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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Business And Society
Reference SS4080 Version 1
Created December 2021 SCQF Level SCQF 10
Approved February 2022 SCQF Points 15
Amended ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
Provide students with knowledge and understanding of the role that business plays in society, the ways this is understood and analysed from a variety of social science perspectives and enable students to critically evaluate the societal impacts of different business models and activities.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Demonstrate understanding of the evolution of the relationship between business and society from local to global contexts
2 Critically assess the relationship between business and society
3 Review the effectiveness of various forms of corporate engagement with society, including stakeholder engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility strategies and Environment and Social Governance strategies.
4 Evaluate contemporary conceptions of the responsibilities business owes to society

Indicative Module Content
Theoretical conceptions of business and its place in society including concepts of the market, economies, capitals, value and exchange. Legal expectations around the responsibilities of business including governance relating to corruption, modern slavery, environmental impacts, supply chains and stakeholders. Critical understanding of ethics and sustainability in business practice. Ability to identify and evaluate these themes in an applied context.

Module Delivery
This is a mainly lecture based module with supporting seminars/workshops and student-centred learning. The on-campus activities will be supplemented and supported with online activities where appropriate.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 24 N/A
Non-Contact Hours 126 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: 3,000 word written answer to one of a choice of questions

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
Grade D or above must be achieved in all components to achieve a module pass.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A A for Component 1
B B for Component 1
C C for Component 1
D D for Component 1
E E for Component 1
F F for Component 1
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None other than those required for entry to SCQF level 10
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 BIRCH, K. et al. 2017. Business and Society: A Critical Introduction. London. Zed Books
2 BUCKLER, S., 2021, 'CSR, Local Content and Taking Control: Do Shifts in Rhetoric Echo Shifts in Power from the Centre to the Periphery?' In S. VERTIGANS and S. O. IDOWU, eds. Global Challenges to CSR and Sustainable Development: Root Causes and Evidence from Case Studies. Springer. PP. 87-104.
3 DUNNE, S, MANSELL, SF, VELDMAN, J & PARKER, M 2016, The Nature and Purpose of the Corporation: A Roundtable Discussion, Ephemera: Theory and Politics in Organization, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 135-153.
4 HALDANE, A. 2015. 'Who Owns a Company?' speech for the Bank of England, now available as published transcript
5 HELMSING, A. H. J. and VELLEMA, S. 2011. Value Chains, Social Inclusion and Economic Development. London. Routledge
6 TIMMING, AR & MANSELL, SF 2018, Employment Relations, Stakeholder Theory and Business Ethics. in A COLVIN, J DONAGHEY, T DUNDON & A WILKINSON (eds), The Routledge Companion to Employment Relations. Routledge, pp. 448-462.

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