Module code and title:

Preparing for a Professional Career

Module leader:

Lawrence Ngoe

Module Outline
This module aims to set out the moral and ethical codes of business, highlight how these impact on corporate governance and corporate social responsibility strategies. In addition to this, the module also examines the importance of professional practice in business.
Learning outcomes:
LO 1	Locate and evaluate resources relating to business codes of doing business in a moral ethical way;
LO 2	Explore one aspect of professional practice in more depth;
LO 3	Reflect on your understanding of the core elements of operating in a professional way;
LO 4	Construct a CPD plan.
Assessment Outline:
Formative:	Weekly elements of the assignment report
Summative:	Written report (1000-word count) discussing the challenges associated with business ethics and the links to codes of practice and governance, and a CPD plan (500-word count) that reflects on the learning from the module.
Weekly Schedule
	TOPIC	CONTENT
1 Part 1	Module Overview This session provides the students with an overview of the module content delivery and expectations. PLEASE ENSURE THAT BOTH THE ASSIGNMENT BRIEF AND SOW FOR THE MODULE ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL WITH THE LEARNERS HIGHLIGHT BOTH FORMATIVE & SUMMATIVE DEADLINES. Discuss assessment brief, how to access support and guidance, discuss expectations and deadlines. Define the term business ethics and discuss key global ethical issues e.g. CSR, cultural imperialism, ecology, fair trade, corruption, child labour etc.	RELEVANT READING: Read the case studies on Moodle regarding global ethics affecting business. Weiss, J. W. (2014) Business Ethics: A Stakeholder and Issues Management Approach. 6th Edition. Berret-Koehler Publishers. Chapters 1 and 2 Select 3 organisations and read through their websites
TASK/ACTIVITY: A considerable amount of time should be given going through the brief, SOW and assignment guide.

1 Part 2	Influencing Organisations Discuss key global and national organisations who address ethical issues.
FORMATIVE TASK: Student will introduce one contemporary ethical challenge facing the business environment today (for example CSR, Corporate Governance, Sustainability, Environment, Human Rights, Corruption). They need to give a definition and examples of how the issue challenge affects companies and how companies affect the issue both positively and negatively. This will be in an appropriate style and submitted in the correct layout. Lecturers will provide specific, clear, constructive and timely feedback, with particular focus on the layout, writing style, use of sources and referencing.
ANCILLARY MATERIALS: Video on pressure groups: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYvXm6GBNqM United Nations Global Impact document found on Moodle
2 Part 1	Operational Activities (A) Examine ethics in business; Finance HR Identify key organisations who provide advice and codes of conduct	RELEVANT READING: Meyer-Galow, Erhard.(2018) Business Ethics 3.0: The New Integral Ethics, Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2018. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.uos.idm.oclc.org/lib/ucsl/detail.action?docID=5159186. Chapter 2 CIPD Code of Conduct (available on CIPD Website and Moodle)
ANCILLARY MATERIALS: Relevant Codes of Conduct (found on Moodle)
2 Part 2	Operational Activities (B) Examine ethics in business; Production Sales Intellectual Property Identify key organisations who provide advice and codes of conduct	RELEVANT READING: Thomas, R. M. (2015) Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility: Cambridge-Gourlay-Trinity Lectures, Ethics International Press. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.uos.idm.oclc.org/lib/ucsl/detail.action?docID=3238452. - Chapter 5
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Students will submit the second part of their report, focusing on a Code of Conduct which can assist in addressing the ethical issue discussed in session two. Drawing on the relevant Code, they will explain what can be done to improve the situation for individuals, communities and organisations. Lecturers will provide specific, clear, constructive and timely feedback, focusing on the layout, writing style, use of sources and referencing.
ANCILLARY MATERIALS: Relevant Codes of Conduct (found on Moodle)
3 Part 1	Corporate Governance & Management (A) Discuss company strategies of; Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility Sustainability Link all of above to codes of conduct.	RELEVANT READING: Weiss, J. W. (2014) Business Ethics: A Stakeholder and Issues Management Approach. 6th Edition. Berret-Koehler Publishers. Chapters 4 and 5
ANCILLARY MATERIALS: Relevant Codes of Conduct (found on Moodle)
3 Part 2	Corporate Governance & Management (B) Discuss company strategies of; trading fairly legal and regulatory compliance working conditions Link all of above to codes of conduct.	RELEVANT READING: Weiss, J. W. (2014) Business Ethics: A Stakeholder and Issues Management Approach. 6th Edition. Berret-Koehler Publishers. Chapters 4
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Students will submit the third part of their report focusing on support and guidance available from Professional Bodies. They should identify the Professional Body best suited to help companies deal with the ethical issue they chose in week one, explain why they are the most suitable organisation, and the nature of support and guidance they offer to companies. Lecturers will provide specific, clear, constructive and timely feedback, focusing on the layout, writing style, use of sources and referencing.
ANCILLARY MATERIALS: Relevant Codes of Conduct (found on Moodle)

4 Part 1	Implications of Corporate Governance Adapting business behaviour Responding to ethical issues and implementing ethical practices Influence on stakeholders and pressure groups Impact on competitiveness Company reputation and public image
4 Part 2	Role of CPD in business ethics Define CPD Discuss how CPD can impact business ethics for both organisation and individual employees. Discuss the CPD plan template	READING: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/continuing-professional-development.html explore link to examine the importance of CPD and information of how to improve specific learning and business skills.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Students will write the last part of their report, identifying the most likely positive and negative impact that the Code of Conduct and Professional Body support can have on the ethical issue from the perspective of the community and company. Students will complete their CPD plan using the template provided. They will give details of what they have learnt from the module, how their learning will impact further studies and/or career, and the SMART actions they intend to take to implement learning. Lecturers will provide specific, clear, constructive and in time feedback on the final part of the report and CPD plan.
ANCILLARY MATERIALS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6bnG8Ahspo
Reading and Resources
Beal, B. D. (2014) Corporate Social Responsibility: Definition, Core Issues and Recent Developments. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Inc. Weiss, J. W. (2014) Business Ethics: A Stakeholder and Issues Management Approach. 6th Edition. Berret-Koehler Publishers.
Ed, K. (2012) Everything You Need to Know About Business Ethics. BrainMass Inc. Cannon. T. (2012) Corporate Responsibility: Governance, Compliance and Ethics in a Sustainable Environment. 2nd Edition, Pearson. Cavagnaro, E. and Curiel, G. H. (2012) The Three Levels of Sustainability. Sheffield: Routledge. Sayles. L. R. and Smith. C. J. (2006) Rise of the Rogue Executive: The Good companies go bad and How to stop the destruction. 1st Edition, Financial Times Press.
Additional Reading
Lin. N. (2002) Social Capital: A Theory of Social Structure and Action (Structural Analysis in the Social Sciences). Cambridge University Press.
Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. Available: https//www.cipd.co.uk/about/what-we-do/professional-standards/code.
Nursing and Midwife Council. Available: http://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/read-the-code-online.
Teaching Code of Practice. Available: http://set.et-foundatiohn.co.uk/membership/code-of-professional-practice.

ITEMS HIGHLIGHTED IN GREY ARE THE ESSENTIAL TEXTS FOR THE MODULE

Attachments:

ppc-scheme-of....docx