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There are 4 modules in this course
The course examines the common perceptions of business (both positive and negative) and the role of business in a market economy by first introducing the main elements of a market economy, and then presenting opposing points of view of this economic model.The course encourages reflection upon the possibility that business can be honorable and play a role in a just and humane society.
Many people are suspicious of business. Should they be? Can business be honorable? Is business required to “give back” to society?
These are some of the questions you’ll consider during this first week of the course. I will introduce you to common perceptions of business (negative and positive) and encourage you to reflect upon the possibility that business can be honorable and play a role in a just and humane society.
What's included
7 videos22 readings6 assignments
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 58 minutes
Welcome to the Course!•4 minutes
Justice in a Commercial Society?•10 minutes
Adam Smith on Justice and Beneficence•9 minutes
Adam Smith's Explanation of the Wealth of Nations (Part 1)•11 minutes
Adam Smith’s Explanation of the Wealth of Nations (Part 2)•7 minutes
Pope St. John Paul II on the Nobility of Work•9 minutes
Recap of Justice in a Commercial Society?•8 minutes
22 readings•Total 268 minutes
Welcome•10 minutes
Course Overview & Requirements•2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor•0 minutes
Netiquette•0 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Get help and meet other learners. Join your Community!•5 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
“Market Reformer: An Economist Considers Pope Francis’ Critique of Capitalism”•20 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Optional Resources•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Theory of Moral Sentiments•55 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Wealth of Nations•90 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Laborem Exercens•60 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Week 1 Next Steps•2 minutes
6 assignments•Total 120 minutes
Lesson 1.5•30 minutes
Lesson 1.5 Reflection•30 minutes
Lesson 1.1•15 minutes
Lesson 1.2•15 minutes
Lesson 1.3•20 minutes
Lesson 1.4•10 minutes
Value – Broken Windows and Prices
Module 2•5 hours to complete
Module details
Can everything be priced in a market? Where do prices come from, and what do they do? In this second week of the course, you will examine what prices do, learn about what they are for, and consider whether or not markets can price everything.
What's included
5 videos17 readings4 assignments1 peer review
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 48 minutes
Introduction to Value: Broken Windows and Prices•4 minutes
Bastiat’s What Is Seen and What Is Unseen•13 minutes
Hayek on Rational Economic Order and Prices•12 minutes
Sandel: Can Markets Price Everything?•12 minutes
Recap of Value: Broken Windows and Prices•7 minutes
17 readings•Total 109 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
What Is Seen and What Is Not Seen•40 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Optional Resources•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
“The Use of Knowledge in Society”•7 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Video: What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets•34 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Optional Resources•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Week 2 Next Steps•2 minutes
4 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Lesson 2.5•30 minutes
Lesson 2.2•10 minutes
Lesson 2.3•10 minutes
Lesson 2.4•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Lesson 2.5•60 minutes
Objections to Markets
Module 3•4 hours to complete
Module details
What are the most important worries about or objections to market economies? Can markets be moral? In week 3, you will consider the social responsibilities of business. You will also consider criticisms of markets and arguments for government intervention in the economy.
What's included
5 videos16 readings5 assignments1 peer review
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 44 minutes
Introduction to Objections to Markets•4 minutes
Two Moral Objections from Karl Marx•12 minutes
G. A. Cohen's Camping Trip: A Recent Case for Socialism•11 minutes
Cohen on Luck and Equality of Opportunity•12 minutes
Recap of Objections to Markets and Capitalism•5 minutes
16 readings•Total 68 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Karl Marx’s “Free Human Production”•20 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Why Not Socialism?•20 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Optional Resources•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Optional Resources•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Week 3 Next Steps•2 minutes
5 assignments•Total 70 minutes
Lesson 3.5•30 minutes
Lesson 3.1•10 minutes
Lesson 3.2•10 minutes
Lesson 3.3•10 minutes
Lesson 3.4•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Lesson 3.5•60 minutes
Why Business?
Module 4•6 hours to complete
Module details
Can one be fully moral and at the same time engage in business in a market economy? Can one express one’s moral values and live a virtuous life in business? In Week 4, you will come full circle to address the essential question of the course: Why business? This week, you’ll reflect on the role of business in a just and humane society. You will also consider the role of business from your own perspective, and you will have a chance to examine (question) your own moral obligations as a person engaged in or with business.
What's included
6 videos17 readings5 assignments1 peer review
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 50 minutes
Introduction to Why Business? •3 minutes
Andrew Carnegie on the Duties of Wealth•12 minutes
Milton Friedman on the Social Responsibility of Business•15 minutes
Pope Francis on Economic Exclusion •10 minutes
Recap of Why Business? •9 minutes
Closing•2 minutes
17 readings•Total 171 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
The Gospel of Wealth•50 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•10 minutes
The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profit•30 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Pope Francis’s Evangelii Gaudium •55 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Optional Resources•2 minutes
Introduction•2 minutes
Optional Resources•2 minutes
Optional Learning Activity•2 minutes
Week 4 Next Steps•2 minutes
5 assignments•Total 65 minutes
Lesson 4.5•30 minutes
Lesson 4.1•5 minutes
Lesson 4.2•10 minutes
Lesson 4.3•10 minutes
Lesson 4.4•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 90 minutes
Lesson 4.5•90 minutes
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9.37%
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D
DK
5·
Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024
Re-learned many things I forgot from my undergraduate years. Looking forward to taking the remaining courses!
C
CB
5·
Reviewed on Aug 26, 2025
I absolutely loved this course. It taught me about all the wonderful economist and social justice warriors of our economy, current and older markets, and how they affected out country and still do.
B
BP
5·
Reviewed on Oct 9, 2023
A good and balance look at economics and its ethical considerations.
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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
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