Ethics for Nonprofit-Organisations

Faculty

Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences

Version

Version 1 of 29.11.2023.

Module identifier

22M1106

Module level

Master

Language of instruction

English

ECTS credit points and grading

5.0

Module frequency

only summerterm

Duration

1 semester

 

 

Brief description

Students learn to identify, classify, and reflect on ethically difficult action situations on the basis of ethical conceptions. They learn to recognize ethical challenges in various contexts of non-profit organizations, and discuss potential solutions.

The module teaches basic principles that can be used to guide students’ action concepts in other modules. Students also have the opportunity to explore content from other modules in terms of their ethical dimension.

Teaching and learning outcomes

  1. Ethical decision models / moral philosophy
  2. Principles of social ethics
  3. Ethical challenges in the management of nonprofit organisations

Overall workload

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning
Hours of workloadType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
28LecturePresence-
14SeminarPresence-
3Learning in groups / Coaching of groupsPresence-
Lecturer independent learning
Hours of workloadType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
14Work in small groups-
35Creation of examinations-
28Study of literature-
28Preparation/follow-up for course work-
Graded examination
  • Homework / Assignment or
  • Written examination or
  • Portfolio exam
Remark on the assessment methods

The portfolio exam is worth 100 points and consists of a presentation (50 points) and a written work sample (50 points).

Exam duration and scope

Portfolio exam: a 15-minute presentation and a 3-page written work sample 

Written assignment: approx. 2500 words

Written exam: see applicable study regulations

The requirements are specified in the relevant class.

Recommended prior knowledge

none

Knowledge Broadening

Students who have successfully completed this module are familiar with the basic principles of ethics, and are able to reflect on actions of nonprofit organisations on the basis of these principles. They can incorporate the value-based self-image of nonprofit organisations into professional decision-making processes.

Knowledge deepening

Students have critically examined specific ethical challenges in the management of nonprofit organisations.

Knowledge Understanding

Students who have successfully completed this module are familiar with different types of argumentation in normative ethics, and are able to position themselves critically in relation to them.

Application and Transfer

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to identify ethical issues and use their specialist knowledge, based on ethical principles, to justify courses of action.

Academic Innovation

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to recognize the ethical implications of social change and technological transformation for the management of nonprofit organisations.

Communication and Cooperation

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to adequately discuss the ethical dimension of professional decisions with their colleagues.

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to formulate basic options for their professional actions as well as represent them in public discourse.

Literature

Ach, J.S. / Bayertz, K. / Siep, L. (Hg): Grundkurs Ethik. 2 Bde, Paderborn (mentis) 2016 u. 2011

Anzenbacher, A.: Einführung in die Ethik, Düsseldorf (Patmos) 2011

Bell, D.A. / Coicaud, J.-M. (Ed.), Ethics in Action. The Ethical Challenges of International Human Rights Nongovernmental Organizations, Cambridge (Cambridge University Press) 2007

Birnbacher, D.: Analytische Einführung in die Ethik, Berlin (De Gruyter) 2013

Düwell, M. / Hübenthal, C. / Werner, M.H. (Hg.), Handbuch Ethik, Stuttgart – Weimar (Metzler) 2011 

Gensler, H., Ethics. A Contemporary Introduction, Ney York - London (Routledge) 2018

Haspel, M.: Sozialethik in der globalen Gesellschaft, Stuttgart (Kohlhammer) 2011

Heimbach-Steins, M. (Hg): Christliche Sozialethik. Ein Lehrbuch. 2 Bde., Regensburg (Pustet) 2004 u. 2005

Ricken, F.: Allgemeine Ethik, Stuttgart (Kohlhammer) 2012

Linkage to other modules

The module teaches basic principles that can be used to guide students’ action concepts in other modules. Students also have the opportunity to explore content from other modules in terms of their ethical dimension.

Applicability in study programs

  • Management in Nonprofit-Organisations
    • Management in Nonprofit-Organisations M.A. (01.09.2024)

    Person responsible for the module
    • Kuhnke, Ulrich
    Teachers
    • Kuhnke, Ulrich