Ethical Decision Making for Success in the Tech Industry from Coursera

This course focuses on how to do it right.

That is, it focuses on methodologies that we, as leaders, can use to figure out the right course of action. Some leadership ethical decisions are fairly straight forward; many don’t offer clear solutions. This course is where we find the knowledge and techniques to help us through the ethical tough spots.

Various approaches are examined. These include various theories that help to guide our ethical decision making. Also discussed are ethical awareness, moral decision making, and the courage necessary to make those decisions. Lastly, we look at the ethical challenges to individuals and leaders.

The goal of this course is to understand how to live an ethical professional life. In any incarnation of that goal, the path will not be easy. But, it is possible. This discussion of the “how”, helps us when a clear path is not easily found.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

What's inside

Syllabus

Ethical Theories Offer a Starting Point for Ethical Decision Making

This module addresses a few of the many current ethical theories: virtue ethics, consequentialism, and deontology. Each offers a way to view the ethical world. Each provides a means to simplify a complex ethical environment. And each has downfalls that sometimes create even more difficulty for the leader. Despite this, they provide a starting point for beginning to develop one’s own ethical philosophy and principles.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Daniel Moorer, who are recognized for their work in their field

Examines various approaches to ethical decision-making, including ethical theories and moral decision making, which is standard in industry

Addresses the ethical challenges facing individuals and leaders, which is highly relevant to industry

Develops courage, which is a core skill for ethical decision making

Explicitly advises students to take other courses first as prerequisites

Reviews summary

Guiding ethical decisions in tech

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, particularly for tech industry leaders. Many found the explanations of ethical theories like consequentialism and deontology to be exceptionally clear and practical. Students frequently lauded the course's focus on the courage necessary to implement ethical decisions in real-world scenarios, finding it a unique and impactful aspect. While the course is broadly well-received, some learners noted a desire for more diverse or in-depth tech-specific case studies to further ground the theoretical concepts. Overall, it is considered a highly valuable course for professionals navigating complex ethical landscapes.

Highlights the crucial role of courage in ethical action.

"The module on courage was a powerful reminder of the real-world challenges in ethical leadership."

"It’s not just theory; the course stresses the bravery needed to follow through with ethical decisions."

"I appreciated the focus on the practical courage required to lead ethically, which is often overlooked."

Directly applicable to unique tech industry challenges.

"The dilemmas discussed felt highly relevant to my role in the tech sector, which is hard to find in ethics courses."

"I can apply these decision-making tools directly to the ethical quandaries my team faces daily."

"Excellent for navigating the unique ethical landscape and rapid changes in technology."

Provides solid understanding of foundational ethical theories.

"I finally understood deontology and consequentialism clearly, which I'd struggled with before."

"The course made complex ethical theories easy to grasp and relate to practical scenarios."

"It helped me develop my own ethical philosophy and principles for leadership."

Pacing uneven or desired more depth in certain topics.

"Some topics felt a bit rushed, while others, perhaps less critical, seemed to drag slightly."

"I would have liked a deeper dive into certain complex ethical dilemmas rather than just an overview."

"The course provides a good overview, but I feel it could expand on some of the more nuanced theories."

Some desired more varied, specific tech examples.

"I wished for more diverse real-world tech case studies, especially regarding AI or data privacy."

"The course could benefit from additional contemporary scenarios from different tech sub-sectors."

"While good, more examples demonstrating application in specific tech company contexts would be great."

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 Ethical Decision Making for Success in the Tech Industry with these activities:

Review Ethical Issues in Leadership

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Review ethical principles to strengthen your understanding of the ethical challenges you may face as a leader.

Browse courses on Ethical Decision-Making

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Identify key ethical principles relevant to leadership.
Consider ethical dilemmas that leaders may encounter in different scenarios.
Discuss ethical decision-making frameworks and their applications in leadership.

Review Basic Ethical Principles

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Strengthen your foundation in ethical principles by reviewing key concepts.

Browse courses on Ethics

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Review lecture notes or textbooks on ethical theories.
Complete practice exercises or quizzes on ethical principles.

Ethics Case Study Discussion

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Engage in discussions with peers to explore ethical scenarios, share perspectives, and strengthen your ethical judgment.

Browse courses on Ethical Decision-Making

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Select an ethical case study relevant to leadership.
Prepare analysis and discussion points.
Facilitate a discussion with peers, presenting different perspectives and ethical considerations.
Summarize key insights and lessons learned from the discussion.

Nine other activities

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The Ethics of Leadership

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Become familiar with ethical principles and theories that can guide decision-making.

View The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes.
Identify the key ethical concepts discussed in the book.
Apply the concepts to real-world leadership situations.

Ethical Discussion Groups

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Engage in discussions with peers to exchange perspectives on ethical issues.

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Join a discussion group.
Participate in discussions on ethical topics.
Share your insights and experiences.

Ethical Decision-Making Simulations

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Practice applying ethical theories and frameworks through simulations.

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Participate in simulations that present ethical dilemmas.
Analyze the ethical issues involved.
Make ethical decisions and justify them.

Ethics Mentorship

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Enhance your understanding by mentoring others and guiding them through ethical dilemmas.

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Identify a mentee who seeks guidance on ethical issues.
Share your knowledge and experiences.
Provide constructive feedback on ethical decision-making.

Ethical Case Study Analysis

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Develop your analytical and problem-solving skills by examining real-life ethical dilemmas.

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Identify an ethical dilemma.
Analyze the ethical principles involved.
Develop and evaluate alternative solutions.
Write a case study report.

Ethical Leadership Plan

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Develop a plan that outlines your approach to ethical decision-making as a leader, considering principles, frameworks, and potential challenges.

Browse courses on Ethical Decision-Making

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Establish ethical principles and values that will guide your leadership.
Identify potential ethical challenges and dilemmas you may face.
Develop strategies for addressing ethical issues effectively and responsibly.
Outline a plan for ongoing ethical reflection and development.

Ethical Hackathon

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Participate in competitions to test your ethical decision-making skills and innovative solutions.

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Identify an ethical hackathon.
Form a team.
Develop an ethical solution to the problem.
Present your solution to a panel of judges.

Contribute to Ethical Open Source Projects

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Engage with the open source community and contribute to projects that address ethical challenges.

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Identify open source projects that focus on ethical issues.
Contribute code, documentation, or other resources.
Participate in discussions and provide feedback.

Leadership Ethics Blog

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Create a blog or article that explores ethical issues in leadership, sharing your insights and perspectives to contribute to the field.

Browse courses on Leadership Ethics

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Identify a specific ethical issue or topic related to leadership.
Research and gather information on the topic.
Develop your argument or perspective on the issue.
Write a well-structured and engaging blog post or article.

Career center

Learners who complete Ethical Decision Making for Success in the Tech Industry will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Engineering Manager

An Engineering Manager is a professional who leads a team of engineers in the design, development, and implementation of technical projects. This course can help you succeed as an Engineering Manager by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders. You will also learn how to identify and resolve ethical challenges, and how to build a strong ethical culture within your team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineering Manager

Software Development Manager

A Software Development Manager is responsible for overseeing the software development process, from planning and design to testing and deployment. This course can help you succeed as a Software Development Manager by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for managing a team of software engineers and ensuring that the software products you develop are safe, reliable, and meet the needs of users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Development Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for managing the development and launch of new products. This course can help you succeed as a Product Manager by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the needs of users and developing products that are safe, useful, and meet the needs of society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Technical Program Manager

A Technical Program Manager is responsible for managing the implementation of technical programs, from planning and budgeting to execution and evaluation. This course can help you succeed as a Technical Program Manager by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for managing complex programs with multiple stakeholders and ensuring that the programs you manage are effective and efficient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Program Manager

Systems Engineer

A Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and integrating complex systems, from hardware and software to networks and processes. This course can help you succeed as a Systems Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the complex interactions between different systems and ensuring that the systems you design are safe, reliable, and meet the needs of users.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to solve business problems. This course can help you succeed as a Data Scientist by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the ethical implications of data collection and analysis and ensuring that the data you use is accurate, reliable, and used for good.

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Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help you succeed as an Information Security Analyst by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the ethical implications of information security and ensuring that the security measures you implement are effective and efficient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Privacy Analyst

A Privacy Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's privacy and data protection policies and procedures. This course can help you succeed as a Privacy Analyst by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the ethical implications of data collection and analysis and ensuring that the privacy policies and procedures you implement are effective and efficient.

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Compliance Manager

A Compliance Manager is responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with all applicable laws and regulations. This course can help you succeed as a Compliance Manager by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the ethical implications of compliance and ensuring that the compliance programs you implement are effective and efficient.

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Risk Manager

A Risk Manager is responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing risks to an organization. This course can help you succeed as a Risk Manager by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the ethical implications of risk management and ensuring that the risk management programs you implement are effective and efficient.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer is responsible for writing technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. This course can help you succeed as a Technical Writer by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the ethical implications of technical documentation and ensuring that the documentation you write is accurate, clear, and useful.

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Technical Trainer

A Technical Trainer is responsible for training others on how to use technical products and services. This course can help you succeed as a Technical Trainer by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the ethical implications of technical training and ensuring that the training you provide is effective and efficient.

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Technical Sales Engineer

A Technical Sales Engineer is responsible for selling technical products and services to customers. This course can help you succeed as a Technical Sales Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the ethical implications of sales and ensuring that the products and services you sell are safe, reliable, and meet the needs of customers.

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Technical Support Engineer

A Technical Support Engineer is responsible for providing technical support to customers. This course can help you succeed as a Technical Support Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the ethical implications of technical support and ensuring that the support you provide is accurate, clear, and helpful.

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Technical Recruiter

A Technical Recruiter is responsible for recruiting technical talent for organizations. This course can help you succeed as a Technical Recruiter by providing you with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making, which is essential for understanding the ethical implications of recruiting and ensuring that the candidates you recruit are qualified and ethical.

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