BUSI4S5D1: Sustainability and Ethics (Online)

• To contribute to the overall aims of the programme by developing students' understanding of the impact of sustainability and ethical issues on organisations.
• To explore the concept of global sustainability as it relates to business and other organisations.
• To consider the role and purpose of business and other organisations in relation to other actors in society.
• To review current trends in Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Risk Management and Compliance, and Governance.
• To develop links with the Business School's research strategy by incorporating current research into corporate social responsibility.

• Global ecological and social sustainability and the impact on and responsibilities of organisations
• The role and purpose of business and other organisations
• Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
• Stakeholder theory and alternative approaches to business ethics
• Governance

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of: the parameters for global ecological and social sustainability; Stakeholder Theory and its relation to Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility and Governance.

Subject-specific Skills:

• By the end of the module students should:
• Be competent in accessing and assimilating literatures of an advanced nature in global ecology, sustainability, business ethics, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder theory and governance, and relating them to practice.
• Critically evaluate the requirements of global ecological and social sustainability on business and other organisations
• Critically evaluate the role and purpose of business and other organisations in relation to other actors in society
• Critically evaluate trends in Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Risk Management and Compliance, and Corporate Governance

Key Skills:

• The ability to communicate effectively: communicating complex ideas orally and in writing;
• The ability to think critically and creatively and to argue coherently.

• The module is delivered via online learning, divided up into study weeks with specially produced resources within each week. Resources vary according to the learning outcomes but normally include: video content, directed reading, reflection through activities, opportunities for self-assessment and peer-to-peer learning within a tutor-facilitated discussion board. Tutors provide feedback on formative work and facilitate discussion board communication as well as being available for individual consultation as necessary (usually by email and Skype).
• The summative assessment of the module is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of application and interpretation within the business context.

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