Bachelor's degree in Business Adminstration or equivalent.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:
Identify and critically discuss global contemporary challenges in business and society, this includes knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and an understanding of how these relate to business operations
Analyse the role of capitalism, both the benefits capitalism has brought humanity, and the costs
Discuss the purpose of the corporation, including social responsibility, and ethical implications of sustainability challenges
Analyse how the emergence of new business models in the economy are related to issues of resource scarcity, circular economy and environmental regulation
Know how to apply theories of sustainability, circular economy and sustainable business models to business practise
Course contents
We start this course by describing the major challenges in society today, including the degradation of the earth’s ecosystem and the increasing threat of climate change. The introductory part of the course ends with an in-depth discussion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Then we ask the question: How did we end up here? We trace the historical roots of capitalism and provide the students with the knowledge to better understand current sustainability challenges in economics and business. Going forward, how can businesses be a force for good? What is the moral responsibility of business, and how can businesses develop sustainable business models?
Teaching methods
To help the students to master the material there will be a mix of lectures, discussions, and individual and group work. Estimated workload is 210 hours.
Examination requirements
The students must pass written and/or oral assignment(s). More information will be provided in Canvas at the start of the semester.
Assessment methods and criteria
The final grade in the course is based on a 4-hour individually written examination under supervision (school examination). Grading by letters (A - F).
Due to grade requirements for state authorised auditors, a regular examination will be held both autumn and spring.
Evaluation
The person responsible for the course, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.