(For the course aims, see the summary of course content and the learning outcomes.)

This course considers some of the most important ethical issues in business today. Students will examine such issues as businesses’ responsibilities to shareholders, workers, and consumers, the pros and cons of a ‘free market’, the challenges raised by globalization and environmental destruction, the idea of ‘ethical’ consumption, and the particular dilemmas raised by Western businesses’ foreign operations. Issues will be studied through a selection of contemporary cases, arguments, and broader theories, along with much class discussion, designed to help students develop a familiarity with the issues and their ability to discuss and defend their own opinions about them.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

recognise ethical issues raised in business’ relations to shareholders, workers, consumers, the wider society, the environment, and international business;

analyse and evaluate relevant cases, positions, and arguments;

analyse, evaluate, and apply broader theoretical approaches to business ethics;

employ these materials to develop informed, reasoned positions regarding these ethical issues, cases, and theories;

make informed and appropriate reference to relevant readings;

present, discuss, analyse, and evaluate ethical issues, positions, and arguments orally and in written forms, and in individual and group contexts.

(For the assessment criteria, see the assessment method section.)

Students are expected to attend, prepare for, and participate in all classes. (On the importance of this, see the assessment method section.)