Corp Responsibility & Sustainability

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Corporate Responsibility and Accountability examines how business manages its social, environmental and economic impact on society. The course first reviews the historical evolution and development of the concept of Corporate Responsibility and why it is now a key part of managing the business enterprise. Second, the course examines what acting responsibly means for corporations in terms of the market, community, environment, workplace and government. Key issues examined include business and human rights, community – business partnerships, corporate philanthropy, the human resource management implications of Corporate Responsibility, business and the environment and businesses’ relationship with government. Third, the course examines how business accounts for its behavior and impact in society through sustainability reporting and the role of external assurance, the appropriate role of government policy in either regulating and/or enabling responsible corporate behavior and the likely future trends for the corporation and corporate responsibility.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Describe and critically evaluate the concept of Corporate Responsibility and future trends in the role of the corporation in society;
• Describe the key drivers behind its uptake by business;
• Analyse and understand a corporation’s impact in the social, workplace, market, environment and political spheres;
• Apply Corporate Responsibility theories and frameworks to critically evaluate corporate responsibility performance;
• Evaluate and apply ethical and accountability issues and frameworks in business.

1. write a 2,500 word research essay on a given topic, and will involve research, reading and synthesising key concepts. This will count for 40% of a student’s grade; and
2. satisfactorily complete task assignments prior to some classes, including one 10 minute oral presentation. This will count for 20% of a student’s grade; and
3. develop and present to the class for up to 30 minutes on an assigned project. This will be a group project and each student will be part of a syndicate group. Each student will also submit a 500 word write-up of an aspect of this project. This will count for 30% of a student’s grade; and
4. participate actively in classes and class discussion, and also attend not less than 10 of the 12 units. This will count for 10% of a student’s grade."

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.