Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title PHIL 2130: Business Ethics

Catalog Description

Credits 3
Hours/Week 3
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) None
Other requirements None
MnTC Goals (if any) Goal 6/Humanities, the Arts, Literature and Philosophy, Goal 9/Ethical and Civic Responsibility

Course Description

This course helps students develop and improve their ability to make ethical decisions in the modern business world. Students will become familiar with common and emerging ethical dilemmas that arise in business, including those related to technology, globalization, and diversity. They will learn how to apply ethical concepts and moral theories to resolve these issues. The course covers stakeholder relationships, conflicts between personal morality and organizational norms, and the relationship between law and ethics. Discussions will include social responsibilities of businesses regarding discrimination and diversity, environmental sustainability, international relations, digital privacy, artificial intelligence, and the ethical implications of remote work.

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

November, 2024

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Basic Concepts of Business Ethics
  2. Using Moral Theories to Make Practical Decisions
  3. Stakeholder Analysis
  4. Corporate Culture and Ethical Leadership
  5. Ethics and the Law
  6. Ethical Issues in Marketing
  7. Ethical Issues in Finance and Accountancy
  8. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace
  9. Business Ethics in a Global Economy
  10. Business and the Environment
  11. Digital Privacy and Data Ethics
  12. Artificial Intelligence and Automation in Business

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. Distinguish between ethical and practical dilemmas in various business contexts.
  2. Identify and analyze common and emerging ethical issues in business activities, including technology and globalization.
  3. Apply ethical frameworks and moral theories to real-world business dilemmas to propose well-reasoned solutions.
  4. Critically evaluate the strength and validity of arguments concerning business ethics.
  5. Formulate and defend ethical positions through extended verbal and written arguments.
  6. Demonstrate critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills in analyzing complex business situations.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

Goal 6/Humanities, the Arts, Literature and Philosophy

The student will be able to:

  1. Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
  2. Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context.
  3. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
Goal 9/Ethical and Civic Responsibility

The student will be able to:

  1. Ethical and Civic Responsibility. Students will be able to:
  2. Examine, articulate, and apply their own ethical views.
  3. Understand and apply core concepts (e.g. politics, rights and obligations, justice, liberty) to specific issues.
  4. Analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of legal, social, and scientific issues.

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Communication
Students will communicate appropriately for their respective audiences.

Special Information (if any)

None