Ethics, Social Responsibility and the Law unit (LAW181)

Online

Introduction

Become better prepared to understand concepts of ethics, social responsibility and the law and how these shape individual and collective behaviour in modern society. Sustainable inspirational leadership can only evolve from a legitimate, ethical and socially responsible base. Equally, reputations can be damaged as a result of conduct that is unethical or unlawful and which may have come about as a result of poor judgment and lack of insight and reflection. This unit will challenge your current thinking and ask you to explore different perspectives around ethics, social responsibility and the law and their interconnections. It will equip you to navigate complex professional ethical dilemmas and make positive choices that are individually affirming and socially responsible. Social responsibility is also explored at the collective level and how this is shaping the modern corporate world with growing expectations on companies to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. You will learn theoretical philosophical principles that encompass ethical decision-making and explore how ethical frameworks can assist a person to make appropriate, rationally defensible decisions within a range of settings: professional ethics, with a particular focus on how ethics influences the life of a legal professional; medical ethics and the contemporary research environment; business ethics and the ethical expectations underpinning corporate social responsibility; and the context of policy settings to minimise criminal behaviour. The unit will equip you to navigate complex professional ethical dilemmas and make positive choices that are individually affirming and socially responsible. Social responsibility is also explored at the collective level and how this is shaping the modern corporate world with growing expectations on companies to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

Summary

Unit name	Ethics, Social Responsibility and the Law
Unit code	LAW181
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Law
Discipline	Law|Philosophy
Coordinator	Doctor Tristan Taylor
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	21/2/2027	15/3/2027	18/4/2027	12/6/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Describe and explain ethical issues in decision making and distinguish ethical norms from legal, prudential or religious considerations.
• Critically evaluate competing normative ethical theories and be able to weigh their relative advantages and disadvantages as guides for ethical decision making.
• Apply normative ethical theories and soft legal rules in a range of different professional contexts to arrive at rationally-defensible decisions
• Work independently and collaboratively, and embrace and respect a diversity of perspectives.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

XBR106

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	12 week unit taught in Semester 1 fully online and asynchronous.
Assessment	Assessment Task 1: Multiple Choice Test (Online) on Moral Theories (10%)|Assessment Task 2: Discussion Board Participation (20%)|Assessment Task 3: Weekly Online Quizzes (Weeks 5-11) (20%)|Assessment Task 4: Reflective Exercise (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required Readings are those provided by your Unit Coordinator.
Recommended	Recommended Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.