BS3728: Ethics and Morality of Business
| School | Cardiff Business School |
| Department Code | CARBS |
| Module Code | BS3728 |
| External Subject Code | 100078 |
| Number of Credits | 20 |
| Level | L6 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Professor Thomas Entwistle |
| Semester | Double Semester |
| Academic Year | 2025/6 |
Outline Description of Module
The module will examine ethical issues and dilemmas in business. The main concepts and moral philosophical theories that have been used to understand and explain business ethics will be introduced. In this way it is intended that students will be able to gain an understanding of why ethical problems arise, what their significance might be, and how they might be attended to. Ultimately, the aim of the module is to enable students to reflect upon ethical questions with a view to enhancing their analytical and decision-making skills.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- Identify and critically analyse common ethical issues arising in business.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the moral philosophical theories which may be relevant to such critical analysis.
- Diagnose ethical problems and suggest how they might be resolved or dealt with.
How the module will be delivered
The module will be delivered through a mix of large & small group face-to-face sessions, including, where relevant, supporting digital learning activities and/or recordings
Skills that will be practised and developed
Intellectual Skills:
- Demonstrate the ability to analyse and debate ethical problems in business, and to develop, present and defend potential solutions.
Discipline Specific Skills:
- Skills of critical evaluation, the research process and the application of academic theory to professional practice.
How the module will be assessed
The module is assessed in two evenly weighted assessments. Work in the first semester will be assessed by a 1.5 hour exam in the January assessment period. The second semester’s work will be assessed by a 2000 word assignment.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam - Autumn Semester | 50 | Ethics And Morality Of Business - Autumn Examination | 1.5 |
| Written Assessment | 50 | Assignment, 2000 Words. | N/A |
Syllabus content
The module is structured around four themes.
- Business Ethics in Philosophical Context: The first part of the module looks at business ethics in context, introducing key philosophical ideas and concepts.
- Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics: This part of the module explores the rise of the corporation and how this reshaped the ethical and social priorities of corporations. Consideration is given to CSR or corporate social responsibility.
- The Ethics of Leadership and Management: This theme will focus on ethical practice within organisations, questioning the ethics of leadership and the employment relationship.
- Contemporary Issues in Business Ethics: this section will focus on the social (and ethical) responsibility of business schools, and alternative ways of doing business ethics.