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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Sustainable Business
Reference BS1005 Version 2
Created February 2023 SCQF Level SCQF 7
Approved May 2022 SCQF Points 15
Amended June 2023 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
This module aims to motivate students to integrate notions of sustainability into their business approach. It will provide students with the key concepts and frameworks to develop a critical understanding of the problems of sustainable development including the climate and nature crises, and intertwined issues of equality, justice, and human rights with knowledge of how organisations can respond to these opportunities and challenges by embedding sustainability into their strategy and operations

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between government, science, industry, and consumers, within the wider context of scientific knowledge, and socio-political and economic trends.
2 Evaluate and apply the internal organisational management tools and techniques to embed sustainability into the company's strategy and operations.
3 Evaluate and apply the external management tools and techniques to embed sustainability throughout the value chain.
4 Apply a range of research, analysis, and collaborative skills to communicate with specialist and non-specialist audiences around sustainability issues.

Indicative Module Content
The course has two substantive sections. The first part addresses the scientific basis and evolving policy context of sustainability, while the second part focuses on the roles, opportunities, and challenges of sustainable businesses. During the course we consider: - definitions and theoretical foundations of sustainable development and sustainability, and the tensions and trade-offs within and between them - the changing roles of government, industry, and society regarding environmental protection and social justice during socio-technical transition. - internal sustainability management tools: carbon footprint and life cycle analysis - external sustainability management tools: circular economy, sustainable production and consumption, labelling and certification schemes Part two topics will be explored through case studies drawing on the energy, (auto)mobility, and clothing sectors.

Module Delivery
Learning and teaching on Sustainable Business is interactive and research-led, delivered through weekly lectures and workshops, and with an emphasis on independent research and engaged learning (not just knowing what you know, but applying what you know). Assessment is enquiry-based.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 36 N/A
Non-Contact Hours 114 N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 N/A
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4
Description: Assessment is by one individual piece of work usually in report format.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
Component 1 comprises 100% of the module grade. To pass the module, a D grade is required
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 COHEN, M. 2020 Sustainability. Cambridge: Polity.
2 JORGENSEN, S., & PEDERSON, L. 2018 RESTART Sustainable Business Model Innovation. Geneva: Palgrave Macmillan.
3 KOPINA, H., & BLEWITT, J. 2015 Sustainable business: Key issues. London: Routledge.
4 SACHS, J.D. 2015 The age of sustainable development. New York: Columbia University Press.
5 IVORY, S.B. 2021 Becoming a critical thinker: For your university studies and beyond. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781