ARBUS 202Professional and Business Ethics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Arts and Business
- Cross-listed
- PHIL 215
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 5 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course is an introduction to professional and business ethics. Ethics, broadly speaking, is the branch of philosophy that seeks to analyze principles of conduct that govern human activity. We are (in part) economic agents who trade with each other in the hopes of making ourselves better off, and insofar as our actions affect the well-being of others, what we do falls under the purview of ethics. Students will explore ethical issues and principles of conduct that are relevant to professionals and business people. Students will learn about professional responsibility, and will develop skills in ethical decision-making by applying ethical theories, concepts, and arguments to business contexts.
Prerequisites
- Enrolled in Arts & Business
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3812 | 8 / 20 | TTh 14:30–15:50 |
| LEC 081 | 3613 | 20 / 20 | Online or by arrangement |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3200 | 0 / 100 | MW 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 002 | 3274 | 0 / 100 | TTh 11:30–12:50 |
| LEC 003 | 3610 | 0 / 140 | TTh 14:30–15:50 |
| LEC 701 | 1209 | 272 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 702 | 1385 | 2 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
61% liked it85% easy38% useful
From 131 ratings and 24 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This course is a socialist's wet dream, endorsing the leftist agenda of "give me more for less". The professor legitimizes the wage gap MYTH (switch your major from 'gender studies' [aka. Regressive Feminism 101] to engineering, then you might not be paid so little?), and tries to engrain a sense that everyone is entitled to being given equal profits by slating wealthy people that have earned their money and stating that people that didn't get an education and work at McDonalds deserve the same amount of money as an accountant / people (of all genders and races) that have worked hard to get to where they are. Don't get me started on "the patriarchy" (sorry girls / white knights, it doesn't…
Jan 2016 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Straight forward stuff. If your not a criminal or a sociopath you likely already know most of the material.
Mar 2015 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This class was horrible. Not in the sense that it was hard, but that it was so boring and poorly organized. Lectures were useless slideshows that were mainly unrelated to material present on assessments, and class attendance decreased from like 200 students to 30 by midterms. I personally did not attend lectures, simply read the textbook, and did extremely well in the course. Don't take for an elective; it's an extremely boring class!
May 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
My professor was Craig Beam, this course does not require you to gobo class but does require 40% effort. It's boring and my class initially had 200 students who went on the first day after a month there was maybe 30. The final project was easy but had no rubric. The lecture notes are just notes posted in learn, no slideshow just words. When I asked about the final I had to email 8 TAs and 2 profs none of which answered my questions. I was completely in the dark and so were others in this course. This is the laziest department ever. I had to do accounting for Arbus which was more interesting than this. I hate this course and if you’re in Arbus too it’ll be fine but if you want to take this…
Apr 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Hated this course. So boring and the lectures were confusing. Your best bet is the textbook which you can borrow at DP. Seemed like the profs were a bit confused and were figuring it out as they went. Not engaging at all. You will be distracted and zoned out.
May 2023 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
35 posts and comments in 31 threads mention ARBUS 202, March 2012 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2023
Anyone else currently taking ARBUS202/PHIL215 Online 1 point, 0 comments
u/ShamefullyEmmy: “Im just looking for other people taking the course to share and compare notes with This class is such a struggle to get through and I could use a good study group”
Does anyone know what ARBUS 202 is like in person? 1 point, 0 comments
u/Witty_Train3688: “Im in the online class it doesnt seem bad (2 case study’s, take home midterm/final exam) but im thinking abt taking it in person instead because im already in 2 additional online courses. the in person class is with Matthew Silk”
Studying for ARBUS202/PHIL215 Online 1 point, 1 comment
u/ShamefullyEmmy: “Is it really necessary to try and commit definitions and concepts to memory? Midterm and Exam are take home and you have several days to complete it... And I am not so sure how the Case Study Assignments are going to be. …”
Fall 2022
PHIL 215/ARBUS 202 1 point, 0 comments
Winter 2022
Hey! Need help deciding/guidance on whether it would be reasonable to add another course for the winter term and which course I should add if so? 0 points, 1 comment
[deleted]: “Currently taking -Econ 101 -Phil 215/arbus202 -arbus 102/afm 123 -Psych 101 I know lots of u prolly will be like that’s light bird courses and but I also wanna work next sem so if I’m not sure if I add a course it’ll get too heavy, and I’m not even sure which course I’d add?”
Anyone have the PDF version for andres et al, with a clear conscience for Phil 215/arbus 202?? 1 point, 0 comments
If anyone is taking econ 101 or Phil 215 or arbus 102 or 202 this winter term? If so, could you comment or PM me? 0 points, 3 comments
Spring 2021
ARBUS 202/PHIL 215 Textbook 0 points, 0 comments
ARBUS 302 and ARBUS 202 textbook? 1 point, 0 comments
Winter 2021
Textbooks for Arbus 202, bet100, & bet210 1 point, 0 comments
Picking a major in honours arts & business 0 points, 13 comments
“I just want some clarification. If I choose to do arbus, I choose my major after first year. It says arbus is 4 years, so does that mean I study my major for 3 years or the 4 years start when I get …”
u/triviahobii: “You'll be finished arbus majoring in pysch in 4 years. Pysch major is 16 courses, arbus is 14 courses, together that is 30 courses. You need 40 courses to graduate. …”
u/triviahobii: “… 101 ARTS 130 or 140 2nd prospective major Second Term: Winter PSYCH (from list) ARBUS 102 ARBUS 202 ARTS 130 or 140 (the one you didn't already take) 2nd prospective major You can use the 2nd prospective major as an opportunity to explore a subject you're interested in, might …”
Fall 2020
ARBUS 202 1 point, 3 comments
u/ilovecandy8: “Does anyone have the arbus 202 online textbook pdf for with a clear conscience?”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
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- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
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