Sustainable Business – an ecological perspective, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

• 120 ECTS credits passed from undergraduate studies including at least 60 ECTS credits in Business Administration, or equivalent
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• identify, explain, and integrate key sustainability phenomena with marketing and management literature
• analyze various aspects of sustainability, its role in today’s society, and its historical development in relation to business activities
• identify and analyze sustainable business practices in companies and other organizations, develop reasonable improvements, propose possible solutions, and reflect on the outcomes of actions taken
• critically analyze and integrate knowledge of sustainability with marketing and management literature through reading, discussions, and project work, and express this knowledge both orally and in writing

Course content

The course addresses the increasing sustainability requirements imposed on companies worldwide. It covers how resource use in production, emissions to air, water, and soil, and impacts on animals and nature present challenges, but also opportunities, for organizations. The integration of sustainability concepts with theories and models about companies and markets, and how these can correlate in green business models, sustainable niches, corporate communication, and strategic work is discussed. Sustainability as a phenomenon that creates both challenges and opportunities for organizations is explored from a management and marketing perspective.

Teaching and working methods

The course consists of lectures, seminars, project work, and workshops.
In addition to this, the student is expected to engage in self-study.

Language of instruction and examination: English.

Examination

The course is examined through:

• group project work, grading scale: EC (P/F)
• active participation in seminars, grading scale: EC (P/F)
• active participation in workshops, grading scale: EC (P/F)
• individual written examination, grading scale: EC

To achieve a passing final grade (E), a minimum of the grade E is required in all components. A higher grade is decided by grade on the individual written assignment.

Detailed information can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department