Corporate Social Responsibility and Law

Subject 732-708 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

February, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.
Prerequisites: N.A.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Assoc Prof John Howe
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Achieve a general knowledge of debates concerning the nature and function of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) whereby corporations are increasingly seeking to demonstrate their concern for a range of matters such as the environment and respect for human rights and labour standards
  • Understand the relationship between CSR and the law
  • Understand how CSR mechanisms operate as forms of regulation both in a domestic context and on a transnational basis
  • Appreciate the potential role of legal advisers in promoting CSR as an aspect of lawyers’ ethics.

Syllabus:

Principal topics are likely to include:

  • CSR debates and the relevance of law, with a focus on environment and labour standards
  • CSR against the law? Directors’ duties under Australian corporate law and CSR
  • Regulating for CSR:
    • Use of corporate law to achieve CSR aims (disclosure requirements, ethical investment, shareholder activism under corporate law)
    • Law and indirect government regulation for CSR domestically and transnationally – a case study of public finance, public procurement and CSR
    • The various forms of ‘soft law’ that are a source of CSR norms, including monitoring and enforcement of international and domestic voluntary CSR and multi-stakeholder arrangements such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the National Contact Point, the UN Global Compact and Corporate Codes of Conduct
  • The role of the corporate lawyer – legal ethics and CSR.
Assessment:
  • Class participation (10%)
  • Class presentation (10%)
  • Research paper 8,000 words (80%) (14 May) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 732-708Corporate Social Responsibility and LawMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2009P

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Achieve a general knowledge of debates concerning the nature and function of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) whereby corporations are increasingly seeking to demonstrate their concern for a range of matters such as the environment and respect for human rights and labour standards
  • Understand the relationship between CSR and the law
  • Understand how CSR mechanisms operate as forms of regulation both in a domestic context and on a transnational basis
  • Appreciate the potential role of legal advisers in promoting CSR as an aspect of lawyers’ ethics.

Syllabus:

Principal topics are likely to include:

  • CSR debates and the relevance of law, with a focus on environment and labour standards
  • CSR against the law? Directors’ duties under Australian corporate law and CSR
  • Regulating for CSR:
    • Use of corporate law to achieve CSR aims (disclosure requirements, ethical investment, shareholder activism under corporate law)
    • Law and indirect government regulation for CSR domestically and transnationally – a case study of public finance, public procurement and CSR
    • The various forms of ‘soft law’ that are a source of CSR norms, including monitoring and enforcement of international and domestic voluntary CSR and multi-stakeholder arrangements such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the National Contact Point, the UN Global Compact and Corporate Codes of Conduct
  • The role of the corporate lawyer – legal ethics and CSR.
  • Class participation (10%)
  • Class presentation (10%)
  • Research paper 8,000 words (80%) (14 May) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
N.A. N.A.24 - 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.Assoc Prof John HoweLawLawNNNNParkvillePARKVILLEFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/732708732-7082February

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