GY326      Half Unit
Sustainable Business and Finance

This information is for the 2019/20 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Richard Perkins STC.413

Availability

This course is available on the BA in Geography, BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Environment and Development, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics and BSc in Geography with Economics. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course is available to General Course students.

Course content

This course seeks to explore and critically interrogate the governance of environmental sustainability by corporate and financial actors - commonly framed in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable and responsible investment (SRI), respectively. Drawing on a range of theoretical ideas, the emphasis of the course is on providing students with an understanding of the motives, practices and outcomes of market actors’ growing involvement in sustainability. Topics covered include strategic CSR, self-regulation, evolution of SRI, ESG (environment, social and governance) ratings, green bonds and greenwashing.

Teaching

18 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the MT.

Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce a formative issue brief in the Michaelmas Term.

Indicative reading

Rasche, A., Morsing, M. and Moon, J. (eds) (2018). Corporate Social Responsibility: Strategy, Communication. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

Assessment

Assignment (85%) and class participation (15%) in the MT.

The assignment will be an issue brief with critical reflection (3500 words).

Key facts

Department: Geography & Environment

Total students 2018/19: 63

Average class size 2018/19: 16

Capped 2018/19: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication