Download 2015-16 MN5513 –

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
2015-16
MN5513 – ETHICS, ORGANISATIONS AND MANAGEMENT
MODULE TYPE/SEMESTER: Option (20 credits), Semester 1
MODULE LEADERS:
Dr Samuel Mansell, Lecturer in Business Ethics
[email protected]
Dr Philip Roscoe, Reader in Management
[email protected]
AIM: This module develops students’ understanding of the ethical issues surrounding
management and organisations. The course is arranged around five core themes,
representing practical problems that face managers and organisations: How should we
understand capitalism? What is the purpose of a corporation? Can managers be moral
beings? Can markets be ethical? How should wealth be distributed? We approach these
themes from philosophical, sociological, and organisational perspectives, developing
students’ understanding of the issues through theoretical analysis, case studies and extensive
discussion. As these and similar questions are addressed, students will be encouraged to
reflect and draw upon their own experiences of organisational life as issues are analysed,
challenged, researched, evaluated and assessed.
METHOD OF TEACHING & LEARNING: The module will be delivered in weekly three-hour
classes that will consist of didactic input, facilitated small group discussion and case analysis.
For this module, there are no additional tutorials (as discussion is integral to the main class
session) so students should treat this regular session as mandatory. Students will be required
to prepare for the tutorials, with readings circulated before the lectures.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the module, students should be able to:
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critically evaluate a range of current issues confronting managers and organisations
compare, contrast and evaluate differing theoretical, practical and ethical positions
in relation to these issues
critically evaluate current affairs and news discussions from a variety of ethical
perspectives
understand how a range of critical issues in management and organisations impact
on a range of enterprises
critically evaluate how issues covered in the curriculum manifest themselves in their
chosen area of study
critically evaluate their own position with respect to the issues covered in the
curriculum
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INDICATIVE TOPIC OUTLINE:
Week
Topic area
1&2
Introduction: Competing
perspectives on capitalism:
 Adam Smith – Division
of labour and Invisible
Hand
 Marx on exploitation
 Capitalism and
freedom: Hayek,
Friedman, Keynes
Can ethical managers exist?
 Structure and agency
debates
 Critique and defence of
bureaucracy: MacIntyre
and Bauman
 Impact of
Remuneration and
reporting systems
What is the purpose of a
corporation?
 CSR
 Stakeholder theory
 Friedman
 Conceptions of property
and contract
How should wealth be
distributed?
 Distributive justice:
Aristotle, Aquinas,
Rawls, Nozick
 Fair wages and tax
justice
 Income inequality
3&4
5&6
7&8
9 & 10
Can markets be moral?
 Money and ethics
 Moral consequences of
monetary exchange
 Performativity and
economic valuation
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Indicative case
study topics
Global compact
Sweatshop
labour
Cold War
economics: the
‘Chicago boys’
Session leader
Industrial
accidents
Mortgage
bonds
Corporate
disasters e.g.
Enron
Philip Roscoe
Samuel Mansell
Philip
Roscoe
Samuel Mansell
Tax avoidance
and tax justice
Citizens United
case
Samuel Mansell
Occupy
movement
Bonuses and
executive pay
Dating markets
Organ markets
Markets for
environmental
protection
Philip Roscoe
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11
Assessed presentations and
revision lecture
Samuel Mansell
Philip Roscoe
ASSESSMENTS:
There are three elements to assessment for this module: an individual learning journal, a
group presentation and an exam. Each is described in more detail below. In addition, you
should refer back to your degree handbook for advice as to how to properly reference work,
penalties for late submissions and situations where extensions may be granted.
1. Individual written assignment: 3000 words (maximum); 30% of total marks.
The written assignment takes the form of a learning journal. The aim of the Journal
is to allow students to reflect on the development of their understanding of the ethical
issues facing managers and organisations. Students should begin writing notes for the
journal at the outset of the course - perhaps 500 words each week - and should be
able to see the development of their own understanding as the course progresses. At
the end of the course, this material should be edited into a coherent narrative with
the addition of an introduction and conclusion. Students should synthesise widely
from lectures and discussions, academic literature, current affairs and news items,
from their own experience. Key points to consider might include:
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Students’ understanding of and reaction to the material covered in class discussions
Key points from academic literature: how do these speak to managerial and
organisational problems as understood by the student?
Critical discussion of recent news items: what are the ethical issues at stake, and
how do class discussions and your own readings speak to these?
How can an academic approach improve or clarify the understanding of these ethical
problems?
Do you perceive any weaknesses in the relevance of academic theorising to these
practical problems?
The concluding discussion should provide a critical self-analysis reflecting upon the
development of your thinking on these topics throughout the course, as reflected by
the journal.
2. A Group Presentation (20% of final grade)
In Week 3 we will allocate you into groups of 2-4. You will be required to make a 1520 minute presentation in week 11. A full briefing on the requirements for each of
these presentations will be provided in Week 3.
Not all students have to present as part of the assessment but all must have had an
active involvement in the process of preparation and analysis.
3. Examination (50% of final grade)
The exam will ask you to demonstrate mastery of both specific elements from the
module as well as the ability to provide an integrative analysis in application of the
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material presented. Sample questions for the examination will be provided later in
the semester.
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