Can the Service Learning Model Help Business Ethics Courses From Being an Oxymoron?

Abstract

Colleges of Business face new challenges in teaching students about Business Ethics. Some laugh off the notion as an oxymoron; they assert that you cannot teach morality, ethics or values. Others look to our nation's universities as the place where ethical behavior should be defined, nurtured and encouraged. Unlike courses offered in religion or philosophy, students and employers want to know how to apply these models and concepts. Exhortations do not suffice. This article defines a successful class project that applies business ethics to organizational realities. Student teams work with a client system to develop a Code of Ethics for the firm. These projects incorporate the established benefits of service learning – students learn while doing, strongly reinforcing classroom lessons. Does this approach make a difference? Results from the accreditation processdocument that it contributes to an increase in student learning.