Students
ACCG8048 – Business and Professional Ethics
2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Andreas Hellmann
Level 3, 4 Eastern Road
Refer to iLearn
Seminar Leader
Dale Tweedie
Level 3, 4 Eastern Road
Refer to iLearn
Unit Moderator
James Hazelton
Level 3, 4 Eastern Road
N/A
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
20cp at 6000 level or above including ACCG611 or ACCG6011 or ACCG614 or ACCG6014 or MGNT603 or ACCG6003
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The principal aim of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of the main ethical issues raised by the activities of the business and corporate sphere, both in relation to the society and environment within which they operate, and in relation to individuals employed within corporations. The unit has a strong research focus and students will apply the theoretical knowledge gained in the course to real-world situations. After completing the unit, students will be able to recognise and confidently engage with the complex ethical issues that will inevitably arise during the course of their careers. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Investigate major issues in contemporary business and professional ethics and articulate a clear and informed ethical position on these issues.
- ULO2: Critically interpret the major ethical theories that have informed the development of the business ethics literature and articulate their own ethical perspective.
- ULO3: Analyse and critically evaluate moral theories and arguments.
- ULO4: Relate ethical theories to relevant real-world business cases and current events.
Assessment Tasks
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Assessment Information
Submission and marking criteria
Refer to the ACCG8048 Assessment Guide, available on iLearn. Feedback will be provided via an iLearn marking rubric.
Late submission(s)
Late assessment must also be submitted through Turnitin. No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% penalty). Late submissions will not be accepted after solutions have been discussed and/or made available. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time.
Requirements to satisfactorily complete the unit
Satisfactory completion of ACCG8048 is an overall passing grade. There is no requirement to achieve a passing grade in each individual assessment component. However, since each assessment component contributes to the overall learning outcomes of the unit, students are expected to complete each assessment task in order to maximise their educational experience.
Delivery and Resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.
Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
Classes and schedule
ACCG8048 utilizes a combination of video lectures and class seminars. Lecture videos will be posted on iLearn. For class times, refer to the Macquarie University timetable.
Required texts and materials
The prescribed text for this unit is: Joseph DesJardins, An Introduction to Business Ethics, 6th edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2020. The material in this text is fundamental to the concepts covered in the unit and should be read carefully. Additional materials may be posted on iLearn.
Teaching and learning activities
This unit provides an opportunity for students to research an ethical issue of their choosing after providing some background in moral theory. Having obtained an understanding of the basic moral theories, students will select an individual topic via an essay proposal. They will then develop this proposal into a full essay, submitted in two parts during the semester. On average, the unit will require students to complete between 6 to 8 hours of private study per week.
Technology used and required
The unit web page can be accessed from ilearn.mq.edu.au. Please note that student activity on the unit web page is logged, and may be utilized by the unit convenor and other university staff in resolving student disputes regarding such issues as assignment submission. Instructions for obtaining help with accessing the unit web page can also be found at the above URL.
Unit Schedule
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
|
Week |
Seminar topic |
Ethical issue |
Ethical theory |
|
1 |
Is business ethics a science or an art? |
Introduction |
Introduction |
|
2 |
When in Rome, do –uh, what exactly? |
Globalisation and bribery |
Ethical relativism |
|
3 |
Should we sweat about sweatshops? |
Labour outsourcing |
Utilitarian ethics |
|
4 |
What happens at Fight Club .. |
Employee responsibilities and whistleblowing |
Kantian ethics |
|
5 |
Customers – always right or routinely ripped off? |
Customers |
Virtue ethics |
|
6 |
Who to believe: the Pencil or the Piano Man? |
Corporate social responsibility |
Critical theory |
|
7 |
So long and thanks for all the fish |
The environment |
Environmental ethics |
|
Recess – private study |
|||
|
8 |
How simple is safety? |
Workplace health and safety |
Discourse ethics |
|
9 |
Fair trade |
Fair trade |
Revision |
|
10 |
Why your first day could be your last |
Peer pressure |
Situationist ethics |
|
11 |
Current topic 1 |
Workplace sexual harassment |
|
|
12 |
Current topic 2 |
Impression management |
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|
13 |
Conclusions |
|
|
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
Materials/topics have been updated to reflect recent business ethics issues.