GY326 Half Unit
Sustainable Business and Finance
This information is for the 2022/23 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Richard Perkins
Availability
This course is available on the BA in Geography, BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Environment and Development, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics and BSc in Geography with Economics. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course is available to General Course students.
Course content
This course seeks to explore and critically interrogate the governance of environmental sustainability by corporate and financial actors - commonly framed in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable and responsible investment (SRI), respectively. Drawing on a range of theoretical ideas, the emphasis of the course is on providing students with an understanding of the motives, practices and outcomes of market actors' growing involvement in sustainability. Topics covered include business ethics, strategic CSR, self-regulation, ESG (environment, social and governance) in finance, green bonds, and greenwashing.
Teaching
In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.
This course is delivered through weekly 2-hour interactive seminars across Michaelmas Term.
This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Michaelmas Term.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce a formative issue brief plan in the Michaelmas Term.
Indicative reading
Rasche, A., Morsing, M. and Moon, J. (eds) (2018). Corporate Social Responsibility: Strategy, Communication. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
Schoenmaker, D. and Schramade. W. (2018). Principles of Sustainable Finance. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Assessment
Assignment (100%) in the MT.
The assignment will be an issue brief (3000 words).
Student performance results
(2019/20 - 2021/22 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| First | 38.8 |
| 2:1 | 42.7 |
| 2:2 | 15.7 |
| Third | 2 |
| Fail | 0.8 |
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Total students 2021/22: 89
Average class size 2021/22: 89
Capped 2021/22: Yes (90)
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
