Courses & Units

Ethics, Social Responsibility and the Law LAW181

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 College of Arts, Law and Education
Faculty of Law
Discipline Law|Philosophy and Gender Studies
Coordinator Professor Margaret Otlowski
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 1 Off-Campus International International Domestic Domestic
Hobart Semester 2 Off-Campus International International Domestic Domestic

Key

On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 2 11/7/2022 9/8/2022 29/8/2022 16/10/2022
Semester 1 21/2/2022 22/3/2022 11/4/2022 29/5/2022

* 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 2022 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2022 will be available from the 1st October 2021. 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

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
090999 $1,828.00 $1,432.00 not applicable $1,828.00

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

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

XBR106

Teaching

AssessmentMultiple choice test (online) on Moral theories (20%)|Weekly online quizzes weeks 6-13 (36%)|Online quiz on moral reasons (4%)|Reflective Essay (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

LinksBooktopia textbook finder

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