AF3003 - Ethics and Social Responsibility

The module is taught through a combination of interactive lectures and seminars based around case studies to deepen the understanding of ethics and sustainability issues in a real world context.

The module has a one-hour weekly lecture, in which you will be introduced to the context of business ethics, ethical dilemmas, ethical decision-making and social responsibility. Before and after the lecture you will be given reading on a teaching and learning plan, which you will be able to access through an online reading list on the module’s Blackboard site and through the Library website. There will also be multimedia support available through the teaching and learning plan, where you will be directed to access a range of videos and case studies.

There will be a two-hour seminar per week which will be facilitated by group tasks, team working, communication and interpersonal skills which will allow you to reflect on your learning. The seminars will draw heavily on yours and your peers’ discussions and debates of case studies, stories and events, which have prominent ethical and social responsibility issues within. You will be asked to prepare work prior to the seminar, which will be directed in the teaching and learning plan and found through the modules Blackboard site. You will also be encouraged by your tutor to use research skills developed in other modules to consider additional material, such as relevant news articles from FT.com, BBC news, the Guardian and specific company websites, and bring them to seminars for further discussion.

The directed activities you undertake on the module are designed to ensure that you and the lecturing staff are the co-creators of knowledge. They will encourage you to create an active and self-directed learning experience, which will allow you to take responsibility for your own learning, whilst still having a high level of support. Support will be provided to you by the member of academic staff leading the module and providing the lectures and seminars. You will also have the support of the programme leader and support staff at the University.

Your module is supported by an e-learning portal (Blackboard), which houses the teaching and learning plan, lecture materials and recordings, workshop and seminar exercises, assessment information, period tests and details of additional resources such as online recordings and videos. You will also be able to access key parts of lectures which will be recorded on Panopto throughout the module.

The modules online reading list can be reached through the Blackboard site. This list provides you with a comprehensive list of links from which to access all of the modules eBooks, news resources, and directed learning academic articles. The module’s Blackboard site also has a discussion board, where the module tutor and lecturers will post important information about the module throughout the semester.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

• To understand the concepts of business ethics, social responsibility and sustainability and hence, display a developing ability to analyse business problems and come to reasonable resolutions given a scenario [MLO1]

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

• To display developing reflection skills through exploring business practice and real world business decisions.[MLO2]

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

• To consider personal and business ethical dimensions and social responsibilities when making decisions and understand their impact on stakeholders.[MLO3]

Formative assessment:

You will receive weekly formative feedback during the seminars on each of the topics covered.



Summative assessment:

You will be assessed via a group presentation on a contemporary issue within ethics and social responsibility during the semester. This assessment is worth 30% of the module. [MLO2, MLO3]

You will further be assessed through completion of an individual essay of 1500 words that requires research and discussion of the topics covered throughout the semester and, will be worth 70% of the module. [MLO1, MLO2]

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As a future employee or manager, having the ability to recognise and make sound judgements on complex business ethics and social issues is of significant importance. In recent years, highly publicised corporate ethical scandals have led to calls from the public for companies to be more socially responsible and act in a transparent and ethical manner. In light of this, the module will enable you as a future employee or manager to understand and be aware of the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business, as well as encouraging you to consider the challenges you may face when ethical dilemmas arise. This will further enable you to make good ethical decisions for the success of the business, and for the good of all stakeholders.

Ethics and social responsibility in business will also give you the foundation needed to foster a curiosity and understanding around important issues faced by businesses today.