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Module

BUS3017 : Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Iain Munro
  • Lecturer: Dr Cristina Neesham, Dr Irene Chu, Dr Peter Edward
  • 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
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion160:0060:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture122:0024:00PiP lecture
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading156:0056:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching61:006:00PiP seminar
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery21:002:00LIVE online session
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study150:0050:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk21:002:00LIVE online lecture
Total200:00
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 Examination901A80Exam (PIP)
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Computer assessment1M20MCQ 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 exercise1MN/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.

Reading Lists

Timetable