Professional Ethics

Description

This course will examine the roles and responsibilities of professionals, as well as ethical challenges they face. These challenges often involve balancing self-interest, clients’ interests, and the public good. At times they involve weighing clients’ interests and clients’ wishes (and their autonomy.) They may also involve efforts to resolve conflicts between the professional’s personal moral beliefs and their perceived duties as professionals. Challenges and issues will be explored through consideration of debates within specific fields (such as accounting, medicine, engineering, journalism and law) - often with relevance across professions. Controversies will also be investigated through study of general discussions of common concerns. Ethical concepts and outlooks will provide assistance in facing the challenges.