Program Overview

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Introduction to Ethics & Critical Thinking

The course "Introduction to Ethics & Critical Thinking" is designed to equip students with the skills to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world. It focuses on understanding the multiple crises of our age, including the accelerating ecological crisis and digitalization, and how these transformations impact our way of life.

Course Details

• Credits: 3
• Instructor: Palazzo Guido
• Language: English
• Withdrawal Policy: It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.
• Remark: Courses are given on the IMD Campus.

Summary

In a society undergoing rapid change, the solutions learned and the challenges faced no longer align. This course addresses the need for ethical decision-making in times of great change and disorientation.

Content

The course is structured into blocks, each focusing on a specific aspect of ethics and critical thinking:

• Block 1: The great transformation - Understanding the multiple crises of our age
• Block 2: Analyzing the CSR performance of a company
• Block 3: Ethical decision making
• Block 4: Evil in organizations (1)
• Block 5: Evil in organizations (2)
• Block 6: Presentation of group works (assignment 1)

Keywords

• Business ethics
• Ecological transition
• Storytelling
• Critical thinking
• Unethical behavior

Learning Prerequisites

• Required courses: None

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students must be able to:

• Examine the driving forces of the current societal crisis.
• Analyze sustainability narratives.
• Manage ethical risks in organizations.

Assessment Methods

• Assignment 1 (Group): Analyzing the CSR performance of companies critically.
• Assignment 2 (Individual): Analyzing corporate scandals.

Supervision

• Office hours: Not specified
• Others: Not specified

Resources

• Bibliography: Available in the syllabus
• Moodle Link: Not provided

Integration into Study Plans

This course is part of several study plans:

• Management durable et technologie, Master semestre 1
  • Semester: Autumn
  • Number of places: 40
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Course type: Obligatory
• Chimie moléculaire et biologique, Master semestre 1
  • Semester: Autumn
  • Number of places: 40
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Course type: Optional
• Chimie moléculaire et biologique, Master semestre 3
  • Semester: Autumn
  • Number of places: 40
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Course type: Optional
• Mineur en Ingénierie pour la durabilité, Semestre automne
  • Semester: Autumn
  • Number of places: 40
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Course type: Optional

Reference Week

The course schedule is provided in a table format, indicating the timing of lectures and other activities throughout the semester.

Related Courses

Information on related courses can be found through the EPFL's course search platform.