Courses & Units

Ethics, Social Responsibility and the Law LAW181

Online

Introduction

Become better prepared to understand concepts of ethics, social responsibility and the law and how these shape individual and collective behaviour in modern society. Sustainable inspirational leadership can only evolve from a legitimate, ethical and socially responsible base. Equally, reputations can be damaged as a result of conduct that is unethical or unlawful and which may have come about as a result of poor judgment and lack of insight and reflection. This unit will challenge your current thinking and ask you to explore different perspectives around ethics, social responsibility and the law and their interconnections. It will equip you to navigate complex professional ethical dilemmas and make positive choices that are individually affirming and socially responsible. Social responsibility is also explored at the collective level and how this is shaping the modern corporate world with growing expectations on companies to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. You will learn theoretical philosophical principles that encompass ethical decision-making and explore how ethical frameworks can assist a person to make appropriate, rationally defensible decisions within a range of settings: professional ethics, with a particular focus on how ethics influences the life of a legal professional; medical ethics and the contemporary research environment; business ethics and the ethical expectations underpinning corporate social responsibility; and the context of policy settings to minimise criminal behaviour. The unit will equip you to navigate complex professional ethical dilemmas and make positive choices that are individually affirming and socially responsible. Social responsibility is also explored at the collective level and how this is shaping the modern corporate world with growing expectations on companies to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

Summary

Unit name	Ethics, Social Responsibility and the Law
Unit code	LAW181
Credit points	12.5
College/School	College of Arts, Law and Education Faculty of Law
Discipline	Law\|Philosophy and Gender Studies
Coordinator	Professor Margaret Otlowski
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1		Off-Campus	International	Domestic

Key

: On-campus
: Off-Campus
: International students
: Domestic students

Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	24/2/2025	25/3/2025	14/4/2025	1/6/2025

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

Describe and explain ethical issues in decision making and distinguish ethical norms from legal, prudential or religious considerations.
Critically evaluate competing normative ethical theories and be able to weigh their relative advantages and disadvantages as guides for ethical decision making.
Apply normative ethical theories and soft legal rules in a range of different professional contexts to arrive at rationally-defensible decisions
Work independently and collaboratively, and embrace and respect a diversity of perspectives.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution ^1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution ^1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution ^2,3	Domestic Full Fee ⁴
090999	$2,124.00	$1,663.00	not applicable	$2,142.00

Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

XBR106

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	13 week unit taught in Semester 1 fully online
Assessment	Assessment Task 1: Multiple Choice Test (Online) on Moral Theories (10%)\|Assessment Task 2: Discussion Board Participation (20%)\|Assessment Task 3: Weekly Online Quizzes (Weeks 6-12) (20%)\|Assessment Task 4: Reflective Exercise (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable \| View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.