Units
Business Law and Ethics
Unit code: BSB111
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit integrates the concepts and principles of business law with the theories and applications of business ethics. The unit makes extensive use of cases in law and ethics to develop knowledge and skills that enable students to analyse, apply and evaluate the legal principles and ethical decision-making processes relevant to modern business practice.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
| 2013 Summer | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
BSB111 introduces students to the Australian legal environment in which they will be conducting business, and addresses specific legal issues that relate to business, such as contract law, consumer law and negligence. It also recognises the need for the business leaders of tomorrow to act in accordance with society's ethical standards. These issues are pertinent regardless of which field of business a student may choose to major in.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to increase students' awareness and understanding of how to approach matters of legal and ethical significance and thereby to operate more effectively in a regulatory environment. This unit will help students to not only acquire such an understanding, but will also help them to develop an ability to apply the law to different scenarios and to develop moral reasoning and problem solving in relation to ethical issues that go beyond mere legal compliance.
Objectives
Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:
Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)
1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context
Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue
Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output
Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding
Unit Objectives
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
1. Identify the basic legal institutions and legal concepts relevant to business practice in Australia.
2. Recognise and consider the ideals and role of ethics, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility and regulation, in the business environment.
3. Explain and apply a range of legal and ethical decision making principles and processes in a business context and use these to solve problems.
4. Demonstrate cognitive legal and ethical reasoning skills through the synthesis and evaluation of these principles and processes in relation to particular problems and fact scenarios.
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
In this unit you will be introduced to:
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Teaching and learning strategies are designed to encourage you to fulfil the aims and objectives of the unit as discussed above. The delivery of this unit is based around 13 lecture/workshops, each three hours in duration. Throughout the workshops, students will be required to work through a number of problems. You will get the most out of these lectures if you prepare for them when asked to do so.
The unit is designed to promote and assess your understanding of the concepts covered and not just your ability to rote learn and recite them. You will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the legal principles and apply these in order to resolve legal problems.
The ethics component of the unit adopts a case analysis approach using the normative method to draw out key ethical principles and ethical decision-making processes.
This unit is supported by the QUT BSB111 Blackboard site that provides access to information such as the unit outline, workshop material, assessment information and staff contact details: http://blackboard.qut.edu.au
Assessment
General Assessment Information
Assessment for this unit comprises three items. In order to pass this unit, students need to achieve 50% or higher overall.
Feedback to students
Formative assessment in the form of quiz/discussion questions will be available by week 4 to give feedback to students on their progress, to allow them to gauge their aptitude for the unit.Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Assessment name:
Ethics Case Study
Description:
Written response to an ethical scenario where students are asked to apply various ethical theories to analyse and resolve the ethical issues raised and to reflect on the social and ethical responsibilities of individuals and businesses.
Formative or Summative: Both
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 5
Assessment name:
Mid-Semester Examination
Description:
Multiple choice questions.
Length/Duration: 1 hour plus 15 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 7
Assessment name:
End of Semester Examination
Description:
Problem-solving questions (hypotheticals)
Length/Duration: 2 hours plus 15 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1)
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Central Exam Period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Prescribed Text
BSB111 Business Law and Ethics (Wiley custom publication of various authors compiled by Dr Rouhshi Low), Wiley Publishers, 2013
Other Resources
Additional references can also be found at the unit's Blackboard site: http://blackboard.qut.edu.au
Risk assessment statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 24-Jan-2013
