This course aims to take the student through a comprehensive analysis of ethical issues arising from business practice. We presuppose an analytic philosophical methodology, utilising the traditional tools of secular ethics in that tradition. The course will consider moral issues in business from both a theoretical standpoint (systematic and principle-based), and through case studies; thus we will try to be as sensitive as possible to the real world particularities of a business environment, yet our analyses will recognise the importance and relevance of our major ethical theories within the teleological, deontological and virtue ethics traditions.

When successfully completed, students will have developed a good theoretical understanding both of central and current issues in Business Ethics and of some key philosophical issues of importance to applied ethics more generally.

Class participation (10%), 2,000 word writing assignment (30%), and 4,000 word writing assignment (60%).

This course is available for on-campus and off-campus (correspondence) students. On-campus students will meet with the Convener once a week to discuss readings and the conceptual materials gained by the reading materials. Distance students will participate in on-line forums for discussion of class reading materials, which students will be expected to participate in. This is the best way for off-campus students to interact with the class.

Enrolment in the MA(PAE) or with the permission of the coordinator.