This module will explore the links between social and economic sustainability issues and business practice. A connection will be made to materiality and sustainability indicators in a business context. Crucially, the module will also feature the importance of systems thinking to address sustainability issues. A case study approach will allow students to explore in depth a specific key social and/or economic sustainability issue each week. Students will learn about the fundamental principles which underlie each sustainability issue. Students will undertake advanced research for problem-based learning sessions in which they will critically explore topics such as the business ethics, minimum wage, diversity/ inclusivity, gender equality, how business can be done in a way which benefits society and protects people, and how economic growth can be decoupled from environmental degradation. Through joint problem-based learning discussions with the cohort in the partner institution (York or Maastricht), students will gain an international perspective on social and economic sustainability issues, the role of business as their creator and source of solutions and rivers for change including policy, citizen action.
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2023-24 to Semester 2 2023-24 |
The aim of this module is to equip students with an appreciation of the fundamental principles which underlie key social and economic sustainability problems, and how changes to business practice and innovations can provide solutions.
Skills:
Undertake advanced research on social and economic sustainability issues and their links to business practice to prepare for problem-based learning sessions and preparation of the essay assessment;
Analyse complex sustainability problems
Online, international collaboration
Students who complete this module successfully will be able to:
Critically discuss and undertake advanced research to establish the fundamental principles which underlie key social and economic sustainability issues;
Evaluate and establish the drivers for change to business practice and innovation to solve social and economic sustainability issues;
Analyse complex social and economic sustainability issues and critically assess the role of business in creating and solving associated problems;
Discuss and debate social and economic sustainability issues in an international setting.
The module is taught over seven weeks. The timetable for the module will include a one hour weekly lecture, and a mix of face-to-face PBL sessions with the home cohort and online PBL sessions with students in the partner institution (York or Maastricht). All sessions within a given week will focus on exploring one key environmental sustainability issue.
Lectures: 8 hours
Seminars: 14 hours
Assessment: Essay (80%), participation and contribution (20%)
Private Study: 128 hours
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Coursework - extensions not feasible/practicable PBL Participation and contribution |
N/A | 20 |
Essay/coursework Essay Social & economic Sustainability |
N/A | 80 |
Non-compensatable
Formative work:
Formative essay plan.
Summative assessment:
Essay (80%)
Participation and contribution (20%); based on seminar input. This includes evaluation of weekly team presentations summarising PBL research and findings and individual weekly reflective summaries of each PBL topic.
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Coursework - extensions not feasible/practicable PBL Participation and contribution |
N/A | 20 |
Essay/coursework Essay Social & economic Sustainability |
N/A | 80 |
Formative verbal feedback on presentational style and content will be provided in weekly PBL seminars. Summative feedback will be provided on written feedback sheets.
Caradonna, J. L. (ed.) 2017. Routledge Handbook of the History of Sustainability. London: Taylor and Francis.
D'heur, M. 2015. Sustainable Value Chain Management: Delivering Sustainability Through the Core Business. Springer International Publishing.
Ekins, P. 2002. Economic Growth and environmental sustainability: the prospects of green growth. London: Taylor & Francis Group.
Porritt, J. 2005. Capitalism as if the World Matters. London: Taylor & Francis Group. Chapters 1 and 4.
Smith, J. 2016. Imperialism in the Twenty-First Century: Globalization, Super-Exploitation, and Capitalism’s Final Crisis. New York: Monthly Review Press.