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Hobart

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 2021

Unit name Ethics, Social Responsibility and the Law
Unit code LAW181
Credit points 12.5
Faculty/School College of Arts, Law and Education
Faculty of Law
Discipline Law|Philosophy and Gender Studies
Coordinator

Professor Margaret Otlowski

Available as student elective? Yes
Breadth Unit? No

Availability

Note

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* 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 (see withdrawal dates explained for more information).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

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

Fees

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

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

XBR106

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Weekly learning content is delivered in fully online mode comprising a combination of in-house lectures and written content, external multimedia presentations (e.g. videos, webinars), interactive activities and discussion boards all of which is supplemented by essential and recommended readings.

Assessment

Task 1: Online test (15%)

Task 2: Online quizzes (60% total)

Task 3: Reflective exercise, 1500 words (25%)

TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

RequiredNone

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