ØAADM3600 Sustainable Business Emneplan

Business firms have many positive impacts on society but are also responsible for social and environmental problems and are under pressure from stakeholders to become more sustainable. Sustainability can be costly but also provide business opportunities, and most firms are now working on a range of sustainability initiatives and practices.

This course aims to give a broad introduction to business and sustainability. The course focuses on how business firms can combine increased levels of social and environmental sustainability with continued financial performance. Topics in the course include the business and ethical case for sustainability, business and climate change, resource use, social sustainability, organization for sustainability, sustainable finance and marketing, sustainability and innovation, regulation, and sustainability reporting.

Language of instruction is English.

None

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has in-depth knowledge of

• businesses' impact on the climate, environment and society
• theories and frameworks used to explain firms’ sustainability engagement and performance
• different types of sustainability initiatives and practices in business

Skills

The student is able to

• analyse the current sustainability status of a business
• suggest how firms can change towards sustainability
• assess how sustainability initiatives are related to financial results

General competence

The student is able to

• reflect on how their professional life can contribute to business sustainability
• carry out an independent project in a diverse group of students

The course will combine lectures, case discussions and individual work. The course will be partly organized around one group and one individual project.

This course addresses different forms of Educational Design Research (EDR) and the related term Design-Based Research (DBR), providing participants with a foundation in the theoretical and historical underpinnings of EDR. The course provides examples of EDR projects by the course leaders including the different steps and considerations that go in to planning such studies.  Finally, the course emphasizes student participation, discussion and getting feedback on their own EDR designs and thesis writing.

Approved by LUI's educational committee 21.06.2021

After completion of the course, the student will have acquired the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the historical, epistemological, and methodological issues connected to different perspectives on Educational Design Research and Design-Based Research

• has understanding of principles and questions for selecting Educational Design Research and distinguishing between related methodologies

• has knowledge of current issues and research in the educational sciences related to EDR, including ethical considerations, the role of the researcher, and the roles of partners and participants

Skills

The student

• can plan and develop research designs following EDR principles
• can make choices about methods for data collection and analysis within EDR projects
• can identify key considerations for working with partners in authentic settings to carry our EDR projects

General competence

The student

• can develop nuanced readings and critiques of current EDR research literature

• can integrate EDR methodologies into the candidates own research projects

Course sessions include lectures, discussions, small group design exercises, and text feedback sessions. The course is planned to take place on two non-consecutive days so that participants have a chance to apply and reflect on the concepts before returning for the second session.

Preparations for the course

Students are expected to read the syllabus before the course to be able to participate actively in discussions.

Work Requirements

A 2- page sketch of the essay should be delivered prior to the second course meeting for feedback and guidance.

Attendence

80 % attendence of the time of the course is required. If a student has attended at least 60 % of the course but less than 80 %, he/she must submit an extra paper of at least 3000 words plus reference list on a given topic.

The candidate writes an individual essay of between 4000 - 6000 words. It can be written in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English. The essay must be related to relevant themes in the course syllabus, and may (or may not) be connected to the candidate's dissertation methods chapter. The theme of the essay shall be approved by the course coordinator in advance.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.