BUSINESS STUDIES

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr B Davies

Pre-requisites

None.

Notes

This course cannot be taken by students who are taking a Business School course as part of their curriculum (this includes courses with an AC/EC/MS/PO/BU code).

Overview

Business and Sustainability examines business within the context of concerns from local to global scales related to the environmental and social effects of business activities, moving beyond single bottom line analysis to consider the role of sustainable business, and addressing a range of public policy concerns. The course will consider business performance, environmental externalities, resource scarcity, social and societal influences, and auditing issues related to the theme of sustainability.

The course therefore considers business performance from a triple bottom line perspective ? examining the economic, environmental and social aspects of the conduct and performances of businesses. It will cover key aspects of public policy debates in environmental management and social justice, and develop an awareness of resource scarcity, sustainable development, green innovation, and the role of business in a world development context.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, 1 one-hour tutorial every two weeks.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (70%); continuous assessment (30%) consisting of a piece of written work examining a sustainable company (2,000 words).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Students will work in small groups on a business sustainability assessment, with a formal group presentation in tutorial classes.

Assessment tasks related to sustainability will be set throughout the course, requiring individual and group report back at tutorials, in written and verbal formats.

Feedback

Oral feedback and an evaluation form will be given on group tutorial presentations. Verbal feedback will be given during tutorial discussions throughout the course.

Written feedback will be given on summative coursework, and on written components of formative assessment when appropriate.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr B B Davies

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

This course cannot be taken by students who are taking a Business School course as part of their curriculum (this includes courses with an AC/EC/MS/PO/BU code).

Overview

Business Ethics considers the ethical choices facing business, both at the level of individual business management and in relation to the role of business in society more widely. The course will explore alternative justifications for ethical judgement based on competing moral theories, and apply these to specific issues and contexts that arise particularly in business situations. The emphasis is on a reasoned, critical exploration of the relationship between business and the wider philosophical concerns of justice, fairness, rights, responsibilities, duties and personal choice.

The course considers debates surrounding corporate social responsibility, shareholders and stakeholders, corporate governance, civil society, human resources and human rights. The scope of ethical consideration under study extends from internal management concerns to local business community engagement and through to global perspectives on development and economic progress. The nature of ethical choices that arise throughout this range of interests will be explored, with a particular focus on the role of business and business behaviours in social and environmental contexts.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, 1 one-hour tutorial every two weeks.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (70%); continuous assessment (30%) consisting of a piece of written work exploring an ethical challenge in business of 2,000 words in length.

1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Students will work in small groups on an ethical dilemma in business, with a formal group presentation in tutorial classes.

Assessment tasks related to ethical dilemmas will be set throughout the course, requiring individual and group report back at tutorials, in written and verbal formats.

Feedback

Oral feedback and an evaluation form will be given on group tutorial presentations. Verbal feedback will be given during tutorial discussions throughout the course.