Mulungushi University
Programs: All First years class
BMG 101: ETHICS AND SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOR IN SOCIETY
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Code: BMG 101
Prerequisites: None
Course Purpose
The overarching purpose of this course is to introduce students to a sense of
humanity and present them with a primer of a lifetime of critical thinking. This
will be realized by introducing students to selected ethical concepts and
communication behaviors that can be applied to contemporary social situations. In
short, the course is aimed at sensitizing students to exhibit responsible,
accountable, relevant and ethical values (RARE).
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to;
Explain, compare and contrast selected theories of Ethics
Course Objectives
Apply theories of Ethics to real life situations
Identify ethical dilemmas and how to effectively deal with them
Demonstrate sensitivity to RARE values in their academic and social
encounters
Explain selected concepts and theories of interpersonal communication
Demonstrate Non-Violent communication in their interactions
Discuss topical issues in Cross-Cultural communication and
interactions
Demonstrate gender sensitive communication in their ineractions
CONT…
Course Content
1. Nature of Ethics
Definitions and meaning
Morality
Values
Law
2. Theories of Ethics
Utilitranianism/Consequentialism
Deontology
Virtue
3. Ethical Decision Making
Ethical Absolutism
Ethical Relativism
Ethical dilemmas
Contemporary issues in Ethics
4. RARE (Responsible, Accountable, Relevant, Ethical) Personal Leadership
Definitions and Meaning
Role of values and principles in life
Principle and value-based personal leadership
The practice of RARE Principle based value system
CONT…
5. The nature and theories of interpersonal Communication
Definition and meaning
Aspects and contexts of communication
Misconceptions
Cognitive Dissonance Theory
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Social Exchange Theory Non- Violent Communication
Differentiating observation from evaluation
Differentiating feeling from thinking
Connecting with universal values
Constructive criticism
Managing emotions /making analytical evaluations
6. Topical Issues in Cross-Cultural Communication and interactions
Definition and meaning of culture
Managing cultural differences
Cross-cultural communication
Gender
Methods of Delivery
Lecturers: 3 Hours per week
Tutorials: 1 Hour per week
Methods of Assessment
Continuous Assessment : 40%
Tests : 20%
Assignments : 20%
Examination : 60%
Prescribed Readings
Afolayan, A and Newsum, H.E. (1983): The use of English. Essex Longman
Armstrong, M (2009): Handbook for Human Resource Management Practice. 1 Led Kogan
Page.
London
Branton, Gold J(2007): Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice. Palmograve Mc
Millan. NY. USA.
Des Jardins, J and Hartman, L.P(2008): Business Ethics: Decision Making for Personal
integrity and Responsibility. Mc Graw Hill. New York. 2nd Edition
Dolgroff, R (2009): Ethical Decisions for Social Work Practice.Thompson Books Co. 8th Ed .
Gichure, C.W(2008): Ethics in Africa Today: An Introduction to Business Ethics. Pauline
Publication African
CONT…
Hall, C.J(2005): Introduction to Language and Linguistics – Breaking the Language Spell.
Continum. London
Leena, C.J (2005): Communication Skills. New Delhi. Prentice Hall of India Limited
Montgomery, M(1982): Study Skills. Essex. Longman
Ngambi, H.C (2011): Total Leadership: Leading with the Head, Heart and Hands. Juta publishing Company
Recommended Readings
Anthony, W.P Karmar, M. P and Perrewe, P.C (2006): Human Resource Management: A Strategic Approach. Thompson Custom.
.
Ohio USA
Downing, A and Phillip, L (2006): English Grammar: A University Course. Routledge Taylor and
Francis Group. London
Jennings, M.M(2009): Business Ethics – Selected Case Studies. Western Centage Learning. Ohio. USA. 6th Edition
Introduction
The overarching purposes of this course will be to remind MU students of their
humanity, and to present you with a primer to a lifetime of critical thinking.
These objectives will be pursued by:
a) introducing you to selected ethical traditions and value systems; and
b) providing you with opportunities in the form of practical case studies and
scenarios to apply these to the contemporary social themes of ethics and
sustainable behaviour.
Definition of Concepts
Sustainability is all about long term continuance; it’s about the capacity to
endure; the ability to keep going; to support life of into the distant future.
When we look at these definitions it should be immediately obvious that this is
something we would want.
We must want to keep going as a species.
Because the alternative is that we die out – that we go extinct.
In fact we must surely want our children and their children to grow up in a world
which is at least as good as the world we grew up in.
This is the essence of sustainability
