AEM 2555 - Corporate Sustainability: The Business Challenge

(CU-SBY)

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only (no audit).

Prerequisite: First-Year Writing Seminar or equivalent. Satisfies CALS written expression requirement and Dyson Grand Challenges writing requirement.

J. Tobin.

This course provides an overview of the area of corporate sustainability, with particular emphasis on the finance industry. The focus will be on understanding how a growing recognition of the importance of sustainability affects corporate behavior. Through a combination fo classroom presentations, assigned readings, in-class discussions, and individual writing assignments, students will develop critical thinking and writing skills while they learn about the most important themes in corporate sustainability, including:

The impacts of business activity, both positive and negative
Environmental and social risk management
Sustainability initiatives and self-regulation in the corporate sector
Stakeholder engagement and management
The growth of sustainable business, including environmental finance and impact investing

Outcome 1: Identify the key trends in the area of corporate sustainability, as well as the risks and opportunities that arise from a growing public awareness of the impacts of corporate activity.

Outcome 2: Recognize sustainability risks associated with particular corporate activities and will be able to propose actions that mitigate these risks.

Outcome 3: Critically examine the interactions between corporate entities and their peers, their regulators, the public, and their other stakeholders, and to recognize opportunities for improving the outcomes of these interactions.

Outcome 4: Recognize controversial issues in business ethics, will analyze the issues critically, and will convincingly articulate their personal views on the issues.