BUS3017 : Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to proof of pre-requisite knowledge.
- Module Leader(s): Professor Iain Munro
- Lecturer: Dr Peter Edward, Prof. Cristina Neesham, Dr Irene Chu
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The overall objective of this module is to provide an in-depth ethical reflection on the relationship between business and society as well as an analysis of the management of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices within corporations. The module explores the main theoretical perspectives on business ethics and CSR. It also addresses the debates around the changing role of corporations in relation to sustainability challenges (such as climate change and human rights).
Outline Of Syllabus
The topics covered in this module include:
- Introduction to Business Ethics and CSR
- Theoretical perspectives on Ethics and CSR
- Actors, pressures and issues in Ethics and CSR
- CSR management & communication
- The ethics of branding
- CSR and globalisation
- Whistleblowing and business ethics
- Critics of CSR
- Future perspectives on Ethics and CSR
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 12 | 2:00 | 24:00 | PiP lecture |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 56:00 | 56:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | PiP seminar |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | LIVE online session |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | LIVE online lecture |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures will introduce the theories and approaches related to the relationship between business and society as well as the management of CSR practices. Case studies will be discussed in seminars to develop insight on current issues involved in CSR management. Drop-in sessions will be used to discuss the exam and essay preparation.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 80 | Exam (PIP) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 20 | MCQ online assessment to test the learning outcomes in relation to progress during the semester. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | N/A |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The MCQ online assessment will test the learning outcomes in relation to progress during the semester. The written examination will assess the students’ overall understanding of the module content and their ability to critically analyse key issues in CSR.
RESIT INFORMATION: If students are eligible to a second attempt resit will be an exam and the resit calculation will be based 100% on the completed exam.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BUS3017's Timetable