2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1390 Introduction to Business, Environment and Corporate Responsibility

20 creditsClass Size: 120

Module manager: Dr Rebecca St Clair
Email: R.StClair@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

In this module you will learn about the responsibilities of business to wider society and the natural environment. Which stakeholders such as pressure groups, consumers, investors, regulators and workers have the most influence over changing company practice for the better? How do businesses make positive changes and how are sustainable outcomes reported? In this module you will learn about relevant academic theories and concepts that will help you to critically navigate these issues. An essential module for future business managers or concerned consumers. This module is open to all those interested no matter the background.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to introduce students to core debates and practices in corporate social responsibility and sustainability in business. Students will learn about some of the social, environmental and ethical issues facing organisations. They will learn how to identify groups of stakeholders and their influence over business, and how businesses respond. Students will also learn how to explore and characterise business strategies and gain an understanding of supply chains, sustainability reporting and business accountability measures. Throughout the module, students will learn to apply key academic concepts and theories to understand these issues.

The learning activities are a mixture of lectures and smaller group teaching in the form of workshops in which students will deepen their learning through a series of participatory and interactive activities.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

1. Have a general understanding of the concepts and theories of sustainability and business, and the responsibilities of business.
2. Be able to appreciate the sustainability impacts of companies and how they respond to these in their operations.
3. Have an understanding of stakeholder pressures on business and how businesses monitor and report on their performance.
4. Have a general understanding of business approaches to sustainable business strategies and corporate responsibility. 5. Have knowledge of some current of the actions existing businesses are taking to improve their sustainability.

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

1. Applying knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems;
2. Gaining academic writing skills by communicating clearly articulated and evidence-based arguments in written form;
3. Developing skills in searching for, evaluating and using information to strengthen the quality of their academic work and independent research;
4. Thinking critically by reflecting on the accuracy of the information presented and using evidence-based decision making to build arguments and develop a position within the sustainability discourse.
5. Building commercial awareness through an understanding of how companies successfully embed sustainability into their business strategies.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Seminar	6	1.50	9.00
Private study hours			169.00
Total Contact hours			31.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students receive formative feedback through their participation in seminars, both from staff and in discussion with peers.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Reflective essay on workshop content and activities	20.00
Assignment	Critical Essay	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/10/2024

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