MNGT2005Leadership and Ethics

Course handbook

Description

Leadership and ethics have never been so important in contemporary business environments given high profile cases of ethically-compromised corporate failures. This course introduces students to the concepts of ethics and ethical behaviour within the context of leadership for the 21st century. The course will examine contemporary dynamic and complex business environments and explores the need for leaders to manage effectively ethically challenging situations, whilst seeking to balance the (often conflicting) expectations of multiple stakeholders. It examines both the foundations of ethical approaches within the context of leadership and the dominant normative leadership theories as well as emerging values-driven leadership theories. It evaluates such theories and examines closely contemporary issues in leadership and the special role the leader in nurturing ethically-orientated organisations. In addition, students are also introduced to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – ‘17 Goals to Transform Our World’. In the workshops we discuss the role of leadership in addressing these SDGs.

Availability2020 Course Timetables

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Identify and differentiate the concepts of morals, ethics, values and beliefs

2. Reflect upon the role of the leader and follower relationship and what attributes facilitate ethical practice

3. Analyse and differentiate between the dominant and emergent leadership theories and assess their suitability in facilitating ethical leadership practice

4. Identify the contemporary issues and challenges in leading ethically and put forward strategies and approaches for their solution

5. Demonstrate the skills and aptitudes of ethically-informed leaders in applying knowledge of ethical reasoning and leadership theory to case studies and other real-world settings

6. Propose an ethical reasoning framework against which the ethical nature of leadership approaches and practice can be evaluated

Content

The topics in this course include the following:

1. Ethics and contemporary ethical reasoning frameworks
2. The leader-follower relationship
3. Sense of the leadership 'self' and ethical dimensions of leadership
4. Dominant normative leadership theories
5. Emergent values-driven leadership theories
6. Contemporary ethical issues and challenges  in leadership
7. Dark side of leadership
8. Leader as a social architect/shaper of contexts
9. Ethical challenges to the leadership construct

Requisite

This course replaces MNGT3003. If you have successfully completed MNGT3003, you cannot enrol in this course.

Assumed knowledge

MNGT1001 Introduction to Management

Assessment items

Quiz: Mid Trimester Test: In class

Essay: Individual Reflective Essay

Formal Examination: Final Examination

Contact hours

Ourimbah, Newcastle City Precinct, PSB Singapore and Nurture - UTCC