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Responsibility and Ethics of Business

Objectives

The aim of this course is to equip students with 1) a critical understanding of the role of business in society, 2) knowledge of key (policy) expectations for responsible business conduct, with a strong emphasis on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Human Rights (UNGPs), 3) practical tools for implementing expectations, 4) an understanding of complex ethical decision-making to be handled in and around the organization pertaining to values. Through a mix of learning methods, students will develop skills and critical reasoning for elaborating effective solutions to expectations for responsible business and ethically complex situations. 


General characterization

Code

2672

Credits

3.5

Responsible teacher

Alison Emma Holm

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites

n/a 


Bibliography

Material for this class will include (alphabetical order): academic articles, case studies, e-course sessions, news articles, policy documents, videos, and more. The list of readings will be provided after enrolment. 

 

Teaching method

The course comprises 12 classes of 1,5 hours each, for 6 weeks, two classes per week. In this elective course, the method of teaching is based on collaboration between students. Students are expected to prepare each session, participate in class, through guided lectures, critical discussions, questions to guest speakers, resolving teaching cases and creating student-led quizzes that can help the group learn (and may help for the final exam). Because learning styles differ, each week will be a combination of guided lectures, interactive discussion, case-based learning and expertise from guest speakers.

The first session of the week will be dedicated to guided lectures and guest lectures, will involve class discussions on the readings and the formulation of student-led quizzes.

The second session of the week will be dedicated to students? short essay presentation and interactive learning through problem-solving of case studies.

Evaluation method

To offer an opportunity to practice and be evaluated on different skills, students will be evaluated using a mix of different assessments: in-class participation (20%), short essay (15%), completion certificate on a 2-hours e-course on the UNGPs (10%), group projects and presentations (25%), and final exam (30%).


Subject matter

1. What is responsibility and ethics of business? 

2. Due diligence for human rights and beyond: expectations and solutions 

3. Stakeholder engagement: expectations and solutions 

4. Access to remedy: expectations and solutions 

5. Complex decision-making inside and outside the firm