This course aims to:

• Promote understanding of the importance, for business and the community, of ethical conduct;
• Provide the skills with which to recognise and resolve ethical issues in business;
• Enhance awareness and critical self-examination of one's own values, and to appreciate the relevance of personal values in the business/workplace setting; and
• Encourage reflection on the ethical dimension of your own decision-making in workplace and other settings.

This course introduces ethical issues and economic decision making in a variety of contexts. It aims to develop participants’ capacity to analyse and argue the ethical dimension of contemporary and emerging business models. Using various philosophical theories of Ethics, we would explore social and ethical responsibility of corporations, social entrepreneurs and digital innovators. Our main task is to understand how ethical theories interact with practice and their applicability to different business models. We will not only apply ethical theories to some core areas such Information technology, HRM, Finance, Entrepreneurship but we will also cover ethical tension in emerging business models such as Uber, Airbnb and other actors in platform economy. A core question that is inherent in the key themes of the course is who is responsible for business ethics?

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Define, explain and illustrate the theoretical foundations of business ethics;
2. Re-examine their knowledge of business and economic concepts from an ethical perspective;
3. Explain and illustrate the importance, for business and the community, of ethical conduct;
4. Recognise and resolve ethical issues in business;
5. Reflect on and critically examine their own values and the importance of the ethical dimension in business and workplace decision making; and,
6. Apply systematic ethical reasoning to business dilemmas and communicate effectively in oral and written forms, using the concepts, logic and rhetorical conventions of business ethics.

Research-Led Teaching

Research studies of managers, professionals, employees, consumers and students are referred to throughout the course to explain and illustrate the theoretical foundations of business ethics and to illustrate the importance for business and the community of ethical conduct.

Field Trips

There are no field trips in this course.

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional costs expected in this course.

Examination Material or equipment

There are no examinations held by ANU Examinations for this course.

Required Resources

All the required readings are listed in the course content and will be uploaded to the Canvas course site. Contemporary topics and cases may include:

• Codes of ethics/conduct
• Business Bluffing
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Job role and personal ethics, conflicts
• Ethical differences
• Product safety and efficacy
• Cultural relativism
• The Dirty Hands problem
• Social licence, social contracts, stakeholders
• Managerial discourse
• Environmental justice
• Diversity and discrimination
• Violation of financial trust
• Negotiation ethics
• Critical business ethics
• Philosophical ethics
• Whistleblowing
• Tyranny of metrics
• Artificial intelligence and ethics

Recommended Resources

The ANU Library subscribes (electronically) to a wide range of academic journals. Journals that may be helpful for your research include:

• Journal of Business Ethics
• Business Ethics Quarterly
• Academy of Management Review
• Academy of Management Perspectives
• Academy of Management Journal
• Journal of Management Studies

Useful Websites

• https://journals.aom.org/insights/ethics
• https://unglobalcompact.org/
• https://ethics.org.au/knowledge/
• https://www.shareable.net/category/commons/
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/
• https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/publications/corporate-social-responsibility-human-rights

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Use of AI is rapidly growing in all sectors, particularly the use of Large Language Models, of which there are many proprietary brands. In this course students may choose to use or to not use AI tools. In any case where AI tools are used, the student must do so in a way that is consistent with the ANU Academic Integrity principles for use of GenAI, as well as accurately cite and reference what tools were used, and advise in an appendix how they used the tool. Guidance on how to do this appropriately is provided in the assessment requirements on the course Canvas page and the ANU provides further broad guidance in the ANU Gen AI LibGuide. As part of handling a potential breach of academic integrity, students are reminded that they may be requested to meet with the Convenor to discuss any assessment submission, including responding to questions on the content of submissions and on their understanding of the course concepts assessed by the submission.

Publication of Final Results

The release of final grades may change before the end of the semester. The last return of assessment date (4th Dec 2025) provided in the Assessment Summary table is the latest expected. If results are released earlier, then the assessment item(s) will be returned earlier as well.

Use of anonymised group presentation materials as exemplars in future course offerings

Anonymised copies of student group presentation materials may be used to explain assessment requirements to students in future offerings of courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to the course and history of ideas on the topic of business ethics.
2	Contemporary Topic 1.	Assessable group case discussion.
3	Contemporary Topic 2.	Assessable group case discussion.
4	Contemporary Topic 3.	Assessable group case discussion.
5	Contemporary Topic 4.	Assessable group case discussion.
6	Contemporary Topic 5.	Assessable group case discussion.
7	Contemporary Topic 6.Case Study Report Briefing.Exam Briefing.	Assessable group case discussion.
8	Contemporary Topic 7.	Assessable group case discussion.
9	Contemporary Topic 8.	Assessable group case discussion.
10	Exam	In-class Exam
11	Topic 9. Leadership and Ethics.
12	Course review and Case Study Report consultation.
13	End of semester exam period	Case Study Report due 11:59 pm AEDT Friday, 31 October.

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage. This course is delivered as 3-hour, in-person seminars, which include a tutorial component. The order of delivery of topics will be determined by the availability of contemporary cases identified, for example, in the news media.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Group Case Discussions (Group - 35%)	35 %	*	1,2,3,4,5,6
In-class Exam (Individual - 45% - HURDLE REQUIREMENT)	45 %	23/10/2025	1,2,6
Case Study Report (Individual - 20%)	20 %	04/12/2025	1,2,3,4,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to attend all classes and attempt all assessments "in line with "Code of Practice for Teaching and Learning ", clause 2 paragraph (b).

Examination(s)

Assessment 2 is an in-class examination. It is a formal examination and a hurdle assessment for the course. Students must pass the In-class exam to pass the Course.

See the assessment section for further details.

Assessment Task 1

Group Case Discussions (Group - 35%)

From Week 2 to Week 9, each seminar/workshop will include group discussions on a case and preparation of a written summary to be submitted during class.

Every student will contribute to such a group discussion and the preparation of a written summary.

Students will be assigned to groups by the Course Convener.

Group memberships will be different for each group discussion. To be clear, each student will be a member of a different group in Weeks 2 to 9.

The mark for this assessment will be based on ratings for each presentation and a measurement of each student's contribution to the groups to which they were assigned and contributed.

Formative feedback will be provided in weeks 6 and 10 of the course.

Assessment will be based on the written summaries.

No extensions or late submissions are permitted for this assessment.

However, a student may miss 1 of the 8 group discussions without penalty. To be clear the mark will be calculated from the best 7 of the 8 group discussions in which the student fully participates, with the 7 discussions equally weighted at 5% each.

Further information will be provided in a detailed briefing in Weeks 1 and 2 of the semester.

Assessment Task 2

In-class Exam (Individual - 45% - HURDLE REQUIREMENT)

This will be an invigilated, on-campus pencil and paper exam conducted during the seminar scheduled for Week 10.

The test will be 2 hours and 30 minutes in duration.

It will consist of short answer questions and, possibly, multiple choice questions and will cover readings, teaching materials and case studies from weeks 1 to week 9 inclusive.

A detailed brief will be provided in Week 7 of the semester.

The return of the assessment will be within two weeks (i.e. in Week 12).

This assessment is a formal examination and a hurdle assessment for the course. Students must pass the In-class exam to pass the Course.

No extensions or late submissions are permitted for this assessment.

Assessment Task 3

Case Study Report (Individual - 20%)

Due: Friday, 31 October 2025 at 11:59pm AEDT.

Students will prepare a case study of about 5 pages in length, plus a teaching note, on a contemporary issue.

Topics must be approved by the lecturer.

Students may use tools such as generative AI, but must indicate in an appendix how they were used.

A detailed assessment brief will be provided in Week 7. The brief will include any restrictions, as well as formatting and typographical specifications.

Submissions will be made via the course Canvas site.

The return of the assessment will be with the release of final results.

Late submissions are not permitted for this assessment task.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Late submission is not available for any of the assessments in this course.

Requests for Assessment Adjustment (Assessment Extension and Extenuating Circumstances Application) should be submitted via ANUHub.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

All assignments will be marked and where appropriate feedback will be provided either: in class, or in person by appointment with the course lecturer, or via the course Canvas site.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Unless specified otherwise in the assignment requirements, resubmissions are permitted up until the due date and time, but not allowed afterwards

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students