Module manager: Dr Rosario Michel-Villarreal
Email: r.michel-villarreal@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
SOEE5341M
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module explores the principles of sustainable business practices, including corporate social responsibility (CSR), with a focus on the connection between theory and practical application. Students will learn to navigate diverse sustainability and CSR requirements, while developing the skills to assess and implement effective frameworks across various real-world contexts. Through case studies, students will identify, evaluate, and address socio-economic and environmental challenges, enabling them to provide informed, practical solutions for sustainable business practices. A key component of the module is learning how to effectively communicate sustainability and CSR strategies to stakeholders.
The module aims to provide students with a solid understanding of sustainable business practices and CSR, focusing on the link between theory and practical application. Students will learn to navigate varying sustainability and CSR requirements, analyse real-world cases, and apply appropriate frameworks for different contexts. They will also critically evaluate key CSR issues, frameworks and strategies, and performance data from case studies to develop insights and recommendations. Students will also build communication skills to clearly articulate sustainability and CSR strategies to various stakeholders. To achieve these aims, the module incorporates case studies, discussions, and group projects that simulate real-life scenarios, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills for practical application.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
SSLO1: Analyse theories and practical approaches in relation to sustainable business and corporate responsibility.
SSLO2: Evaluate sustainability and CSR issues in real-world business contexts.
SSLO3: Critically analyse sustainability and CSR policies, frameworks, and performance data from case studies.
SSLO4: Effectively communicate sustainability and CSR strategies to different audiences.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKLO1: Evaluate information and use critical thinking to analyse CSR and sustainable business strategies and case studies (critical thinking)
SKLO2: Apply digital technologies, networks and techniques to search for and analyse relevant CSR and sustainable business information (digital skills)
SKLO3: Develop and act on creative ideas related to CSR and sustainable business strategy (creativity and Innovation)
SKLO4: Communicate CSR and sustainability strategies clearly, accurately, and appropriately to a specific audience (communication)
SKLO5: Collaborate and problem solve in an equitable and respectful manner (collaboration & problem solving)
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 8 | 1.5 | 12 |
| Practical | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Seminar | 8 | 1.5 | 12 |
| Independent online learning hours | 3 | ||
| Private study hours | 263 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 34 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
Seminar discussions incorporate activities that allow students to practice the skills necessary for completing formal assessments. For example, in Assessment 1, students must identify significant issues related certain core subjects of ISO 26000 in the context of a specific industry. During the seminars, students engage in similar activities by applying these concepts to a variety of case studies. Feedback is provided throughout the group discussions, enabling students to identify areas for improvement and enhance their understanding of the learning materials.
Formative feedback will be provided to students on their communication output. At the conclusion of the communication (second half of the module), each group will present a draft of their output to the teaching staff. Informal feedback will be provided at this point which the groups can feed forward into their final versions.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 70 |
| Coursework | Oral Assessment | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The resit for the Oral Assessment will be an individual piece of work, which includes reflection on the groupwork activity.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 29/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team