LDRS 320 : Ethical Decision-Making
2023-11-23
Course Description
An exploration of the leader’s decision-making practice, including the relation to problem-analysis, decision-making techniques, and ethical considerations. Emphasis is given to a critical examination of individual, organizational, and macro-level issues in ethics, and exploring the role of values and ethics in the leader’s formulation of strategies for motivating, communicating, utilizing power, and developing followers.
The syllabus includes key information about the course schedule, assignments, and policies. Please read the full course syllabus located at the bottom of the page.
Course Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing the course, you will be able to:
- Knowledge and its application
- Become familiar with the types of decisions commonly made within organizational contexts;
- Examine the individual and relational processes involved in making decisions, particularly the interplay of inquiry and advocacy within the context of deliberative dialogue;
- Become familiar with the types of decisions commonly made within organizational contexts;
- Cognitive complexity
- Recognize patterns of faulty decision making and understand how to avoid them;
- Compare and contrast competing systems of ethical analysis and evaluate them in a manner consistent with a Christian worldview (ethical evaluation);
- Recognize patterns of faulty decision making and understand how to avoid them;
- Social responsibility and global engagement
- Adopt wise decision-making practices that respond sustainably to the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity of contemporary social and global conditions and situations;
- Adopt wise decision-making practices that respond sustainably to the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity of contemporary social and global conditions and situations;
- Leadership
- Develop a personal approach to ethical decision‐making within the context of a values‐based organization (values compass);
- Develop an awareness of personal leadership style, particularly with respect to the values employed in exercising leadership (value realization).
- Develop a personal approach to ethical decision‐making within the context of a values‐based organization (values compass);
Determination Of Final Grade
Assessment | Grade | Learning Outcome |
---|---|---|
Discussions | 20% | 1-7 |
Assignment 1: Article Analysis | 10% | 2,3,4,5 |
Assignment 2: Video Presentation | 20% | 4-5 |
Assignment 3: Group Project | 25% | 4-5 |
Assignment 4: Final Paper | 25% | 4-5 |
See the Course Syllabus and the Assessments section in Moodle for specific assignment details, including grading rubrics.
Course Topics
- Introduction to Decision Making Influences and Models
- Understanding Faulty Decision Making
- Developing Effective Dialogue in Decision Making
- Developing a Decision as a Process: Advocacy to Inquiry
- The Role of Hidden Psychological Traps in Decision Making
- Making Decisions Using Critical Thinking
- The Role of Personal Ethics
- The Theory of Duty and Rights
- Discovering the Ethical Theory of Consequentialism
- Cultural Relativism
- Ethics and Decision Making in a Corporate Culture
Course Resources
The following are key resources used in this course.
- Bauer, T., & Erdogan, B. (2009). Organizational behavior (1st ed.). New York: Flat World Knowledge.
- Daniel, K., Lovallo, D., & Sibony, O. (2013). HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Making Smart Decisions. Harvard Business Review.
Note that not all sections of this course use all of the above resources. Please confirm which of the following texts are required by checking your course syllabus.
Writing Standards
For this course, you are expected to follow the writing standards according to APA 7. Please consult the OWL Purdue website for guidance and seek assistance from the TWU Writing Center and writing coaches as needed. Assignments have rubrics that attribute some marks to APA formatting and cannot be graded as fully meeting expectations if there are APA errors. That said, your conceptual understanding remains of primary importance. It is your responsibility to ensure polished work to the highest standard of which you are capable. This demands meticulous attention to detail, which will become more ‘natural’ with practice. Please seek any necessary clarification from your instructor.
It will be assumed that you have read, understand, and agree to the information provided at the Academic Dishonesty Policy website. If you have any questions at all please contact your instructor.