Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction & Module 1 - Is Ethics Part of Business?

This module starts with a course introduction, then you will learn to identify what we mean by ethics and moral reasoning. Learn about the “do the right thing” approach, utilitarianism, and theories of justice. Understand why these theories are important for moral reasoning and for commerce. Be familiar with the framework for moral reasoning. Apply this framework in a case analysis.

Module 2 - Stakeholder Theory: Bayer CropScience in India

Distinguish stakeholder theory from managerial shareholder theory. Be able to use stakeholder theory in the framework for moral reasoning. Apply the model to one case, e.g., Merck, BHP or the Oil Rig.

Module 3 - Globalization, Culture & Brands

Globalization has brought dramatic changes to the marketplace. A proliferation of global brands brings diverse cultures to a consumer population that is also growing culturally diverse. This module discusses what globalization is, and how it is connected to four forces: growing multiculturalism, cultural mixing, global competition, and connectivity/co-creation. We will analyze what culture is, how it manifests itself, and how culture varies around the world. We will close this module by acknowledging that brands can be tangible representations of culture that embody the values and ideals of a cultural group.

Module 4 - Cultural Mindsets and Assimilation to a Cultural Framework

This module discusses how culture can be brought to the fore of the mind to guide our judgments and behaviors. We will learn that culture is represented in our heads as a network of elements linked to a central concept. When this network is activated in our minds, we exhibit a tendency to assimilate our behavior to what our culture prescribes.

Module 5 - Culture Mixing and Its Consequences

This module reviews how people respond to the juxtaposition of cultures at the same time in the same object, a phenomenon we label culture mixing. We will learn that culture mixing has both cognitive and attitudinal consequences. People can respond favorably or unfavorably to culture-mixed stimuli depending on a variety of personal and contextual factors. We will examine these factors in order to predict when people will respond positively or negatively to culture mixing.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the importance and role of ethics in business and organizations

Examines the benefits and challenges of diverse cultures and varying global perspectives

Taught by instructors from the renowned Gies College of Business, University of Illinois

Provides professional business skills related to ethics, culture, and global perspectives

Requires learners to apply ethical frameworks to real-world business scenarios

Suitable for learners interested in advancing their understanding of business ethics, diversity, and globalization

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, Culture, and Global Perspectives with these activities:

Read 'Business Ethics: A Stakeholder Perspective'',

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of stakeholder theory and its relevance to ethical decision-making in business.

View Stakeholder Theory: The State of the Art on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read each chapter thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
Reflect on the ethical implications of stakeholder management strategies.

Identify a mentor with experience in business ethics

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Gain valuable insights and practical advice from a professional in the field.

Browse courses on Business Ethics

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Attend industry events or reach out to your network for potential mentors.
Research and identify individuals with expertise in business ethics.
Request a meeting or connect with mentors through LinkedIn or email.
Discuss your career goals and seek guidance on ethical decision-making.

Participate in online tutorials and videos

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Enhance your understanding of core concepts such as stakeholder theory and the importance of ethics in business.

Browse courses on Stakeholder Theory

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Explore online platforms such as Coursera, edX, and YouTube for relevant tutorials.
Select tutorials that align with the course syllabus and learning objectives.
Follow along with the tutorials, taking notes and asking questions.

Four other activities

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Volunteer as a mentor for students in the same course

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Reinforce your understanding of the course material by mentoring others and assisting with their learning.

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Contact the instructor or a teaching assistant to express interest in mentoring.
Provide guidance and support to mentees on course topics and assignments.
Offer feedback and encouragement to enhance their learning experience.

Engage in peer discussion forums

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Connect with fellow students to share insights, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of the course material.

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Identify relevant online forums or discussion boards.
Participate in discussions, posing thoughtful questions and responding to others.
Read and consider the perspectives of peers and instructors.
Summarize and reflect on the key points discussed.

Develop a case study analysis on ethical decision-making

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Apply the concepts learned in the course to a real-world ethical dilemma.

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Identify a business case study involving an ethical dilemma.
Analyze the case using the ethical frameworks and stakeholder theory.
Formulate recommendations and discuss the ethical implications.
Submit the case study analysis as a report or presentation.

Design a cultural sensitivity training program

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Demonstrate your understanding of the importance of cultural sensitivity in global business settings.

Browse courses on Cultural Diversity

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Research and identify the key components of cultural sensitivity training.
Design the training modules, including activities and case studies.
Develop a plan for implementing and evaluating the training program.
Present your training program to the class or a relevant audience.

Career center

Learners who complete Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Ethics Officer

As an Ethics Officer, you will be responsible for developing and implementing an ethics program for an organization. You will need to have a deep understanding of ethics, compliance, and risk management. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong foundation in ethics and provide you with the tools you need to create and implement an effective ethics program.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethics Officer

International Business Manager

As an International Business Manager, you will be responsible for managing the operations of a business in a foreign country. You will need to have a deep understanding of international business law, cross-cultural communication, and global supply chains. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong understanding of the ethical implications of international business decisions, the importance of cultural sensitivity in international business negotiations, and the challenges and opportunities of global business.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Business Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

As a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing a corporate social responsibility program for an organization. You will need to have a deep understanding of corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong foundation in corporate social responsibility and provide you with the tools you need to create and implement an effective corporate social responsibility program.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

As a Diversity and Inclusion Manager, you will be responsible for creating and implementing a diversity and inclusion program for an organization. You will need to have a deep understanding of diversity, inclusion, and equity. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong foundation in diversity and inclusion and provide you with the tools you need to create and implement an effective diversity and inclusion program.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Marketing Manager

As a Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns to promote products or services. You will need to have a deep understanding of consumer behavior, market research, and marketing strategy. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong understanding of the ethical implications of marketing decisions, the importance of cultural sensitivity in marketing campaigns, and the challenges and opportunities of global marketing.

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Anthropologist

As an Anthropologist, you will be responsible for studying human societies and cultures. You will need to have a deep understanding of anthropology, cultural theory, and research methods. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong foundation in anthropology and provide you with the tools you need to conduct effective research on human societies and cultures.

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Nonprofit Manager

As a Nonprofit Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the operations of a nonprofit organization. You will need to have a deep understanding of nonprofit law, fundraising, and program management. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong understanding of the ethical implications of nonprofit decisions, the importance of cultural sensitivity in nonprofit programs, and the challenges and opportunities of global nonprofit work.

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Global Affairs Analyst

As a Global Affairs Analyst, you will be responsible for researching and analyzing global affairs and making recommendations to policymakers. You will need to have a deep understanding of global affairs, international relations, and political science. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong understanding of global affairs and provide you with the tools you need to conduct effective research and analysis.

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Sociologist

As a Sociologist, you will be responsible for studying human social behavior and society. You will need to have a deep understanding of sociology, social theory, and research methods. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong foundation in sociology and provide you with the tools you need to conduct effective research on human social behavior and society.

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Consultant

As a Consultant, your job is to provide advisory services to businesses and organizations. You will work closely with clients to understand their needs, assess their current situation, and develop and implement plans to help them achieve their goals. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be highly valuable to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong understanding of the ethical implications of business decisions, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and the challenges and opportunities of globalization.

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Human Resources Manager

As a Human Resources Manager, you will be responsible for managing all aspects of human resources for an organization, including recruitment, hiring, training, and employee relations. You will need to have a deep understanding of labor laws, employee benefits, and performance management. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong understanding of the ethical implications of HR decisions, the importance of cultural sensitivity in HR practices, and the challenges and opportunities of global HR management.

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Policy Analyst

As a Policy Analyst, you will be responsible for researching and analyzing public policy issues and making recommendations to policymakers. You will need to have a deep understanding of public policy, research methods, and data analysis. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong understanding of the ethical implications of policy decisions, the importance of cultural sensitivity in policy analysis, and the challenges and opportunities of global policymaking.

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Journalist

As a Journalist, you will be responsible for gathering, writing, and reporting news stories. You will need to have a deep understanding of journalism ethics, news writing, and media law. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong understanding of the ethical implications of journalistic decisions, the importance of cultural sensitivity in news reporting, and the challenges and opportunities of global journalism.

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Lawyer

As a Lawyer, you will be responsible for advising clients on legal matters, representing them in court, and drafting legal documents. You will need to have a deep understanding of the law, legal procedure, and legal ethics. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course may be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong understanding of the ethical implications of legal decisions, the importance of cultural sensitivity in legal practice, and the challenges and opportunities of global law.

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Teacher

As a Teacher, you will be responsible for educating and inspiring students in a classroom setting. You will need to have a deep understanding of teaching methods, curriculum development, and student assessment. The Ethics, Culture, and Global Perspectives course can be helpful to you in this role, as it will help you to develop a strong understanding of the ethical implications of teaching decisions, the importance of cultural sensitivity in the classroom, and the challenges and opportunities of global education.

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