TOPIC 1

COURSE CODE: UE00202: COURSE TITLE: WORK ETHICS FOR PROFESSIONALS

CENTRE FOR THE PROMOTION OF KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE LEARNING,

UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA SABAH

Synopsis
This course will introduce the basic and practical

concepts pertaining to the body of knowledge known as work ethics for professionals. This course would also discussed all topics relevant to the professional working scenario such as the universal ethics principles, professional ethics, ethical aspects from main religious viewpoints, the discussion and the evaluation of ethics in the face of selected issues, and examinations of the relationships between scientists, ethics and humanity.

Course Objectives
To promote awareness amongst students as regards

the role and important of ethics in the professional field; To highlight the duty of the professional and to practice professional behavior according to the ethical and moral guidelines which can be found in the professional code of ethics; To identify recent ethical issues and to dissect and resolve the issues in a realistic manner within the context of Malaysian values.

Course Assessments

Group Assignment/Discussions/Quizzes
Mid-Term Test Final Test

40% 30% 30%

References
Cooper, D. E. (2004). Ethics for Professionals in a Multicultural World. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Mohd. Janib Johari (2001). Etika Profesional. Skudai, Johor: Penerbit UTM. Oakley, J. & Cocking, D. (2001). Virtue Ethics and Professional Roles. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Rowan, J., & Zinaich, JR., S. (2003). Ethics for the Professionals. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

Tentative
Week/ Topic Topics Contac t Hours

1/1 2/2 3/3 4/4 5/5 6/6 7/8/1-5 9/7 10/8 11/9 12/10 13/11

Introduction to the course; Preliminary discussion about ethics Ethical concept in general; The nature of ethics Ethical theories and its applications Scope and the study of professional ethics The professionals; Professionals social responsibilities Values in professional ethics; Professionals rights Mid-term break Mid-term Test (Topic 1 5)
The commitment of professionals in terms of honesty, intellectual activities, trustworthy, moral leadership, integrity, consideration, respect for self, and sense for responsibility; loyalty

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Professional-client relations; Ethical aspects from the viewpoint of the worlds major religion (Islam, Christian, Buddhism, Hinduism)
Discussion on the relationship between professionals ethics and several areas of scientific research such as an organ transplantation, human reproductively technology, environmental issues, etc. (Submission of Group Assignment) Discussion on a specific professionals work ethics (business and the professionals, engineering, and health care) Discussion on a specific professionals work ethics (counseling, law, journalism, and education)

14/1-11
15/6-11

Revision

2
2

Final Test (Topic 1 11)

Group Formation
You are required to form a group of your own for the

group assignment. Each group would consists of four (4) to five (5) member. The group with multi-racial membership would be given an advantage. Each group must have their own leader who will responsible to manage his/her group according to the group needs.

Group Assignment (40%) Due Date: week 11

(marks will be deducted for any delay/no latency)

Each group is required to conduct a simple research (case study) on the

applicability of theories of ethics (e.g. Deontology theory, utilitarian theory, etc) in the daily work of professionals in Malaysia. Each group needs to choose only one (1) professional (e.g. Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, Architecture, Lecturer, Scientist, etc) to complete the given task. It is compulsory to register a title of your group assignment on or prior to the next meeting. Once you confirmed the topic, it would unable to be changed. Any changes would not be entertained. Otherwise, no mark would be given for your group.

Format
The group assignment must contain the following aspects:

1.0. Introduction 2.0 Objectives 3.0 Methodology 4.0. Findings 5.0. Recommendations 6.0. Conclusion References - Not less than 15 pages exclude references and other additional information. - Font: Arial (Single Space).

What is morality and ethic?

There is a different between the term morality and ethics as follow: Morality = the right or wrong (or otherwise) of an action, a way of life or a decision. E.g. Ali, a policeman was wrong (guilty) if he was arresting a person without reason, but he considered doing the right thing when he arrested a person identified as being guilty of doing harm to the local community. Ethics = the study of such standards as we use or propose to judge such things / a set of moral principles. E.g. ethics for professionals (a study of such standard use to judge professionals membership attitudes and behavior.

What is ethical issues?

A problem or situation that requires a person or

organization to choose between alternatives that must be evaluated as right (ethical) or wrong (unethical). Many of us believes that ethical issues involves right and wrong or what is considered as good, and what is considered as evil in a society. E.g: misuse of power, corruption, deception, whistleblowing, plagiarism, sexual harassment, sexual relationship with client, disloyalty, discrimination, etc.

Examples of Ethical Issues

(Modified based on : Mohd. Janib Johari, 2001)

Issue 1 A young doctor was approached by a young pregnant mothers of 3 months. A healthy woman is not married and has promised a very good wage for the purpose of seeking abortion to the young doctor.

Should this young doctor to perform the request of the woman?

Issue 2
A young civil engineer was forced by a contractor to

provide certificate of approval to occupy the premises (OC) for the completed school building. After an inspection, the engineer found many of the specifications are not met and may cause problems in terms of future security. The contractor is the nephew of the engineer.
Should the engineer compromise to give approval?

Issue 3
A residential architecture company is facing financial

problems due to lack of receiving a large value of contract. Suddenly a sewerage company has offered a substantial contract to design sewage disposal systems in a residential area.
Do architects in the company is receiving the

contract?

Issue 4
A law firm is handling the case of two clients in

different places and the court, and operated by a different group of lawyers. In a case A, they will argue based on a legal provision. While in case B, they will argue against the same legal provisions. This phenomenon is emerge because the existence of a conflict of interest between the two client.
Should law firm represent both clients?

Issue 5
A professor of computer science at a university XYZ

was contacted by a governments safety agency to build the way to access the another computer with unknown access password codes. It involved the research ethics.
Should the professor is receiving the task?

Issue 6
A family doctor found that the father of a family is

suffering from venereal disease. The patient asks the doctor to keep it from his family as this will damage the marriage. This case also involves the problem of obligation to others.
Should the doctor advice all the family members to

do a sexually transmitted illness test when it involving a professional obligation to its customers?

Verse to think about

Being a professional is very horrible, painful or pleasant?

What do you think?