Face-to-face , first term, 30 hours of theory.

First term
Monday from 08:30 to 10:30 at 43 Botanique 4

French

The main aim of the course is to give a general overview of the core problems in contemporary economic ethics (see below for further details). The course will clarify what ethics is and why it is relevant for reflections on economic issues. The main theories in economic ethics will be studied through key authors (such as John Rawls, Robert Nozick, or Peter Singer) and applied to concrete cases of public policies and individual economic behaviour.

For the Bachelor : Business Engineering :

For the Bachelor in Economics and Management :

None

Each section of the course focuses on a detailed presentation some of the main theories in contemporary economic ethics, to be applied to concrete cases. Among the issues that might be tackled in class:
- Is it fair to tax the most productive workers in order to transfer money to the least productive?
- Have we a moral obligation to give a share of our resources to NGOs in development aid?
- Is an unconditional basic income a promising way to reform our welfare state?
These questions might be dealt with within a single theory, but will often require a dialogue between various theories.

The main sections of the course will be as follows (subject to change):
- General introduction
- Utilitarianism
- Meritocracy
- Marxism
- Libertarianism
- Liberal-egalitarianism
- Global justice
- Corporate social responsibility

Important notice: due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the class will probably take the form of an online class in 2020-21.
Lecture with Powerpoint presentation. The active participation of students is most welcome. A course syllabus is made available at the start of the second term. While it contains an outline and brief summaries of the topics covered, much of the theoretical discussion and case study examples will not be included. Attendance at course is therefore strongly recommended.

Furthermore, students are required to read a book (or several articles) in economic ethics. Each year, a new list of readings is selected by the professor, and is part of the material to be studied for the exam.

If possible with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exam will take the form of a written examination (closed book) that will take place in Saint-Louis classrooms (i.e. NOT online). It will include two types of questions:
1) one question on the required readings (book or articles)
2) several questions on the course material itself (theories, authors, historical facts, etc.).

If and only if a written examination in Saint-Louis proves impossible due to the COVID-19 pandemic the exam will take the form of an online test on Moodle. It will include two types of questions:
1) at least one question on the required readings (book or articles)
2) at least one question of reflection on the course material itself (theories, authors, historical facts, etc.).

Students are required to read a book (or several articles) in economic ethics politics. Each year, a new list of readings is selected by the lecturer, and is part of the material to be studied for the exam. References for further reading are included in the syllabus, for information only.