Globalisation and Corporate Responsibility
After the course students will be familiar with globalization and corporate (social) responsibility, as well as the Millennium and the Sustainable Development Goals (MDGs and SDGs) of UN. Students will understand their contents and the kind of possibilities and challenges they set for companies.
5 ECTS Credits — Studies start 11 March 2024 — University of Turku

Course dates
11 March 2024 – 30 June 2024
Registration period
1 January 2024 – 25 February 2024
Coordinating university
University of Turku
Instructors
Credits
5 ECTS
Course level
General
Course Dates: 11.03. - 30.06.2024
Registration Dates: 01.01. - 25.02.2024
Coordinating University: University of Turku
Coordinators: Ayu Pratiwi, if.utu@iwitarp.uya
Credits: 5 ECTS
Course summary
Corporate (social) responsibility is the main framework for companies to respond to global challenges and uneven development. In this course, much emphasis will be put on developing countries.
Learning outcomes
After the course students will be able to:
- Identify the fundamental principles, theories, and methods of corporate social responsibilities and their relation to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Recognize the different practices within companies' business models and operations and how they respond to sustainability-related challenges, risks, and opportunities.
- Evaluate critically the role of business as a developmental agent and as a contributor (or potential opponent) to SDGs and examine its internal and external stakeholders’ engagement using case studies in the Global South.
- Assess the impacts of CSR and reflect upon the outcomes in the business and society using contemporary tools such as technological innovations and cutting-edge business models in the Global South.
Learning methods
The course is held virtually in English and consists of discussions in forums and written assignments. The students can work on the course at their preferred pace. The course will use selected reading materials and pre-recorded video lectures. All materials will be distributed via Moodle platform. Moodle is also used to facilitate an exchange of ideas and discussion. The instructors will provide guidance and instructions to students via Moodle, and if necessary, face-to-face online guidance is available. A mix of an open-ended problem set, an essay and a final report will be utilized.
Study materials
- A collection of pre-recorded lectures and articles
- Potter, R., Binns, T., Elliott, J., Nel, E., & Smith, D. (2018). Geographies of Development: An Introduction to Development Studies (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315759319
Assessment
Grade 0-5. The course grade is given based on the final report on a scale 0-5. The literature and lecture assignments are not graded individually but they are obligatory.
Assessment criteria
The course assessment comprises 3 individual literature assignments that are graded 0-5 as well as a lecture diary that is fail/pass.
The final grade is a weighted average of the assignment grades where the final essay weights x2. All assignments need to be of passing grades.
Additional information
Maximum number of students: 30.
The course is recommended for those in their 2nd or 3rd year of study.