Business Law and Ethics (Taster Course)
Course Overview
This module is an introductory law module for business learners, which provides an overview of the Irish legal system.
The focus is on Irish law but many aspects of European Law is also highlighted and discussed.
This course focuses on the development of professional skills; while it does not sit on the national framework, the module is drawn from Griffith College’s suite of QQI-validated degree programmes.
Why study Business Law and Ethics at Griffith College?
The is one single module from the BA (Hons) in Business. The primary and central focus of the module is the application of law within business structures after the skills and knowledge have been taught. The focus of this module is to provide learners with a comprehensive overview of the important aspects of law which affect businesses in operation in Ireland and the European Union.
- Discuss the importance of law to the operation of business in Ireland
- Identify, discuss and apply the sources of law, including where relevant EU law
- Explain the nature and structure of the Irish legal system
- Explain the essential aspects of the law of contract and recognise the essential features of the law of negligence
- Explain the basic concepts of insurance and negotiable instruments
Intake Dates
We run online and on campus intakes for this course, commencing as follows:
- Spring: February*
*subject to sufficient numbers
Course Details
Content
- The Sources of Law
- The Court System including the structure of the Irish Court system
- Formation of contract: offer, acceptance, consideration and intention to create legal relations;
- Terms of a contract, exclusions clauses;
- Void, voidable and illegal contracts: understanding the difference;
- Discharge of a contract: performance, breach, agreement and frustration;
- Remedies for breach of contract
- Obligations under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Legislation
- The law of negligence, including negligent misstatement
- Obligations under the Occupier’s Liability Legislation
- Introduction to employment law
- Overview of individual employment legislation
- Employment Equality
- Unfair and Wrongful Dismissal
- The Law of Agency including Commercial Agents
- Forms of business: partnerships, sole traders, private limited companies, public limited companies;
- Directors’ Duties;
- Restriction and disqualification of Directors
- Insolvency: receivership, liquidations, winding up, examinership
- Introduction to EU Law
- Source of EU Law and structures of the EU
- Free movement of workers, goods, and services
- Defining ethics in business
- Arguments for and against business ethics
- Ethics and the law business and social responsibility
- Government regulation
- Utilitarianism: rights and duties
- Justice and fairness
- Virtue ethics
- Common ethical problems - discrimination, bullying and harassment
- Conflicts of interest
- Use and misuse of corporate resources
- Whistle blowing
- Ethical decision-making process
- Moral awareness and moral judgement
- Barriers to good ethical judgement
- The business case for CSR and criticisms
- Stakeholder Theory of the firm
- Corporate citizenship and corporate accountability
- Corporate governance
- Responsibilities of directors
- Corporate governance in the EU
- Codes of best practice
- Managing stakeholders
- Ethics and the consumer (conflicts of interest, product safety, advertising); ethics and employees
- Ethics and shareholders
- Organisational ethics
- Developing, changing and communicating ethics
- Cultural diversity - recognising international differences
- The Multi-National Corporation (MNC)
- UN Global Compact
Timetables
This course is scheduled to commence February 2025 delivered both online using Zoom and on-campus.
Year 2025
- Feb: 05, 12, 19, 26
- Mar: 05, 12, 26
- Apr: 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
Please note: Course dates and times are subject to change. Contact professionalacademy@griffith.ie for further information.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
English Language
If English is not your native language, you must show that your English level is of a suitable standard. For further information please contact a member of the Admissions Team.
Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency. Please see here for further details.
How to Apply
Directly to Griffith College Professional Academy
Applicants under 23 years of age:
Old Leaving Cert (Pre 2017)
Two Honours Level, Grade C3s or above and four Ordinary Level D3s (subjects to include a language, English, Irish or another language) or equivalent exam taken.
New Leaving Cert
2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 grades, to include a language (English, Irish or another language).
Applicants over 23 years of age (Mature students):
If you are 23 years or over from the 1st January of this year, you can apply for this course directly using the College’s online application form.
Fees
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin - Main Campus
€750
Progression
Academic Progression
Further to completion of the Business Law and Ethics module, learners are recommended to continue their studies at Griffith College by applying for our Diploma in Business Management, Diploma in Human Resource Management or the BA (Hons) in Business Studies course.
