Course outline Code: EMB761 Title: Corporate Governance, Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Faculty of Arts and Business School of Business Teaching Session: Session 5 Year: 2015 Course Coordinator: Oscar Imaz-Mairal Office: K2.14A Telephone: +61 7 5430 1271 Email: OImaz@usc.edu.au Consultation Times: As advised on Blackboard 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description The course aims to develop an understanding of the underlying concepts of Corporate Governance, business ethics and CSR which are relevant to the contemporary business environment. It is designed to foster candidates' understanding of the ethical influences on economic, financial, managerial, and environmental aspects of business. The course further aims to develop a candidate's ability to critically analyse ethical issues in business. This course reviews different regulatory processes essential to the understanding of the principles of corporate governance in Australia. 1.2 Course content the concepts, essential principles, and stakeholders of corporate governance corporate Social Responsibility, citizenship and performance board and committee functions and structures and company officers training, induction, and behaviour corporate governance in Australia: background and regulations principles of good corporate governance and corporate disclosure requirements corporate governance disclosure in practice future directions for corporate governance and considerations in corporate decision- 2. Unit value 6 units
Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Graduate Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: Compare and analyse the corporate governance issues involved in business and the workplace. Compare and analyse the role of stakeholders and corporate managers moral obligations in business decision. Apply regulatory requirements to develop appropriate board and committee functions and structures. Apply corporate governance best practice principles and recommendations to achieve appropriate business practice. Analyse and explain economic, social and environmental sustainability issues relating to business practice. You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: 1 and 2 Knowledgeable. 1 and 2 Ethical. 1 and 2 Empowered. 1 and 2 Empowered. Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: 1 and 2 Sustainability-focussed. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Must be enrolled in BU791 4.2 Pre-requisites Nil 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites MBA711 or MGT712 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills An understanding of Strategic Management would be advisable.
Page 3 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL) 5.2 Assessment tasks Task Assessment Tasks No. Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? 1 In class test Individual 30% 1 hour - 6 short answer questions 2 Corporate governance and ethics case study - report Individual 70% 1750 words minimum to 2000 words maximum 100% When should I submit? Saturday, 1st August, 2015 9th August, 2015 Where should I submit it? In class SafeAssign Assessment Task 1: In class test Goal: The goal of this task is to test your knowledge and understanding of Ethical issues; and apply corporate governance best practice principles and recommendations related to appropriate business practice. Product: In class test Format: Six short answer questions will form the basis of this individual assessment task. The purpose for this assessment is to assist students in early assessment of understanding the course content. The six short answer questions will relate to material covered during the previous 3 sessions (modules 1 to 3). Criteria identify corporate social responsibility dilemmas compare and analyse the role of stakeholders and corporate managers moral obligations in business decision written communication skills Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Developing Information Literacy Graduate Assessment Task 2: Corporate governance and ethics case study - report Goal: The purpose of this assessment is to test your ability to think, write, research and analyse independently when uncertain situations present themselves during the course of business at all levels of management and specifically at the level of strategic managers and board of directors. Product: Case Study Report Format: 1750 to 2000 words Individual Choose a perspective. Standard case study report format see Blackboard for more information. Criteria demonstration relevant theoretical and practical aspects of corporate social responsibility correctly applied to the case study
Page 4 identification of ethical perspective evaluation of scenario and implications identification of environmental implications present research findings using industry document and reporting standards using appropriate analytical technics identify and solve a business problem Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Graduate Problem Solving Graduate 5.3 Additional assessment requirements SafeAssign In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks are submitted electronically via SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. If required, details of how to submit via SafeAssign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course. Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours 18 hours in distributed block format on campus 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Session 5, 2015. Future offerings are yet to be determined.
Page 5 6.3 Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I Week / learn? Module What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 1 Essential principles, of corporate governance Board functions and structures 2 Corporate Governance in Australia and Globally In-class discussion. In-class discussion 3 Normative theories of Ethics In-class discussion 4 Justice and Economic Distribution In-class discussion 5 Business and Society, the role of Corporate Social Responsibility, Citizenship and Performance In-class discussion 6 Stakeholder Management In-class discussion related to 7 Assessment Task 2 Due Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. du Plessis, Hargovan and Bagaric (2011) chapters 1 and 3 du Plessis, Hargovan and Bagaric (2011) chapters 6, 7, 12 and 13 Shaw, Barry and Sansbury (2009) chapter 2 e-reading provided; du Plessis, Hargovan and Bagaric (2011) chapter 14 Shaw, Barry and Sansbury (2009) chapter 5 e-reading provided. Carroll and Buchholtz (2012) Chapter 1 and 2 e-reading provided; du Plessis, Hargovan and Bagaric (2011) chapter 2 Carroll and Buchholtz (2012) Chapter 3 e- reading provided; du Plessis, Hargovan and Bagaric (2011) chapter 2
Page 6 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Du Plessis, J. J., McConvill, J., & Bagaric, M 2011 *Principles of contemporary corporate governance, 2 nd edn Cambridge University Press: Australia. All other readings provided as e-links *This textbook is available as an e-book via http://usc.eblib.com.au.ezproxy.usc.edu.au:2048/patron/fullrecord.aspx?p=647357&echo=1&userid=sgub GlCDgDg%3d&tstamp=1428884332&id=9D83CC79C7B6FB88377043713FE71A4CC36E4922 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements Nil 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 1226 or Email: StudentLifeandLearning@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching 10. Faculty specific information Locating Journal Articles If you have been notified that the journal articles in this course are available on e-reserve, use the on-line library catalogue to find them. For journal articles not on e-reserve, click on the "Journals and Newspapers" link on the Library Homepage. Enter the journal title e.g. History Australia, then search for the volume and issue or keyword as needed.
Page 7 Assignment Cover Sheets The Faculty of Arts and Business assignment cover sheet can be found on Blackboard or on the USC Portal at: Faculty of Arts and Business (Students) > Forms. It must be completed in full identifying student name, assignment topic, tutor and tutorial time. This must be attached securely to the front of each assessment item prior to submission. Claims of loss of assignments will not be considered unless supported by a receipt. Help: If you are experiencing problems with your studies or academic work, consult your tutor in the first instance or the Course Coordinator as quickly as possible. Difficulties: If you are experiencing difficulties relating to teaching and assessment you should approach your tutor in the first instance. If not satisfied after that you should approach in order your Course Coordinator, Program Coordinator then Head of School. General enquiries and student support Faculty Student Centre Tel: +61 7 5430 1259 Fax: +61 7 5430 2859 Email: FABinfo@usc.edu.au