Corporate Social Responsibility (5 cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- analyze environmental, social and economic responsibilities in service business
- develop sustainable practises in organisations

Location and time

Start on May 6th and end August 25th
Informational kick-off in Zoom: May 7th at 9am.

Materials

The literature and other resources are available in Canvas.

Teaching methods

On-line course in Canvas, no lectures

The learning outcomes of the 5 ECTS study unit, Corporate Social Responsibility, are given below. After completing the study unit you are able to:

- analyze environmental, social and economic responsibilities in service business
- develop sustainable practices in an organisation

The study unit is completed independently following a schedule for returning assignments / by a given deadline. Self-direction is required. The study unit does not include meetings except an informational kick-off in Zoom (in May 2025). You will work online, both individually and in teams, and actively participate in online discussions and carry out assignments. You will study in a Canvas learning environment which includes learning material and assignments/tests. You will not receive individual feedback for assignments: feedback is based on checking the accuracy of the assignments.

Exam schedules

Based on the degree regulations the student accepted for the implementation is required to confirm his/her participation by showing activity at the start of the study in the following way:

In accordance with the degree regulations (2024), those who have been accepted for the study unit must confirm their participation by concluding the first module by the due date (TBD). If the student does not confirm participation by acting in this way, his registration for the implementation will be rejected.

Completion alternatives

According to the degree regulations "Students are entitled to apply for recognition of prior learning regardless of where, when and how the competence has been acquired. At Laurea, there are two different procedures for the recognition and accreditation of prior learning: a) accreditation of prior learning (competence acquired in higher education studies at another institution) and b) demonstration of competence (competence acquired in other ways). The recognition and accreditation of prior learning is initiated by the student themselves. The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence. The student is entitled to guidance for the recognition and accreditation of their competence." Further information in the student intranet.

You may also assess work-based learning as a way to acquire the competence needed. Read more in the student intranet.

Student workload

5 ECTS = 135 hours of student work

Workload of the study is measured in a way that to acquire the goal competence of the study, one credit corresponds to an average of 26.7 hours of work done by the student. The actual time needed varies e.g. according to prior competence.

Content scheduling

There are no contact lessons (except information kick-off) during this study unit. You will work online, both individually and in teams, and actively participate in online discussions and carry out assignments.
Topics:

1. Environmental responsibility, individual work
2. Social Responsibility, individual work
3. Economic Responsibility, individual work
4. CSR report, team work, maximum 40 points.

In teams (module 4) you will write a report where you describe the environmental, social and economic responsibilities including circular economy of an organisation of your choice. Find / choose a small- or medium-sized company (SME*), interview a company representative and describe the company’s best practices in the above areas (environmental, social and economic).
Feel free to include photographs showing examples of innovative practices. Your final report, excluding pictures, should be 5-10 pages.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Further information

There are no contact lessons during this study unit. You will work online, both individually and in teams, and actively participate in online discussions and carry out assignments. Please note that all reports are submitted automatically for plagiarism detection.

See the schedule for more detailed information.

Evaluation

The study unit will be evaluated based on your individual assignments, active discussion on each topic, team report and learning diary.
1. Environmental responsibility, individual work, maximum 20 points
2. Social Responsibility, individual work, maximum 20 points
3. Economic Responsibility, individual work, maximum 20 points
4. CSR report, team work, maximum 40 points.


All these parts must be completed after which the final grade is given within 4 weeks timeframe after the final deadline. The final grade is lowered by at least 0.5 if any work is submitted late. Please note that active discussion is required during the discussion weeks. If you fail to take part in any discussions, you are required to write a summary of that week's discussion.