ETH 401: Making Ethical Management Decisions

Overview

Making good ethical decisions is one of the most difficult tasks of managing effectively. Learning to identify values in conflict in ethical dilemmas and then apply a thoughtful decision model to those problems is an essential leadership skill. Using the Ethics Game: Hot Topics™, participants will learn an effective decision model, explore the primary ethical theories of our community, and apply those theories in current business situations.

The centerpiece of the class and the ultimate course project revolves around the EthicsGame: Hot Topics™ simulation. Each week you will enter the simulation where you will resolve two ethical dilemmas. In order to emulate a company setting, you will also participate in a discussion on the issues involved in the ethical dilemmas with other classmates. The discussions will help determine the ethical tone and culture of the fictitious organization as students interact as colleagues to analyze the scenarios.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Recognize the predominant ethical theories which have affected business in a historical and cultural context

• Use a decision-making model to resolve ethical dilemmas

• Write an effective memo communicating ethical decisions

• Consider ethical and policy issues which are critical for being an ethical and effective member of the business community

• Formulate a personal code of ethics which will inform business decisions

Course Requirements

The materials for this class must be purchased through the JIU bookstore, MBS Direct. Please be aware that a "Game Key" is needed in order to complete course assignments. This will appear as “Hot Topics Game Key” on the MBS site.

Required Texts
ETH 401 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore