BUSI 3000U – Business and Sustainability

This course focuses on sustainability in business as a transformative approach to Corporate Social Responsibility. Students will explore how doing well in business requires doing good in society and for the environment. The course begins by examining the normative foundations of sustainability using business ethics as a framework. The course then situates sustainability in the practical reality of today’s world in order to understand the types of social issues and environmental concerns that shape society’s expectations of business. Students will examine various international treaties and conventions to understand the global context of sustainability. Students will learn about the challenges and opportunities that lie in integrating sustainability into business in meaningful and transformative ways. Students will explore the emergence of different forms of business organizations, as well as the use of ESG reporting to measure the performance of business with respect to the environment, social issues and corporate governance. The course will also include a special focus on the intersection of technology and sustainability, and the idea of ‘tech with a conscience’.
Credit hours: 3
Lecture hours: 3
Prerequisite(s): Third-year standing in the Commerce program
Experiential learning: Yes