Module manager: Sally Russell
Email: s.russell@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module provides a conceptual foundation for exploring the role of business in tackling the challenges of sustainability. Whilst theory can provide insights into what business should do, it is less useful in assessing the challenges associated with the responsibilities of business in the context of sustainability. This module therefore emphasises examining the real experiences of business and the stakeholders with which they interact. The module draws on contemporary case studies in the literature and the experience of the teaching staff and guest speakers. Examples are explored from a variety of conceptual perspectives to promote critical reflection on the opportunities and limitations of business contributions to the challenges of sustainability.
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to learn about the relationship between business, environment and sustainability from multiple perspectives. The suite of learning activities aims to allow students the opportunity for experiential learning of sustainability issues in a real-world and current context. Students are challenged to apply relevant theory and research to issues facing businesses and to be able to communicate their findings and reflections to an academic and practitioner audience.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
LO1. Review sustainability issues as they affect business from a theoretically informed perspective
LO2. Evaluate the policy context and pressures facing companies to address environmental and sustainable development issues
LO3. Develop and critically analyse case studies of responsible business practice at the micro and macro level
LO4. Reflect, debate and communicate the complex relationship between sustainability and business
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKLO1 - Research skills (W8)
SKLO2 - Critical thinking (W2, S2, A2)
SKLO3 - Reflection (W18, A6)
SKLO4 - Working with and collaborating with others (W3, S3, E1, E3)
SKLO5 - Time management, planning and organising (W9, A9)
SKLO6 - Digital communication, collaboration and participation (D4)
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1.5 | 16.5 |
| Practical | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1.5 | 15 |
| Private study hours | 257.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 42.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
3* blog posts set over the course of the module. Feedback provided on the blogs including peer-review feedback. This feedback is provided 2 weeks after each blog post and one week prior to the submission of the next formative blog post. Blog posts are in a style that is similar to the OTLA, giving students an opportunity to develop their skills in preparation for their final assessment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Group work | 30 |
| Coursework | Online Time-Limited Assessment | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The Group fieldtrip report resit will be an individual piece of work that reflects on the learning from the groupwork activity.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 29/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team