Die Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung von Unternehmen in Theorie und Praxis

This course is a seminar offered in the Bachelor of Social Economics.

The seminar first provides an overview of the essential theoretical foundations of economic and business ethics and establishes practical application references. At the beginning of the seminar, the necessity of dealing with the topic of economic and business ethics is discussed. Subsequently, important theoretical foundations of business and corporate ethics as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR) are presented. In particular, key terms will be defined and a distinction made between individual, corporate and business ethics. Building on this, particular problems of business and corporate ethics in an international context will be explained.

In the further course of the seminar, students will then work independently on current topics and issues of international business and corporate ethics, as well as sustainability management, and discuss them together.

The aim of the seminar is to sensitize students to the difference between theory and practice in business ethics. The seminar participants train their ability to reflect ethically and learn about the challenges associated with applying ethical behavior in companies in practice.

Against this background, the following learning objectives should be achieved:

• Students will gain an insight into the research field of business and corporate ethics and be sensitized to ethical issues in international competition.
  
• Students should be able to apply the content they have learned to specific practical problems and independently reflect on the ethical behavior of companies.

In the two events on Friday, October 20, 2017 from 12:15 - 16:00 and on Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 08:15 - 13:15, general basics of business and corporate ethics will be developed and the topics for the term papers will be presented. Students can express their preferences for the topics at the kick-off event on October 20. In the event on November 4, the topics will be assigned and general information will be provided on the content expectations for a term paper and the formal requirements for writing an academic paper. Your term paper should contain high-quality, scientifically sound explanations of the respective topics, drawing on current and relevant specialist literature.

After November 4, 2017, the writing phase begins, in which students work independently on their topic. After almost three weeks of familiarization, students will have the opportunity to discuss a first draft outline with their supervisor on 24 November.

After the submission of the term paper (04.01.2018), each group that has worked on the same topic will receive brief feedback on further preparation of the group presentation if desired. On the two presentation days, the so-called peer review procedure is used. Each group therefore takes on two additional tasks:

• Expert feedback: each group prepares the content of a presentation group's topic using selected literature and thus becomes an expert on this topic. The expert group gets the first word after the presentation.
  
• Feedback on presentation technique: In addition, each group takes on the task of giving a presentation group brief feedback on their presentation technique.

The criteria and guidelines for this feedback procedure, as well as the literature for the expert groups, will be announced in good time. The tasks will be assigned at the kick-off event.

The following requirements apply for passing the course:

• You must write a term paper and pass it with a grade of at least 4.0.
  The term paper must be 10 pages long.
• You must give an oral presentation during the seminar session (group presentation) and prepare a (PowerPoint) presentation.
• The oral presentation can be in English or German and should last approximately 50 minutes in total (per topic and group).
• After your presentation, you are required to moderate the subsequent discussion (30 minutes) yourself and keep it going.
• Assignments that are not handed in on time are considered failed and cannot be reworked!
• The grade for the course is made up as follows:

Assignment (individual grade): 70% of the overall grade
Presentation (group grade): 30% share of the overall grade