Rationale

Philosophical and social scientific ethics theories have become integral components of postgraduate education across various disciplines. Public Administration students are tasked with examining ethical considerations stemming from public administration practices and individuals' ethical judgments, engaging in critical analysis to enhance public sector ethics.
This course aims to instil a deep understanding of ethical principles and dilemmas in the context of governance. By exploring theoretical frameworks and real-world case studies, students develop the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate complex ethical challenges encountered in public sector roles and uphold integrity and accountability in decision-making processes.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course students will be expected to:

(i)    Analyse the different philosophical theories of ethics such as deontology, utilitarianism and virtue ethics.
(ii)   Explain how to apply philosophical theories of ethics to moral issues.
(iii)  Compare the different ethical issues that the practice of public administration raises such as dirty hands, conflicts of values, conflicts of interest, accountability and politicisation and bureaucracy and morality.
(iv)  Explain why organisational politics exist, how they manifest and their consequences for organisations.
(v)   Analyse various social scientific theories of morality, how people arrive at moral judgements and how policy disputes reflect different types of morality.
(vi)  Investigate the different ways in which public sector ethics can be improved.
(vii) Apply ethically informed decision-making skills using the knowledge acquired in this course.