This course is part of the Ethical Leadership Specialization

James Otteson

Offered By

Ethical Leadership SpecializationThe University of Notre Dame

About this Course

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The course examines the common perceptions of business (both positive and negative) and the role of business in a market economy by first introducing the main elements of a market economy, and then presenting opposing points of view of this economic model.The course encourages reflection upon the possibility that business can be honorable and play a role in a just and humane society.

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Course 1 of 6 in the

Ethical Leadership Specialization

Beginner Level

There is no particular recommended background. No prior knowledge is expected.

Approx. 22 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Identify the main elements of a market economy Explain how a market economy is supposed to work
Evaluate the strongest arguments for supporting a market economy Evaluate the objections to the role of business in a market economy
Reflect on the role of business in a just and humane society Create a personal vision statement for an honorable professional life

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 1 of 6 in the

Ethical Leadership Specialization

Beginner Level

There is no particular recommended background. No prior knowledge is expected.

Approx. 22 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

James Otteson

James R. Otteson, John T. Ryan Jr. Professor of Business Ethics, Mendoza College of Business

Mendoza College of Business

648 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

The University of Notre Dame

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

7 hours to complete

Justice in a Commercial Society?

Many people are suspicious of business. Should they be? Can business be honorable? Is business required to “give back” to society?

7 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 58 min), 21 readings, 6 quizzes

7 videos

Welcome to the Course!4mJustice in a Commercial Society?9mAdam Smith on Justice and Beneficence8mAdam Smith's Explanation of the Wealth of Nations (Part 1)11mAdam Smith’s Explanation of the Wealth of Nations (Part 2)7mPope St. John Paul II on the Nobility of Work8mRecap of Justice in a Commercial Society?8m

21 readings

Welcome10mCourse Overview & Requirements2mMeet Your InstructorNetiquetteOptional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2m“Market Reformer: An Economist Considers Pope Francis’ Critique of Capitalism”20mOptional Learning Activity2mOptional Resources2mIntroduction2mTheory of Moral Sentiments55mOptional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mWealth of Nations1h 30mOptional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2m Laborem Exercens1hOptional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mOptional Learning Activity2mWeek 1 Next Steps2m

6 practice exercises

Lesson 1.115mLesson 1.215mLesson 1.320mLesson 1.410mLesson 1.530mLesson 1.5 Reflection30m

Week2

Week 2

5 hours to complete

Value – Broken Windows and Prices

5 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 48 min), 17 readings, 5 quizzes

5 videos

Introduction to Value: Broken Windows and Prices3mBastiat’s What Is Seen and What Is Unseen12mHayek on Rational Economic Order and Prices11mSandel: Can Markets Price Everything?12mRecap of Value: Broken Windows and Prices7m

17 readings

Optional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mOptional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mWhat Is Seen and What Is Not Seen40mOptional Learning Activity2mOptional Resources2mIntroduction2m“The Use of Knowledge in Society”7mOptional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mVideo: What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets34mOptional Learning Activity2mOptional Resources2mIntroduction2mOptional Learning Activity2mWeek 2 Next Steps2m

4 practice exercises

Lesson 2.210mLesson 2.310mLesson 2.410mLesson 2.530m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Objections to Markets

4 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 44 min), 16 readings, 6 quizzes

5 videos

Introduction to Objections to Markets3mTwo Moral Objections from Karl Marx12mG. A. Cohen's Camping Trip: A Recent Case for Socialism11mCohen on Luck and Equality of Opportunity12mRecap of Objections to Markets and Capitalism5m

16 readings

Optional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mOptional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mKarl Marx’s “Free Human Production”20mOptional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mWhy Not Socialism?20mOptional Learning Activity2mOptional Resources2mIntroduction2mOptional Learning Activity2mOptional Resources2mIntroduction2mOptional Learning Activity2mWeek 3 Next Steps2m

5 practice exercises

Lesson 3.110mLesson 3.210mLesson 3.310mLesson 3.410mLesson 3.530m

Week4

Week 4

6 hours to complete

Why Business?

Can one be fully moral and at the same time engage in business in a market economy? Can one express one’s moral values and live a virtuous life in business? In Week 4, you will come full circle to address the essential question of the course: Why business? This week, you’ll reflect on the role of business in a just and humane society. You will also consider the role of business from your own perspective, and you will have a chance to examine (question) your own moral obligations as a person engaged in or with business.

6 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 50 min), 17 readings, 6 quizzes

6 videos

Introduction to Why Business? 3mAndrew Carnegie on the Duties of Wealth11mMilton Friedman on the Social Responsibility of Business14mPope Francis on Economic Exclusion 10mRecap of Why Business? 8mClosing2m

17 readings

Optional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mOptional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mThe Gospel of Wealth50mOptional Learning Activity2m Introduction10mThe Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profit30mOptional Learning Activity2mIntroduction2mPope Francis’s Evangelii Gaudium 55mOptional Learning Activity2mOptional Resources2mIntroduction2mOptional Resources2mOptional Learning Activity2mWeek 4 Next Steps2m

5 practice exercises

Lesson 4.15mLesson 4.210mLesson 4.310mLesson 4.410mLesson 4.530m

About the Ethical Leadership Specialization

Welcome to the Specialization in Ethical Leadership! Over the course of a few months, we aim to help you understand how to “Grow the Good in Business” through leadership centered in personal integrity, conviction, and values. Corporate culture is often criticized for valuing short-term gains over long-term growth and concern for others. At Notre Dame, our approach integrates ethical, social, and environmental issues into traditional business courses. Our aim is to equip you with cross-functional intelligence, a balanced worldview, and a proper sense of moral purpose that can prepare you to contribute, cooperate, compete, and lead ethically in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Why Business? What is the Role of Business in a Just and Humane Society

About this Course

What you will learn