Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Term I assignment

Assessment

Coursework (15% of overall mark):

Write a 3000 word essay on:

Fifty years ago, Milton Friedman wrote his influential article ‘The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits’. Drawing on the ethical theories you have learnt on the course, discuss whether Friedman’s article should still be used as a guide for managers.

Deadline for Coursework submission as per the BLE

All assessments to be submitted and marked as electronic copies via BLE Turnitin submission points.

Marking Criteria

80+ (First Class)

A mark of 80+ will fulfil the following criteria:

shows clear evidence of wide and relevant reading and an engagement with the conceptual issues;
develops a sophisticated and intelligent argument;
shows a rigorous use and a confident understanding of relevant source materials;
achieves an appropriate balance between factual detail and key theoretical issues;
provides evidence of original thinking.

70-79 (First Class)

A mark in the range 70-79 will fulfil the following criteria:

engages closely with the question;
shows some evidence of wide and relevant reading and an engagement with the conceptual issues;
shows some sophistication of argument;
shows an intelligent use and a good understanding of relevant source materials.

60-69 (Upper Second Class – II(i))

A mark in the range 60-69 will fulfil the following criteria:

offers critical insights and shows evidence of critical thinking;
shows a good understanding of the major factual and/or theoretical issues, and addresses the relevant literature on the topic;
develops a focused and clear argument and articulates a sustained train of logical thought;
gives a clear exposition of models/diagrams, with derivation, where appropriate;
shows clear evidence of planning in the formulation of the written answer and includes a judicious choice of sources and methodology.

50-59 (Lower Second Class – II(ii))

A mark in the range 50-59 will fulfil the following criteria:

shows some understanding of relevant major theoretical and/or factual issues;
shows evidence of planning in the formulation of the written answer, makes selective use of appropriate sources, and demonstrates some knowledge of the literature;
shows, at various points if not throughout the entire text, examples of a clear train of thought or argument;
presents basic models / diagrams, where appropriate;
provides an appropriate conclusion to the textual argument(s).

40-49 (Third Class)

A mark in the range 40-49 will fulfil the following criteria:

shows some awareness and understanding of the factual and/or theoretical issues, but demonstrates limited ability to develop these;
provides clear evidence of misunderstandings;
shows some, albeit limited, evidence of planning in the formulation of the written answer, but also includes material or arguments which are irrelevant or unrelated to the question;
fails to develop a clear or coherent response to the question, but shows occasional knowledge or insight.

20-39 (Fail)

A Fail will be awarded in cases which:

fail to answer the question or develop an argument;
fail to demonstrate knowledge of the key issues or arguments;
contain clear conceptual or factual errors or misunderstandings;
are poorly organised and/or poorly written.

0-19 (Fail)

A Fail will be awarded in cases which:

fail to answer the question even in part;
show no knowledge of the question or topic;
contain blatant conceptual or factual errors;
are very poorly organised and/or very poorly written.