TFL400 Sustainable Capitalism

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Master’s Programme in International Business
• Master's Programme in Business Administration
• Master's Programme in Business Administration (5 years)

Teaching language

English

Recommended prerequisites

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or equivalent.

Course contents

We start this course by describing the major challenges in society today, including the degradation of the earth’s ecosystem and the increasing threat of climate change. The introductory part of the course ends with an in-depth discussion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Then we ask the question: How did we end up here? We trace the historical roots of capitalism and provide the students with the knowledge to better understand current sustainability challenges in economics and business. Going forward, how can businesses be a force for good? What is the moral responsibility of business? Is business ethics important for a sustainable future? In latter part of the course, the main goal is to investigate how businesses and governments can solve these global challenges. Key topics are corporate social responsibility, circular economy, sustainable business models, responsible investments, environmental and ecological economics, green growth, and regulations.

Learning outcomes

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

• identify and critically discuss global contemporary challenges in business and society, this includes knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and an understanding of how these relate to business operations

• analyse the role of capitalism, both the benefits capitalism has brought humanity, and the costs

• discuss the purpose of the corporation, including social responsibility, and ethical implications of sustainability challenges

• analyse how the emergence of new business models in the economy are related to issues of resource scarcity, circular economy and environmental regulation

• investigate how businesses can contribute to solving key environmental and social challenges, including climate change and resource scarcity

• know how to apply theories of sustainability, circular economy and sustainable business models to business practise

• discuss the role of markets, public policy and regulations in solving key sustainability challenges

• analyse the difficult trade-off between future economic growth and sustainability

• analyse and present cases of how business respond to sustainability challenges

Examination requirements

The students must pass written and/or oral assignment(s). More information will be provided in Canvas at the start of the semester.

Teaching methods

To help the students to master the material there will be a mix of lectures and seminars. Students must be prepared to work in groups. Estimated workload is 405 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.

Assessment methods and criteria

The final grade in the course is based on 4-hour individually written examination under supervision (school examination) which counts 50% and a group-based term paper which counts 50%. Both examinations must be passed before the final grade is given. Grading by letters (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
TFL402 – Sustainable Business	7.5