Ethics and Professionalism
| Module title | Ethics and Professionalism |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEF3021DA |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 70 |
|---|
Module description
This module explores ethical and professional issues involved in banking. It starts by asking what ethics is, then investigates what specific ethical considerations operate in banking, and also explores whether banking should be professionalised to ensure those ethical considerations have an impact. The module will go on to look at what kind of regulation is needed in banking, and to explore the principles and values that underpin regulation. The module will then look at broader questions about ethics in business. Finally, you’ll investigate what the future holds in terms of ethical issues for banks, in areas such as artificial intelligence and sustainability for example.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to enhance your understanding of professionalism and ethics in this digital age of banking. In studying this module, you will develop your skills in relation to thinking critically about how ethical behaviour can be encouraged in banking, whether through codes of ethics, regulation, or good leadership. You will also explore how ethical demands might change with future developments, such as digital innovations and growing environmental pressures.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Critically reflect on the moral considerations that apply to bankers which derive from the nature of bank products and services, and the ways in which professionalising banking could help ensure those responsibilities are fulfilled.
- 2. Differentiate between a range of theories and approaches to ethical thinking and assess the extent to which these could help resolve ethical dilemmas and ethical arguments.
- 3. Examine the impact on banks, their customers, and their employees, of a range of legislation and regulation on current banking practice and the extent to which it is designed to rebuild trust and confidence in banks.
- 4. Differentiate between several views on the responsibilities of a business and assess key ethical issues and challenges facing the banking sector.
- 5. Critically evaluate, from an ethical perspective the impact, and potential impact, of environmental factors and technological developments on current and future banking practice.
- 6. Critically assess a range of theories relating to the ethics of leadership and corporate governance in banking.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Assess the extent to which employer and professional bodies can help instil ethical values in their employees and members.
- 8. Reflect on the ways in which you might use ethical reasoning to challenge what you perceive to be unethical behaviour at work
- 9. Evaluate key arguments for and against the regulation and de-regulation of the banking sector based on various theories.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas in workplace and industry-specific contexts.
- 11. Demonstrate honesty, transparency, and responsibility in professional actions and communications.
- 12. Apply ethical reasoning and standards when making business, legal, or financial decisions.
Syllabus plan
Indicative topics:
- Banking and professionalism
- Definitions and principles of ethics and morality and ethical theories
- Characteristics of professional behaviour
- Ethical organizational culture and whistleblowing policies
- Frameworks for analysing and resolving ethical dilemmas
- Overview of relevant laws and regulatory frameworks
- Ethical implications of workplace discrimination and bias
- Building and maintaining trust with clients and stakeholders
- Ethical challenges in international and cross-cultural contexts
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 270 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled teaching and learning activity | 30 | Masterclasses (in-person and online) |
| Guided independent study | 270 | Research, reading contents on ELE, assessment preparation and web-based activities including external resources if applicable. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly exercise questions | 10-20 minutes | 1-12 | Online answer feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Analysis/ Individual or group presentation | 50 | Equivalent to 2000-word report or a 15-minute online presentation | 1-12 | Marks and correct answer explained. |
| Coursework assignment | 50 | 3000-word report | 1-12 | Marks and individual feedback (written). |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Analysis/ Individual or group presentation | 50%, Equivalent to 2000-word report or a 15-minute online presentation | 1-12 | In line with university regulations |
| Coursework assignment | 50%, 3000-word written assignment | 1-12 | In line with university regulations |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
?
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Recommended Text:
- Boatright, J. R. (2013). Ethics in finance. John Wiley & Sons.
- Crane, A., Matten, D., Glozer, S., & Spence, L. J. (2019). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford university press.
- Koslowski, P. (2011). The ethics of banking: Conclusions from the financial crisis (Vol. 30). Springer Science & Business Media.
- Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2008). Business ethics: Ethical decision making. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Other resources:
ELE – Web-based and electronic resources will be posted and made available throughout the module.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 14/05/2025 |