Foundations of Ethical Decision-Making: Government and Political Issues from edX

Globalization has dramatically increased the influence of international corporations in political, economic, and sociocultural spheres. More than ever, global managers are faced with profound choices about their impact. In this course, you will analyze real-world ethical dilemmas using multiple frameworks and ultimately refining your own approach to ethical decision-making.

When considering complex ethical questions, how useful are your starting assumptions? How do your decisions change when you prioritize established rules versus projected outcomes? Through case studies on mineral extraction and racial discrimination, you will gain a practical foundation in applied ethics and the skills to makes sound ethical decisions throughout your career.

What you'll learn

Describe the characteristics of applied ethics and the impact of ethical decision-making on society.
Define and contrast rules- and results-based approaches to ethical decision-making.
Apply rules-based and results-based approaches in relation to human rights scenarios.
Analyze the role of corporate political involvement in balancing human rights with the recognition of host governments’ legitimacy.
Identify and assess how global business practices intersect with values of censorship, privacy, and public safety on the internet.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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Teaches applied ethics for ethical decision-making, which is relevant to leaders and decision-makers in business and related fields

Focuses on contemporary issues in business ethics, such as mineral extraction and racial discrimination, ensuring relevance to current industry challenges

Compares rules-based and results-based ethical decision-making, providing foundational knowledge of ethical frameworks

Designed for global managers who are responsible for making ethical decisions in complex environments

Appropriate for learners with some prior knowledge of ethics or related disciplines, but not necessarily extensive experience in business

Taught by John Kline, whose expertise in business ethics is not explicitly detailed in the provided information

Reviews summary

Foundations in ethical decision-making

Based on its stated objectives, learners can anticipate a robust foundation in applied ethics, refining their approach to complex ethical dilemmas in global contexts. The course is designed to provide multiple frameworks, utilizing real-world case studies such as mineral extraction and racial discrimination. Students will learn to distinguish between rules-based and results-based approaches, equipping them with practical skills highly relevant for careers in global management and policy.

Compares key ethical decision-making methodologies.

"I anticipate clearly defining and contrasting rules-based and results-based approaches to ethical decision-making."

"Understanding how my decisions change when prioritizing established rules versus projected outcomes is a key takeaway for me."

"I'm eager to apply these distinct ethical methodologies to challenging human rights scenarios."

Highly applicable for professionals in global business.

"As someone in global management, the course's focus on corporate political involvement and ethical impact is directly relevant to my challenges."

"It seems crucial for understanding how to balance human rights with the legitimacy of host governments in an international context."

"I expect to learn how global business practices intersect with values like censorship, privacy, and public safety online."

Utilizes impactful, real-world case studies for learning.

"The inclusion of case studies on mineral extraction and racial discrimination suggests a highly relevant and practical learning experience."

"I look forward to applying the ethical frameworks directly to concrete, real-world scenarios."

"Learning through specific and complex examples will help me understand the nuances of ethical choices in policy."

Offers various frameworks for analyzing ethical dilemmas.

"I expect to gain a practical foundation in applied ethics from this course, focusing on real-world dilemmas."

"I anticipate learning how to analyze ethical challenges using multiple, distinct frameworks."

"The emphasis on refining my personal approach to ethical decision-making sounds very useful for my career."

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 Foundations of Ethical Decision-Making: Government and Political Issues with these activities:

Review core concepts in philosophy and ethics

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Strengthen your foundational understanding of ethical principles and concepts.

Browse courses on Philosophy

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Review readings from philosophy and ethics courses.
Summarize key arguments and perspectives on ethical issues.
Reflect on how these concepts apply to your own ethical decision-making.

Follow video tutorials on ethical decision-making frameworks

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Gain a solid foundation in ethical decision-making frameworks and their applications.

Browse courses on Ethical Decision-Making

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Identify reputable online courses or tutorials on ethical decision-making frameworks.
Watch videos and complete accompanying exercises.
Apply the frameworks to real-world business scenarios.

Complete online exercises on ethical dilemmas

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Enhance your ability to identify and analyze ethical dilemmas in business contexts.

Browse courses on Ethical Decision-Making

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Access online platforms or resources that provide ethical dilemma exercises.
Solve multiple-choice and case study-based exercises.
Reflect on your answers and compare them with expert solutions.

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Read and analyze 'The Ethics of Corporate Governance'

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Gain insights into the ethical challenges faced by global corporations and how these challenges are addressed through corporate governance practices.

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Read and summarize the key chapters on ethical decision-making and corporate responsibility.
Analyze case studies on ethical dilemmas in corporate governance.
Discuss the implications of the book's findings for your own approach to ethical decision-making in a business context.

Engage in peer discussion groups on ethical issues

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Expand your perspectives on ethical issues by discussing them with fellow learners.

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Join or start a peer discussion group focused on ethical issues.
Participate in online or offline discussions.
Share your own insights and learn from others' experiences.

Develop a presentation on ethical decision-making in a specific industry

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Strengthen your understanding of ethical issues in a specific industry and develop your skills in presenting complex topics.

Browse courses on Ethical Decision-Making

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Research ethical challenges and best practices in a particular industry.
Develop a framework for ethical decision-making in that industry.
Create a presentation that outlines your framework and applies it to real-world scenarios.
Present your findings to a group of peers or industry professionals.

Participate in case competitions on ethical decision-making

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Challenge yourself by applying your knowledge and skills to real-world ethical challenges.

Browse courses on Ethical Decision-Making

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Identify and register for case competitions that focus on ethical decision-making.
Analyze case studies and develop comprehensive solutions.
Present your solutions to a panel of judges and receive feedback.

Contribute to an open-source platform related to ethical decision-making

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Gain hands-on experience in applying ethical principles to real-world problems.

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Identify open-source platforms or projects that are aligned with your interests.
Contribute to code development, documentation, or community support.
Engage with the community and share your knowledge and insights.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of Ethical Decision-Making: Government and Political Issues will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

International Development Specialist

International Development Specialists create and lead programs, policies, and projects that improve living conditions in developing countries. They work with governments, businesses, and local organizations to promote sustainable development.

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Human Rights Lawyer

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International Relations Analyst

International Relations Analysts research, analyze, and provide expertise on global affairs. They help governments, businesses, and organizations make informed decisions about foreign policy and international relations.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policy issues. They work for government agencies, think tanks, and other organizations. This course may be useful for Policy Analysts as it will help them apply ethical principles to policy-making.

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International Business Consultant

International Business Consultants analyze global markets, advise multinational corporations, and help businesses grow across borders. They play a fundamental role in the international development of organizations.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement strategies to make their organization more environmentally and socially responsible. They work with all departments of the organization to identify and reduce the organization's environmental impact.

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Corporate Lawyer

Corporate Lawyers advise businesses on legal matters, enforce compliance, and draft contracts. They help their organizations make sure their conduct conforms with all applicable laws and regulations. This course may be useful for Corporate Lawyers, as it focuses on the ethical obligations enterprises have and the problems that can occur if a business does not uphold its responsibilities.

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Government Affairs Manager

Government Affairs Managers represent their companies or organizations in front of various government bodies. Working with politicians, Government Affairs Managers aim to influence policy decisions in a way that is beneficial for their client. This course may be useful for Government Affairs Managers as it explores the role of corporate political involvement in balancing human rights with the recognition of host governments’ legitimacy.

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Nonprofit Executive Director

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Foreign Service Officer

Foreign Service Officers are the U.S. government's representatives abroad. Working in embassies and consulates around the world, Foreign Service Officers conduct diplomacy and public affairs on behalf of the U.S. government. This course may be useful to Foreign Service Officers as it can help build a foundation for understanding the importance of ethics in international relations and business practices.

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Public relations manager

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on events and issues. They work for newspapers, magazines, websites, and other media outlets. This course may be useful for Journalists as it can help build a foundation for understanding the importance of ethics in reporting.

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Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers are responsible for ensuring that all departments of a company follow laws and regulations related to their industry. Failure to comply with rules can lead to fines, lawsuits, and a damaged reputation. This course may be useful for Compliance Officers as it explores the ethical responsibilities of corporations, especially as they relate to other countries and cultures.

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Managers analyze and improve the impact of their company's business decisions on the surrounding environment and stakeholders. They aim to create a positive impact on the community while maximizing profits for their company. This course may be useful for those who wish to work in Corporate Social Responsibility as it delves deeply into international business practices and the impact these businesses can have on human rights.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers research, create, and execute strategies that grow their company's business. Whether creating or improving products or expanding into new markets, Business Development Managers can guide their company toward success. This course may be useful for Business Development Managers as it explores ethical business practices related to the expansion into new markets.

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