Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility

Key information

Start date:
To be confirmed

Expected to run in autumn 2023.

Contact details:

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Introduction

This module can be taken as standalone or as part of building up to a certificate, diploma or master’s degree. You can take up to three standalone modules before deciding whether you want to work towards any of these.

    If you do decide to build up to a qualification, then you will need to complete and pass the following amount of modules within a five year period: four modules for a certificate; eight modules for a diploma; eight modules and a dissertation for a degree. Please note that certain modules will be compulsory depending on the degree you opt to take.

    If you would like to gain a qualification then you will need to register onto one of our master's courses:

    Module overview

    This module covers business approaches to reconcile environmental constraints and social expectations under the business paradigm and focuses on the way in which businesses have approached the diverse and increasingly complex agenda of corporate sustainability management, evaluating the degree of influence these issues have on business activities and asking complex questions on the motives, design and efficacy of such initiatives.

    It offers comprehensive grounding in sustainability management issues including strategies, accountability, policies, auditing and reporting. Given appropriate tools and an exposure to international and local environmental and ethical issues, you will use real-life business industry situations to formulate environmental and sustainability management policy.

    Learning outcomes

    On successful completion of this module, you will:

    • Understand the knowledge, process and practice of sustainability management in an organisation
    • Be able to outline and articulate different approaches to CSR and their relative merits and suitability
    • Effectively argue in favour of an environmental improvement programme
    • Understand and apply the practical implications of waste management, cleaner technology and the circular economy
    • Understand and appreciate the analysis and range of complex issues involved in environmental management
    • Know a range of corporate sustainability management strategies and control mechanisms and be able to develop appropriate action to address a specific set of environmental issues
    • Know the literature and networks with which to support ongoing needs in environmental management.

    Course content

    Content includes the following:

    • Corporate crime and malfeasance
    • Definitions and evaluation of key concepts, including corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), industrial ecology etc
    • Product-based sustainability
    • Reporting and stakeholder management
    • Risk management, risk perception and industrial accidents
    • Social enterprises, capital markets and corporate strategies.

    Learning and teaching methods

    The learning and teaching methods include:

    • Case studies
    • Independent study
    • Lectures and class discussions
    • Practical applications.

    Assessment

    • A 1,000 word individual reflective essay, prior to starting the module
    • A 3,000 word reflective essay or company report, to be completed over the four-week period following this module.

    Please note: If you are taking this as a standalone module, then you are not required to complete the 3,000 word post-module essay, however, this will mean that you won't gain any credits for completing the module and so won't be able to work towards a qualification if you later decide to do so.

    Course leader

    Reading list

    You will be required to do some reading prior to the module starting, take a look at the reading list.

    Entry requirements

    There are no entry requirements if you are taking this as a standalone module.

    For those wanting to build up to a qualification, please refer to the MSc course pages for entry requirements.

    Fees and funding

    Fees are to be confirmed

    How to apply

    Applications are currently closed. Please register your interest with Caroline Stuart at caroline.stuart@surrey.ac.uk, so we can let you know when the next course is running.

    Terms and conditions

    When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations and our terms and conditions. You are also confirming you have read and understood the University's prospective student privacy notice.

    Further details of our terms and conditions will follow.

    Disclaimer

    This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the commencement of the course. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read the full disclaimer.

    Course location and contact details

    Campus location

    Stag Hill

    Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

    Caroline Stuart Development and Administration Officer
    Address

    University of Surrey
    Guildford
    Surrey GU2 7XH