TFL126 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Bachelor's Programme in Marketing and Management
• Bachelor's Programme in Business Administration
• Master's Programme in Business Administration (5 years)

Teaching language

Norwegian

Course contents

The course has three parts. The first part is an introduction to academic writing and reflection. The second part introduces the students to different ethical theories, hereunder utilitarianism, ethics of rights and duties, and virtue ethics. The third, and largest part of the course introduces the students to Corporate Social Responsibility in a Norwegian and international context.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

• apply the norms of academic writing and structure an academic text

• demonstrate knowledge of basic ethical principles and be able to apply these principles when analysing ethical dilemmas

• demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), interest theory, the triple bottom line, sustainability, the UN goals of sustainable development and social entrepreneurship.

• apply theory related to CSR when analysing and critically reflecting over current cases from the business community.

Examination requirements

Approved written assignments. More information is available in Canvas.

Teaching methods

The teaching is based on a combination of plenary and video lectures, tutorials and seminars. Part 1 and Part 2 are interconnected as the students have to apply the theory from Part 2 in their academic writing exercise in Part 1. In Part 3 the seminars require the students to participate in discussions and submit reflection papers. More details will be given at the start of the semester. The course has an estimated workload of 200 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Admission for external candidates

No

Offered as Single Standing Module

Yes. Subject to availability or capacity.

Assessment methods and criteria

The exam is a two-part exam. Part 1 is a written individual assignment based on Part 1 and 2 of the course. Part 2 of the exam is a group-based home assignment (48 hours) based on Part 3 of the course (CSR). Both exam parts count the same (50 per cent each) of the final grade (A-F).

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course	Reduction of Credits
SE-109 – Introduction to Economic Thought and Ethics	7.5
SE-109 – Introduction to Economic Thought and Ethics	7.5
TFL127 – Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility	7.5
SE-104 – Introduction to Economic Thought and Ethics	5
SE-104 – Introduction to Economic Thought and Ethics	5
SE-107 – Introduction to Economic Thought and Ethics II	5