Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: BUSM8913C
Course Title: Apply ethical frameworks and principles to make and act upon decisions
School: 525T Business & Enterprise
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5424 - Diploma of Accounting
Course Contact: Doug Gourlay
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5944
Course Contact Email: doug.gourlay@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Naveen Garg
email: naveen.garg@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 40
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
There is no pre-requisite for this unit.
Course Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply ethical frameworks and principles when making decisions in own role.
The unit applies to individuals who use ethical principles and apply ethical frameworks to decide on, carry out, and evaluate the effectiveness of a course of action in response to an ethical situation in their workplace.
The skills in this unit must be applied according to commonwealth, state and territory legislation, and applicable national standards and industry codes of practice or similar instruments.
Work functions in the occupational areas where this unit may be used are subject to regulatory requirements. Users are advised to check with the relevant regulatory authorities to confirm those requirements.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
FNSINC514 Apply ethical frameworks and principles to make and act upon decisions |
Element: |
1. Frame the ethical question applicable to the situation |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Analyse context of situation and identify ethical principles that may apply 1.2 Analyse psychological tendencies and decision-making biases potentially influencing stakeholders 1.3 Identify potential breaches to regulatory requirements if situation is not addressed 1.4 Analyse ethical situation in the context of organisation's purpose and values 1.5 Evaluate impact on organisation's reputation if response to situation was in the public domain |
Element: |
2. Determine ethical response to situation |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify key stakeholders and analyse potential impacts 2.2 Analyse situation using an ethical decision-making framework and determine preferred course of action 2.3 Identify situational and psychological barriers impeding the analysis of, and response to, ethical situation 2.4 Seek advice on proposed actions from trusted adviser in the case of highly complex or sensitive matters 2.5 Formulate strategies and processes for responding to situational and psychological barriers |
Element: |
3. Develop implementation plan and carry out ethical response to situation |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Develop an implementation plan for ethical response 3.2 Identify reasons and rationalisations that may be encountered when speaking up on ethical issues, and analyse how to respond to them 3.3 Identify risks and stakeholder concerns, and communication strategies that acknowledge and mitigate them 3.4 Implement planned ethical response independently or with the support of colleagues, as required |
Element: |
4. Evaluate outcomes of ethical response |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Evaluate outcomes of response to ethical situation and identify whether the issue has been resolved and whether other courses of action could or should have been taken 4.2 Determine consequences of action for self and affected parties 4.3 Analyse what the outcomes of the course of action reveal about own and organisational values 4.4 Identify improved approaches for responding to future ethical situations |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities. The self-paced activities will be delivered through various technology platforms and include your contribution to wikis and discussion threads, reflective journals, quizzes and interactive sessions. The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussions, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.
We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.
Teaching Schedule
** It's important for students to be aware that a syllabus is a tentative plan for the course and that changes may occur throughout the semester. The teaching schedule may be subject to change. It's a good idea for students to periodically check the syllabus for updates and to communicate with their instructors if they have any questions or concerns about changes to the course information."
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Week |
Topic / Learning Materials to be covered |
Assessment due |
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1 |
Workplace Behaviours that Instil Trust and Mutual Respect
Reading: Pre Class content -Links provided in the weekly module Activity: IN - Class. Exploring course schedules and discussion in your time Quiz 1 - Introduction to Ethics
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2 |
The Essence of Ethical Dilemmas.
Class activity |
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3 |
Impact of remuneration and incentives
Class activity |
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4 |
Personal Values and their role in ethical decision making
Class activity |
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5 |
Social, Ethical and Business standards
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6 |
Current approaches to Whistleblowing
Class activity |
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7 |
Signs of Ethical Collapse
Class activity |
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MID SEMESTER BREAK |
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8 |
The Conflict of Moral Responsibility
Class activity |
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9 |
Solving Ethical Business Dilemmas
Class activity |
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10 |
Organisational culture and group behaviour
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11 |
Assessment 1 working time / Discussions |
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12 |
Assessment 2 discussion and briefing
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Assessment 1 Due online submission |
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13 |
Assessment working time Discussions |
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14 |
Assessment working / Discussions |
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15 |
Assessment working / Discussions |
Assessment 2 due online submission |
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16 |
Resits and Resubmissions |
Final Resubmissions |
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17 |
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18 |
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Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Apply Ethical Frameworks and Principles to Make and Act Upon Decisions (2023), Jacinta Scarf |
978-1-76073-291-2 |
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:
Performance Evidence
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:
- apply ethical frameworks and principles to at least three different situations found in a workplace and plan steps for execution.
In the course of the above, the candidate must:
- determine legislative, regulatory, industry and organisational requirements of each situation.
Knowledge Evidence
The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:
- industry context in which the unit is being applied, and ethical decision making required in common job roles in that industry
- frameworks for ethical decision making, problem solving and policy setting
- key features of an implementation plan for ethical response, including:
- data to be gathered
- stakeholders to communicate with
- order of steps to be taken in responding
- reasons and rationalisations for unethical behaviour and strategies for responding to them
- industry-specific legislative and regulatory requirements, codes and other relevant instruments required to produce the performance evidence
- procedures, strategies and protocols to identify and address unethical conduct.
Assessment Conditions
Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.
This includes access to:
- situations of comparable context and complexity to those reasonably likely to occur in the industry
- instruments, organisational policies and procedures, and other materials required to effectively apply ethical frameworks and principles to decision making situations.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
Feedback
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.
You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.
Assessment Tasks
There are 2 assessment tasks for this course. Please refer to the Assignment tab on Canvas for details about the assignments.
Assessment Matrix
All assessments will utilise a competency-based model and will be deemed as either Satisfactory or Not Yet Satisfactory.
Other Information
Submission Requirements
You should:
- Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
- Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (Hard copy and soft copy)
- When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on Canvas.
- Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.
Late Submission Procedures
You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.
More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.
More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w (unresolved)
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf
Resubmissions (VET Programs):
If you are found to be unsuccessful in a particular Course Assessment Task (or you do not submit/attend) you will be allowed one resubmission. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.
If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
Grading & re-submissions
Re-submissions do not contribute to your overall grade for the course.
Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:
More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31
Marking Guide (Competency):
You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive one of the three grades-
- C (Competent)
- NYC ( Not Yet competent)
- DNS ( Did Not Submit)
Course Overview: Access Course Overview