MBE7031 - Ethics in systems thinking

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Critically explore ethical issues and arguments and how these issues may impact on practice.
Apply a theoretical understanding of ethical issues to practical problems encountered within public, private and third sector business communities.
Critcially reflect on ethical issues and formulate potential solutions to these issues.
Critically analyse moral elements of complex business situations, from different perspectives.

Content:

The aim of the module is to provide apprentices with an understanding of the philosophical and sociological context of business ethics. Apprentices will be introduced to ethical concepts and frameworks and how they could be used to analyse practice within organisations.

Apprentices will discuss topics such as:
Introduction to Business Ethics
Corporate Social Responsibility.
Introduction to Ethical theory.
Utilitarian Ethical theory.
Deontology and Kantian Ethics.
Consequentialism.
Critical perspectives of different stakeholders such as employees, customers, supplies and shareholders.
Ethics in systems thinking.
Accountability, moral responsibility, and legal frameworks such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Sustainability
Ethics of care
Ethical practices and management of risk are core underpinning themes which should be addressed in all of the modules within this apprenticeship programme

KSBs from the Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship Standards include;
K4: Ethics • Working knowledge of ethics as applied to systems interventions generally, and as applied specifically to sector where practitioner is working. • Appreciates the regulatory environment, and the legal, health and safety and compliance requirements of the sector the practitioner is working in.

Part of S3 on systems approaches and modelling to include ethics Switches between these skills to achieve insight. • Uses models to explore, develop and test a range of possible interventions relevant to the situation of interest, to establish both short and long-term consequences of potential actions, and to reduce unintended consequences.

B4: Professional • Seeks to balance the needs of different stakeholders irrespective of personal bias. Regularly assesses ethical issues in interventions. Adheres to professional standards.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The sessions will be organised in teaching blocks. Lectures will deliver core theoretical frameworks, followed by tutorials and personal exercises for reflection and development. Tutorials will be designed to support learners to be self-directed in additional research and with particular emphasis on research within their own employing organisation.

The module will present apprentices with selected scenarios for basic analysis in order to develop both analytical competence and the ability to identify and apply appropriate techniques in a range of typical situations. The module will make use of case studies and developing business trends and so the nature of the topics and exercises will vary. Apprentices will be provided with, and/or directed to, relevant reading and additional questions/ exercises to support their progress through the module material.

Typically delivered on a blended learning basis with a combination of workshops and on-line support the learning and teaching will include a range of methods such as lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, with emphasis on real life work experience and both team and peer support. There will be large and small group discussions, problem-solving activities and individual and paired working.

Apprentices may be expected to draw on a range of theoretical/academic, personal and work-based resources. Course documentation, support materials and web-based materials will be available on the VLE as appropriate.

Implementation of study skills will be supported and in particular teamwork, and the capacity to develop written argument will be developed. During the course of sessions, and subsequently through the contractual apprenticeship progress reviews there will be opportunities for tutor/learner interaction to meet individual needs and to help develop skills, confidence, competence, knowledge and understanding relating to the aims and objectives of the module and more widely meeting the overall Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) of the Senior Leader apprenticeship standard. Accessing library resources and help with coursework study skills will be available from services across the University.

Apprentices would be expected to prepare for the sessions by reading set texts and completion of tasks set in class or via the VLE and will be expected to take part in a wide range of learning activities.

Apprentices will maintain their Personal e-portfolio during this module and on-going self-evaluation will be part of the apprentices’ identification of needs.

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended group size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 80
Intended group size: 1

Further details relating to assessment
Within the assessments for the module, because the programme is an apprenticeship and therefore some of the assessment may relate specifically to the organisation in which the apprentice works, it may be beneficial to encourage the apprentices to submit the assessment using different mediums such as blogs, vlogs and podcasts.

Students will be offered formative feedback throughout the module in order to help them to achieve successful coverage of the apprenticeship standard’s KSBs in conjunction with the modules aims and outcomes. This will be done via formal sessions and also via online interactions on the Moodle platform and the use of tools such as email and Microsoft Teams.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 7
Credit Value - 10
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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