Thinking and Acting Ethically (MGMT90292)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | May |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Moral decision-making is a practical skill which we exercise many times a day, confidently and accurately. Sometimes, however, we face situations of moral complexity or novelty, where it is not obvious what we should do. In this subject, we look at the ways in which moral theory can assist us to think about such situations, particularly as they arise in our working and organisational life. We begin by examining the nature of moral reasoning, and then see how it can be applied to a number of ethical issues which we are likely to encounter in our professional lives. These issues may include, autonomy and paternalism, role morality and its relationship with personal morality, whistle-blowing, free speech in the workplace, personal and professional relationships, corruption and bribery, conflicts of interest, and privacy and confidentiality. We focus on the factors that help or hinder ethical action in organizational settings, including both structural elements (such as role clarity, avoidance of perverse incentives, accountability mechanisms) and personal traits (such as cognitive biases and moral (dis)engagement). Case studies will provide a focus for reflective work: students will be encouraged to develop case studies from their own experience, and pursue their own interests.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Employ key concepts and theoretical tools in ethics
- Apply these to the understanding of morally complex situations, including in their own working life
- Contribute in an informed and reasoned way to ethical debate about such situations.
- Develop well-reasoned ethical positions on contemporary moral issues by synthesizing various ethical concepts and principles.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Think critically
- Analyse and evaluate concepts, theories, and arguments
- Develop and present arguments for or against a position
- Consider multiple viewpoints and arguments for those viewpoints
- Articulate ideas, concepts, and interpretations with clarity and coherence
- Engage in critical reflection, synthesis, and evaluation of research-based and scholarly literature.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the MC-EMA Executive Master of Arts
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
PHIL90022 Thinking and Acting Ethically
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Assignment
| Week 2 | 30% |
Essay
| 4 Weeks after the end of teaching | 70% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- May
Principal coordinator Klaus Jahn Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 25 hours: 1 x 5-hour seminar per week over a 5-week intensive teaching period. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 May 2025 to 30 May 2025 Last self-enrol date 7 May 2025 Census date 16 May 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 30 May 2025 Assessment period ends 13 June 2025 May contact information
Klaus Jahn: klaus.jahn@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Please note: Students wishing to enrol in this subject must be admitted to the Executive Master of Arts
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
All required readings will be available in a subject reader, which will be available on the LMS.
Indicative Readings:
- Andrew Alexandra and Seumas Miller, Ethics in Practice: Moral Theory and the Professions. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press, 2009.
- Andrew Alexandra and Seumas Miller, Integrity Systems for Occupational Groups. Farnham: Ashgate, 2009.
- Margaret Coady and Sidney Bloch, Codes of Ethics and the Professions. Melbourne: MUP,1996.
- Neil Levy, Moral Relativism: A Short Introduction. Oxford: Oneworld, 2002.
- Mike Martin, Meaningful Work: Rethinking Professional Ethics. New York: OUP, 2000.
- Larry May, The Socially Responsive Self: Social Theory and Professional Ethics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press,1996.
- Justin Oakley and Dean Cocking, Virtue ethics and professional roles. Melbourne: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
- William Shaw and Vincent Barry, Moral Issues in Business (8th ed.). Florence, KY: Wadsworth, 2001.
- Dennis Thompson, Restoring Responsibility: Ethics in Government, Business, and Healthcare. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.
- Bernard Williams, Morality: An Introduction to Ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
- Related Handbook entries
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 4 March 2025