AFM1052 : Sustainability and Ethics
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr David Ririmasse
- 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: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To provide students with an understanding of the fundamentals of sustainability and ethics and how they are relevant to the work of the professional accountant.
Outline Of Syllabus
Concepts and significance of sustainability
Pillars of sustainability
Regulation on sustainability
Sustainability in business
The role of the professional accountant in sustainability
Concept of ethics and its significance for the accounting profession
Ethics and public trust
Fundamental ethical principles
Threats and safeguards
Data ethics and the impact of technology
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 12 | 2:00 | 24:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 80 | 1:00 | 80:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 4 | 1:30 | 6:00 | with PwC |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 81 | 1:00 | 81:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | PwC online office networking event |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lecture materials will be used to introduce and develop material. Professional skills will be demonstrated through the preparation of a group presentation which will comprise 25% of the assessment of the module. Specific guidance on the development of relevant skills will be given to students across all teaching.
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 | 2 | A | 80 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 2 | M | 20 | n/a |
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 | Q and A and review of written exercise in class |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Q and A and review of written exercise in class |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The module introduces sustainability and ethics. The module will allow students to consider the interdependence of the economic value of the planet and that resources are finite. It will also explore the ways in which business can harm the planet, but also be a force for positive action.
It also has a skills element contributing to the development of skills relevant to professional practice and helping to prepare students for the professional placements in stages two to four. These two elements form the basis of the assessment. Knowledge, understanding and application of concepts and principles will be assessed in the exam. The development of relevant skills will be assessed in a group presentation. The report and presentation topic will require students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant subject material.
• 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/
- AFM1052's Timetable