Ethics and Ethical-Decision Making Essentials

In this course, you will learn a number of different ethical theories, identify which ethical approach you align to based on your values, and discover how to make ethical decisions.

The philosophy of ethical behavior is the basis of any professional. You must always act with integrity and in your clients' best interests, no matter what. This means being honest and transparent in all your dealings, even when it may be difficult or inconvenient. It also means refusing to take shortcuts or engaging in unethical behavior, such as bribery or corruption. By following this philosophy, you can build a reputation as an honest and reliable professional, which will benefit you throughout your career.

This knowledge will help you stay on top of the latest changes in the field and ensure that you are always acting within the law.

The impact of ethics on society is undeniable. By following a code of ethics, individuals help maintain the trust and integrity of their professions. Following this course, you will be able to not only understand your values, but make effective ethical decisions.

In addition, by upholding high ethical standards, professionals set an example for others to follow. This can help create a culture of honesty and integrity, which is essential for the healthy functioning of any society.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Discover different ethical approaches
Understand your own moral and ethical values

Explore key ethical dilemmas
Learn ethical decision-making models

Discover different ethical approaches
Understand your own moral and ethical values
Explore key ethical dilemmas
Learn ethical decision-making models

Syllabus

Unpack several key ethical theories and apply them to the classic ‘Trolley Problem’

Theories of Ethics and the Trolley Problem

Learn several key decision-making models and discover how to use them in everyday situations

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the connections between ethics and leadership, which is crucial for professionals aiming to foster ethical work environments and build trust with their teams

Covers codes of conduct, internal accountability, and external accountability, which are essential for professionals in fields with strict regulatory oversight

Teaches ethical decision-making models, which are useful for professionals facing complex dilemmas in their daily work and seeking structured approaches

Uses the 'Trolley Problem' to unpack ethical theories, which is a classic thought experiment that makes abstract concepts more accessible and engaging for a general audience

Examines ethics in the context of self-driving cars, which is a relevant and timely topic for those interested in the ethical implications of emerging technologies

Reviews summary

Ethics and ethical decision-making essentials

According to students, this course offers a clear and well-structured introduction to ethical theories and decision-making models. Learners particularly appreciate the practical frameworks provided, finding them immediately applicable. Many feel it provides a solid foundation, especially for those new to the subject or seeking to formalize their understanding for professional contexts. While broadly seen as engaging and valuable, some experienced learners note the content is more of a high-level overview and may lack the depth needed for advanced study or complex ethical dilemmas.

Uses relatable case studies and scenarios.

"The examples provided, like the Trolley Problem, helped illustrate the concepts effectively."

"I liked the use of case studies to show how theories apply in real life."

"The scenarios discussed were relevant and made the abstract ideas concrete."

"Real-world examples made the learning more engaging and understandable."

Provides useful models for ethical decision-making.

"The ethical decision-making models taught in this course are practical and applicable."

"Learning the different models gave me concrete tools to approach ethical dilemmas."

"I appreciated the focus on practical application of the theories."

"The decision models were a highlight, providing a clear process for analyzing issues."

Excellent starting point for understanding ethics.

"This course offers a great introduction to ethics and ethical decision making."

"It provides a strong foundation for anyone looking to understand basic ethical principles."

"As a beginner, I found this course incredibly helpful and easy to grasp the basics."

"Perfect for getting started with ethics, it covers all the essentials clearly."

Content is easy to follow and well organized.

"The course structure is logical and easy to follow, making complex concepts accessible."

"The modules flow well and the explanations were very clear throughout."

"I found the way the material was presented very digestible and well-organized."

"This course is very clearly structured, making it easy to learn at your own pace."

Too basic for experienced learners seeking depth.

"While good for beginners, I found the course content somewhat superficial."

"Could use more in-depth discussion on complex ethical scenarios."

"If you have prior knowledge in philosophy or ethics, this might feel too basic."

"Expected more advanced concepts and analysis, but it stayed on a high level."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ethics and Ethical-Decision Making Essentials with these activities:

Review 'Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?'

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Familiarize yourself with core ethical theories and thought experiments to prepare for course discussions.

View Equality: What It Means and Why It Matters on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?'
Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and arguments.
Reflect on how the theories presented apply to your own life and decision-making.

Ethical Dilemma Blog Post

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Solidify your understanding of ethical decision-making models by applying them to a real-world dilemma.

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Identify a current ethical dilemma in the news or your personal life.
Research the different perspectives on the dilemma.
Apply at least two ethical decision-making models from the course to analyze the dilemma.
Write a blog post summarizing the dilemma, the different perspectives, and your analysis.

Ethical Dilemma Role-Playing

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Practice applying ethical decision-making models in a collaborative and interactive setting.

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Form a group with 2-3 other students.
Each member prepares a brief ethical dilemma scenario.
Take turns presenting the scenarios and role-playing different perspectives.
Discuss the ethical implications and potential solutions for each scenario.

Four other activities

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Develop a Personal Code of Ethics

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Deepen your understanding of your own values and how they inform your ethical decision-making.

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Reflect on your core values and beliefs.
Research existing codes of ethics from various professions and organizations.
Draft a personal code of ethics that reflects your values and principles.
Share your code with a trusted friend or mentor for feedback.
Revise your code based on the feedback you receive.

Review 'The Power of Ethical Management'

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Explore the practical application of ethical principles in leadership and management.

View The Power Of Ethical Management on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Power of Ethical Management'.
Read the book, focusing on the decision-making frameworks and case studies.
Consider how the principles discussed can be applied to your own leadership style.

Ethical Leadership Presentation

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Synthesize your knowledge of ethics and leadership by creating a presentation on ethical leadership.

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Research the characteristics of ethical leaders.
Identify examples of ethical and unethical leadership in the real world.
Develop a presentation outlining the importance of ethical leadership and providing practical tips for becoming an ethical leader.
Practice your presentation and solicit feedback.

Ethics Resource Compilation

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Build a valuable resource for future reference by compiling relevant articles, websites, and tools related to ethics.

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Search for reputable websites, articles, and organizations focused on ethics.
Categorize the resources based on topic (e.g., ethical theories, decision-making models, codes of conduct).
Write a brief description of each resource and its relevance to the course.
Organize the compilation in a clear and accessible format (e.g., a document, a website, a shared folder).

Career center

Learners who complete Ethics and Ethical-Decision Making Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Compliance Officer

A compliance officer ensures that an organization adheres to laws, regulations, and internal policies, a role where understanding ethical frameworks is critical. This course, by exploring ethical theories and decision-making models, helps a compliance officer evaluate and improve ethical practices within their organization, ensuring that conduct aligns with both internal and external standards. The course's focus on accountability and codes of conduct directly relates to this role's responsibilities, providing essential insight. This course may be useful in building a foundation for a career where upholding ethical standards is paramount.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer

Human Resources Specialist

A human resources specialist works to ensure fair and ethical practices in hiring, promotion, and employee relations, and this requires a strong understanding of ethics. This course helps build a foundation in ethical theories and how they apply to situations. The course's exploration of ethical dilemmas and decision-making models are useful in a human resources specialist's daily tasks, such as resolving conflicts. By exploring key ethical dilemmas, one who becomes a human resources specialist can better manage teams. The course helps one explore and identify their own values.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Specialist

Social Worker

Social workers assist individuals and communities by providing guidance and support, and their work is deeply rooted in a set of ethical standards. This course, with its focus on ethical theories and values, helps build the necessary foundation for a social worker to understand the importance of the well-being of their clients. The course's emphasis on ethical decision-making models offers a structured approach to handling the many complex scenarios a social worker will encounter. This course is helpful for anyone working in a role that is founded on a commitment to ethical principles.

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Nonprofit Manager

A nonprofit manager oversees the operations of a charitable organization, and this role requires a clear understanding of ethics. This course, which explores ethical theories and their impact on society, provides a foundation for understanding the significance of ethical leadership. The course's focus on the connection between ethics and leadership will help a nonprofit manager cultivate an ethical environment within their organization, building trust with stakeholders and the community. Understanding codes of conduct and accountability is crucial for a nonprofit manager in ensuring that the organization operates with transparency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Project Manager

A project manager oversees projects from initiation to completion, a role that requires making ethical decisions. This course, with its focus on ethical decision-making models, will help a project manager navigate complex situations, ensuring projects are managed with integrity. The course's focus on ethics and leadership directly applies to a project manager's responsibility to lead teams ethically and effectively. The course will help one to identify their own values, which is a valuable process in establishing oneself as a trustworthy leader who can make fair and ethical decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Counselor

A counselor provides guidance and support to clients, and their work is governed by strict ethical codes. This course, with its exploration of different ethical approaches, will help a counselor understand the foundation of ethical practice. The course’s focus on ethical decision-making models provides a useful approach to navigating complex scenarios counselors face in their daily work. A fundamental commitment to ethical standards is a core element of being a counselor. This course may be useful for anyone who wishes to work in a role where ethical judgment is essential.

See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor

Public Relations Specialist

A public relations specialist manages communication between an organization and the public, and must maintain high ethical standards. This course, by exploring ethical theories and decision-making models, helps a public relations specialist make ethically sound choices in their representation of an organization. The course's focus on codes of conduct and accountability will help the individual in this role promote the organization's values with integrity, building and maintaining trust with stakeholders. This course will help a public relations specialist to understand their own values and to make decisions that align to them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Market Research Analyst

A market research analyst studies consumer behavior to advise a company's marketing strategy or product development, a role that involves handling data ethically. This course, while not directly focused on research, may help a market research analyst understand the importance of ethical behavior in data collection and analysis, ensuring that the data used is accurate and unbiased. By exploring different ethical approaches, this course can help a market research analyst to make decisions that are both effective and responsible, which increases the reputation of a company. The ethical decision-making models explored in this course may be useful in handling sensitive information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Management Consultant

A management consultant provides advice to organizations to improve their efficiency, and often their ethical practices. This course, while not directly focused on consulting, may help a management consultant understand the connection between ethics and leadership. Understanding an organization's ethical values, and being able to provide advice that is also ethically informed, will help a management consultant add value to the services they provide to their clients. The course's focus on ethical decision-making models may be useful for consultants in navigating various complex situations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Journalist

A journalist researches and reports on current events, a role that requires the highest levels of ethical conduct. This course, with its focus on ethical theories and decision-making, helps a journalist approach complex issues with a solid ethical grounding, ensuring their reporting is honest and unbiased. The course's discussion of accountability and codes of conduct provides a framework for ethical journalism, which establishes trust and integrity with the reader. A journalist's ability to make ethical choices is extremely important.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Auditor

An auditor examines financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance, and this process requires a commitment to ethical practice. This course, while not centered on financial audits, will help an auditor understand the importance of ethical standards in their work. By exploring ethical frameworks, an auditor can be better prepared to recognize situations that are ethically complex. The course's focus on codes of conduct and accountability may be useful for an auditor, who is responsible for verifying compliance.

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Teacher

A teacher educates students, a role that demands a high level of ethical behavior in the classroom. This course will help a teacher understand the role of ethical leadership. By exploring different ethical approaches, a teacher will understand the value in creating a responsible and respectful learning environment for all students. The course's focus on codes of conduct will provide a teacher with a framework for how to deal with different ethical dilemmas that they might face. This course may be useful in guiding ethical behavior in young learners.

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Data Analyst

A data analyst interprets data to help organizations make decisions, and must manage sensitive information ethically. This course may be helpful in building an awareness in a data analyst about the importance of ethical behavior when handling and interpreting data. By exploring different ethical approaches, a data analyst will better understand the potential implications of their work and how to act responsibly. The ethical decision-making models may be useful to a data analyst in their daily responsibilities.

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Paralegal

A paralegal assists lawyers by preparing legal documents and conducting legal research, and this work often touches upon ethically sensitive information. This course may be helpful in informing a paralegal about the importance of ethical conduct throughout their work. The ethical decision-making models explored may be useful in navigating complex situations that a paralegal may encounter. The focus of the course on understanding personal values is useful in establishing a strong foundation for acting responsibly and ethically.

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Customer Service Representative

A customer service representative interacts with customers to address their inquiries and issues, and they must do so while adhering to ethical standards. This course may be helpful in informing a customer service representative about how they should act ethically. Although the role is often not seen as requiring a deep ethical understanding, this course may help a customer service representative better understand their personal values. The ethical decision models in the course may be useful in their daily responsibilities.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ethics and Ethical-Decision Making Essentials.

Equality

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Provides an accessible introduction to various ethical theories, including utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. It uses real-world examples and thought experiments to illustrate these concepts, making them easier to understand. Reading this book before the course will provide a solid foundation for understanding the ethical theories discussed in the course. It is commonly used as a supplemental text in ethics courses.

Equality: What It Means and Why It Matters

Hardcover

The Power Of Ethical Management

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Explores the practical application of ethical principles in a business and leadership context. It provides a framework for making ethical decisions in the workplace and building a culture of integrity. This book is more valuable as additional reading to provide more depth to the course. It is commonly used by industry professionals.

The Power Of Ethical Management

Paperback

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The Power Of Ethical Management

Kindle Edition

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