School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
MN30436 Contemporary issues in business and society |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW 30%, EX 70% |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take MN10006 or take MN10079 or take MN20026 |
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Aims: This course aims to engage students with contemporary issues related to the relation between business and society in a global perspective. Students will be asked to critically assess policy choices adopted by business sector, such as voluntary codes and corporate social responsibility practices. The course will also deal with the role of government as a regulator of business.
Learning Outcomes: This course should enable students to engage with contemporary social issues related to global business, and gain an appreciation of these issues from the perspective of managers, government, and citizens or consumers. Students should gain greater appreciation of key types of economic and ecological externalities created by business activity, as well as the broader influence of business on social and cultural patterns. Upon completing the course, students should be able to critically evaluate different ethical choices and prospects and limits of different policy approaches related to these issues. Skills: Critical writing (F, A) Interpretation of data (T, A) Application of theories from economics, political science and sociology to real world cases (T, A) Ability to use internet resources (F). Content: The module gives an in-depth treatment of a selected issue or set of issues related to business and society. The specific topic of the course may vary, but will be selected from among contemporary policy debates around economic or ecological externalities arising from business, or the broader social and political context in which business operates. These topics will be studied from the perspective of corporate management and possible responses via programs to ensure corporate social responsibility. In addition, these topics will also be explored from the perspective of government and with regard to different policy tools for encouraging or regulating better corporate behaviour. Key topics may include but are not limited to multinational firms, global warming and resource scarcity, issues of economic and social inequality, or the influence of business on social and political dynamics of the UK. |