LAW 25 Ethics and Leadership

Units: 3
Hours: 54 hours LEC
Grade Options: Letter Grade
Term Typically Offered: Every spring term
This course is an in-depth analysis of ethics and leadership within the legal system and various related governmental and public service organizations. Course topics include the history, philosophy, theories, and evolution of leadership, ethics, and professional standards and their impact on employees and the individuals and communities they serve. The course emphasizes the critical importance of decision making and discretion within the legal system and the interplay of values, ethics, morals and professional standards. The course provides an introduction to major philosophies, concepts, and theories of ethical decision-making, moral conduct, obligation and permission, justice, leadership, and responsibility, generally and/or in an area of public policy or a profession, with attention to particular works of philosophical, historical, literary, and cultural importance. Course topics include philosophical and theoretical points of view of leadership and ethics focusing on core concepts and methods of ethical reasoning and the role of leadership and ethics in society, including problems and issues examined in their contemporary, historical, and geographical settings, such as the examination of public policy, law, and codes of conduct in specific fields. This course examines the theories of leadership within various institutions, the supervision and leadership interconnections with ethics and professional standards within organizations, the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership, the reality of obstacles and challenges faced by employees, and the legal and civil ramifications of leadership and professional conduct and standards within legal and public organizations. The course also investigates recent negative national trends and aberrational incidents in various agencies and studies what the future holds for these organizations. The course is designed to help the student to develop an awareness of the ways in which people respond to ethical dilemmas, to appreciate various theories of relevance to leadership and ethics, and to help the student develop an ability to make value judgments and to understand and engage in leadership, ethical reasoning, and associated theorization. (UC, CSU, C-ID LPPS 120)