Module manager: Elizabeth Ellis
Email: e.a.ellis@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module is an introduction to professional ethics and examines some of the challenges and crises that might arise in professional working life. You will consider several topics in professional ethics through the lens of a current issue. It forms parts of the ‘Ethics, Religion and Law’ Discovery Theme and is suitable for students interested in the themes of professionalism and regulatory compliance and equally suitable for students interested in ethics more generally. It will also be suitable for students interested in personal and professional development, enterprise, and technology and its impacts. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The aim of this module is to make you aware of the ethical challenges that face professionals in their working lives, and to help you develop and practise the reasoning skills needed to handle ethically challenging situations in your own working lives and/or to reach judgments on decisions made by others.
The module also fosters the skills of ethical awareness, critical thinking, professionalism, creative problem solving and communication.
The module will be delivered by lectures which introduce practical ethical issues and theories, and seminars where you will be encouraged to debate the issues and reach your own reasoned view.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically discuss concepts and arguments in professional ethics
2. Explain and apply ideas and arguments in professional ethics to complex real-life situations and decisions
3. Defend your own view through clear and concise argument.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language. (Academic and Work Ready skill)
5. Critically analyse source material and demonstrate independence of thought. (Academic and Work Ready skill)
6. Search for and use appropriate material to support knowledge and analysis of topics. (Academic, Work Ready, Digital and Sustainability skill)
Topics that might be studied include:
- the public interest
- the nature of integrity
- privacy and confidentiality
- intellectual property
- whistleblowing
- trust
Examples of current issues in professional ethics that might be studied include:
- the extent to which the media ought to respect the privacy of figures in the public eye
- the exploitation of tax loopholes
- ethical challenges surrounding big data and emerging A.I. technologies
- professional responsibilities in the face of the climate crisis
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Private study hours | 84 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 16 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Students receive oral feedback about their ideas as a normal part of in-person seminar discussion.
Each student is invited to complete an essay plan. To ensure that students get the formative feedback that they need, they are asked to read and reflect on (i) the PRHS marking criteria and (ii) the specific guidance provided on the summative assessment in this module. This requires students to play an active role in honing their knowledge and skill development.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 14/02/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team