Information on individual educational components (ECTS-Course descriptions) per semester

Business Ethics

Degree programme Computer Science - Software and Information Engineering
Subject area Engineering Technology
Type of degree Bachelor
Full-time
Winter Semester 2024
Course unit title Business Ethics
Course unit code 024717050651
Language of instruction English
Type of course unit (compulsory, optional) Elective
Teaching hours per week 2
Year of study 2024
Level of the course / module according to the curriculum
Number of ECTS credits allocated 3
Name of lecturer(s) Karin Thea TROMMELSCHLÄGER
Requirements and Prerequisites

None

Course content

The seminar is divided in two main parts: the theoretical foundation and practical training. In the first part, fundamental terms and historical theories of applied ethics are presented and discussed. We will also have a close look at current ethical issues, dilemma situations and the ongoing value debate. In the second part, each student works out a case study and applies a selected CSR method to a company. Among others, corporate goals, their relation to stakeholders, suppliers and employees, transparency, labour rights or environmental issues will be assessed. We will be discussing aspects of "a good life for all", environmental issues and hacker ethics. Optionally, an application for evaluating companies can be developed.

Learning outcomes

The students are sensitized by ethical reflections on the meaningfulness and consequences of economic and technological developments. Among other things, asked the question what constitutes a "good life for everyone" and what are the requirements for this. The connection between successful action and observance of ethical principles should be made conscious, but also questioned. Several CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) methods are taught and a case study implemented, focusing on the diverse relationships with "stakeholders".

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Seminar

Assessment methods and criteria

Immanent and Case Study

Comment

Not applicable

Recommended or required reading
  • Alton, Roland (2012): ethify yourself 2.0: Ethisch Leben und Wirtschaften als Chance. Wien: Edition Art & Science.
  • Binswanger, Mathias (2019): Der Wachstumszwang: Warum die Volkswirtschaft immer weiterwachsen muss, selbst wenn wir genug haben. 1. Wiley-VCH.
  • Bradburn, Roger (2001): Understanding Business Ethics. New ed. Cengage Learning.
  • Buchholtz, Ann; Buchholtz, Ann (2014): Business and Society: Ethics, Sustainability, and Stakeholder Management. 9 ed. Stamford, CT, USA: Cengage Learning, Inc.
  • DesJardins, Joseph R.; McCall, John J. (2014): Contemporary Issues in Business Ethics. 6 ed. Australia: Cengage Learning, Inc.
  • Driver (2006): Ethics: The Fundamentals. Malden, MA: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Epstein, Marc J.; Rejc, Adriana (2014): Making Sustainability Work: Best Practices in Managing and Measuring Corporate Social, Environmental and Economic Impacts. 2 New edition. Sheffield, UK: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
  • Frederick, Robert E. (2002): A Companion to Business Ethics. New Ed. Oxford: W.B.
  • ‘Home | Ethical Systems' (n. y.): Home | Ethical Systems. Available at: URL: https://www.ethicalsystems.org/ (Accessed on: 28 February 2020).
  • Hopkins, Michael (2008): Corporate Social Responsibility and International Development: Is Business the Solution? London New York: Routledge.
  • ‘ISO 26000 - Wikipedia' (n. y.): ISO 26000 - Wikipedia. Available at: URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_26000 (Accessed on: 28 February 2020).
  • Jennings, Marianne (2017): Business Ethics: Case Studies and Selected Readings. 9 ed. Australia Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, Inc.
  • Larmer, Robert A. (2001): Ethics in the Workplace: Selected Readings in Business Ethics. 002 Ed. Belmont, CA: WADSWORTH INC FULFILLMENT.
  • Piketty, Thomas (2017): Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Translated by Arthur Goldhammer. Reprint. Cambridge, Massachusetts; London: Harvard University Press.
  • John Raidts Portal EthicalSystems.org provides summaries of ethical debates.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face, distance learning)

Classroom teaching, case study, visiting an NGO