TOPIC 1

COURSE CODE: UE00202:

COURSE TITLE: WORK ETHICS FOR
PROFESSIONALS
PROF. MADYA DR. NIZAITA OMAR
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

Introduction to the course; Preliminary discussion about ethics

2/2

Ethical concept in general; The nature of ethics

3/3

Ethical theories and its applications

4/4

Scope and the study of professional ethics

5/5

The professionals; Professionals social responsibilities

6/6

Values in professional ethics; Professionals rights

7/-

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

10/8

Professional-client relations; Ethical aspects from the viewpoint of the worlds major
religion (Islam, Christian, Buddhism, Hinduism)

11/9

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)

12/10

Discussion on a specific professionals work ethics (business and the professionals, engineering, and
health care)

13/11

Discussion on a specific professionals work ethics (counseling, law, journalism, and education)

14/1-11

Revision

15/6-11

Final Test (Topic 1 11)

8/1-5
9/7

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?