINESS ETHICS
Code PHIL270
Coordinator Dr AG Tanyi
Philosophy
Attila.Tanyi@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2014-15 Level Two First Semester 15

Aims

To introduce and explain major contemporary perspectives on corporate behaviours.

To introduce moral perspectives as they relate to managerial decision making and corporate structures.

To make students familiar with a range of recurrent ethical problems arising in business.


To improve students'' skills in identifying and analyzing ethical issues that managers and employees face.

To give students practice in formulating, defending, and planning the implementation of action plans managing ethical dilemmas.


Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to discuss the main theories concerning the place of ethics in business.
Students will be able to state the broad principles of, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of, the basic moral theory of consequentialism.
Students will be able to state and discuss the broad ethical principles concerning costs and benefits, and the challenge posed by uncertainty.
Students will be able to state and discuss the broad ethical principles concerning professional roles, competition, and adversarial behaviour.

Students will be able to state and discuss the broad ethical principles concerning profits, and concerning the rights and interests of stakeholders.

Students will be able to state and discuss the broad ethical principles concerning affirmative action.
Students will be able to state and discuss the broad ethical principles concerning the obligations of complex organizations with respect to loyalty and whistle-b lowing.

Students will be able to state and discuss the broad ethical principles concerning the obligations of complex organizations with respect to insider trading.

Students will be able to state and discuss the broad ethical principles concerning the responsibilities of corporations to customers and clients with respect to information disclosure.

Students will be able to state and discuss the broad ethical principles concerning international issues in ethics in employment.
Students will be able to state and discuss the broad ethical principles concerning corporate responsibility in the international context.

Students will be able to state and discuss the broad ethical principles concerning social justice and executive compensation.

Students will be able to consider an ethical approach as a basis for sustainable marketing.


Syllabus

Background for Business Ethics: Is There Room for Ethics in Business?

Basic Theory: Consequentialism and Deontology

Ethical Decisions, Costs and Benefits, and the Challenge Posed by

Uncertainty

Professional Roles, Competition, and Adversary

Profits, What Else? The Rights and Interests of Stakeholders

Whom to Hire? The Question of Affirmative Action

Obligations in Complex Organizations: Loyalty and Whistle-

Blowing

Obligations in Complex Organizations: Insider Trading

Responsibilities to Customers and Clients: In formation Disclosure

Ethics in Employment: International Issues

Responsibility in the International Context: Core Values, Moral

Minimums

Social Justice and Executive Compensation


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lectures with online support

Workshops

The module is taught by one weekly lecture (2 hours) and, over the course of the semester, two workshops (each two hours). 

At the beginnning the lecturer will explain what is expected of students. The emphasis is on making students familiar with key ethical concepts, frameworks, and ideas and the way they apply to decision-making in business. To ensure the strong connection between theory and practice, throughout the course case studies will be used for purposes of ethical analysis.

Full resources will be available on the electronic blackboard VITAL, including audio files of the lecture, lecture summaries, and links to secondary and further readings.


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 18
9 x 2 hours
        4
Workshop- 2 x 2 hours
4
Assessment- Exam (2 hours) and two onlines tests (1 hour each)
26
Timetable (if known) 9 x 2 hours
 
           
Private Study 124
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
TBC  2 hours  60  Yes    Coursework consists of two 1,000-word essays, submitted electronically, and two online tests. Each of these items is weighted at 10%. There is no resit opportunity for the two online tests.  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
TBC  1 hour (online test)  10  No reassessment opportunity     
TBC  1 hour (online test)  10  No reassessment opportunity     
TBC  1000 words  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies   
TBC  1000 words  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies   

Recommended Texts

Beauchamp, T. L. Case Studies in Business, Society, and Ethics (London:Pearson/Prentice Hall, 5th edition, 2003).

Ferrell, O.C. Fraedrich, J. and Ferrell, L. Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases (London: Houghton Mifflin, 7th edition, 2007).
Donaldson, T. Werhane, P. and Van Zandt, J. Ethical Issues in Business: A Philosophical Approach (London: Pearson, 8th edition, 2008).

DesJardins, J. R. and McCall, J. J. Contemporary Issues in Business Ethics (New York: Cengage Learning, 5th edition, 2004).