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2020/2021  KAN-CCBLV1029U  Business and Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean

English Title
Business and Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Min. participants 40
Max. participants 45
Study board
Study Board for BSc and MSc in Business, Language and Culture, MSc
Course coordinator
  • Jacobo Ramirez - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Corporate governance
  • Business Law
  • Globalisation and international business
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 20-02-2020

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Identify international laws, regulations and conventions on Business and Human Rights.
  • Understand how Business and Human Rights governance can impact business.
  • Explain the strategic importance of protect, respect and provide access to remedy in relation to business and human rights.
  • Critically assess relevant theories on strategic management, corporate governance, critical management studies and institutional theory in relation to business and human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see s. 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
Compulsory assignment: Team case presentation in class.

Teams (2-4 students)
Assessed Complete/Incomplete

Team case presentation will be based on specific questions related to a case study assigned and course content and last max. 30 minutes.

Students who due to illness cannot participate in the team case presentantion shall send a doctor’s note or application for exemption to disp-blc@cbs.dk. If the absence is approved, students shall instead individually hand in a three page individual report based on specific questions related to a case study assigned and course content.
Examination
Business and Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 20 pages
Assignment type Case based assignment
Duration 2 weeks to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

1. The students will be requested to analyse, discuss and provide solutions to a case, based on the course’s literature, in order to provide concrete alternative solutions presented in the case.

 

Format:

Individual

Content:
Cover page
Introduction 
Content: Based on the question(s) to be answered.
Please make every effort when writing your assignment to present it in a critical, reflective style, in relation to the material studied (articles assigned for the activity). Concentrate on exploring the ideas, concepts and outcomes of your report 
Conclusions
Bibliography (APA Style http://www.apastyle.org/ )
Word document, Font: Arial 12 points
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) and public organizations can play a key role in fulfilling international policy regarding the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals to provide a plan of action for people, the planet and prosperity. However, MNEs are challenged in relation to respect these international guidelines, especially in the realm of human rights. This thematic confronts businesses from domestic to international scales (for example the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights).

 

This course uses insights from institutional theory to bridge strategic management theory and corporate governance in order to discuss business and human rights challenges that MNEs face in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The State duty to protect will be discussed in relation to MNEs’ responsibility to respect human rights at the local and international laws throughout their supply chains in LAC. Strategies developed by MNEs and public organizations will be discussed in relation to access to justice by victims and remedies provided by MNE. The course will place a significant emphasis from a bottom-up perspective i.e. local communities and victim’s perspective. Particularly, this course focuses on MNEs' impacts in minining and renevable energy investments in LAC.

 

The theoretical areas covered by the course are, therefore: Institutional theory, Corporate Governance, Strategic Management, socio-legal as well as Critical Management Studies. 
Description of the teaching methods
The case study approach/method is the principal learning strategy for the teaching-learning process. Through the case study method, the students will practice and apply theory and knowledge to real-world problems. The students, collaboratively (in teams), will identify and clarify the problems presented, analyse the information found on each case, formulate and evaluate options, present and defend their recommendations. The case study method involves the development of critical thinking, information analysis, and problem-solving skills. One of the principal objectives of this learning strategy is that the students assume a key role in the learning process.
Feedback during the teaching period
Student feedback will occur regularly throughout the course, e.g. via exercise classes, office hours and in-class case study solving. Students are encouraged to make use of those to enhance their learning experience, of course in addition to regular participation and two-way communication in lectures. The lecturer will also strive to be readily available for a one-to-one dialogue in both lecture breaks and following each lecture session.
Student workload
Lectures 30 hours
Exam 48 hours
Preparation 128 hours
Total 206 hours
Further Information

This course is desinged to complement and/or follow up the course Business and Human Rights: Governance, leadership and management. This course focuses on local communites in Latin America and the Caribean in relation to MNEs' impacts in minining and renevable energy investments. 
Expected literature

CANTÚ RIVERA, H. (2016). The Mexican Judiciary’s Understanding of the Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights. Business and Human Rights Journal, 1(1), 133-138. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.1017/​bhj.2015.13

 

NARVÁEZ GONZÁLEZ, C., & VALENCIA, K. (2019). Improving Human Rights in the Private Security Industry: Envisioning the Role of ICoCA in Latin America. Business and Human Rights Journal, 4(1), 79-107. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.1017/​bhj.2018.24

 

Schrempf-Stirling, J., & Wettstein, F. (2017). Beyond Guilty Verdicts: Human Rights Litigation and its Impact on Corporations’ Human Rights Policies. Journal of Business Ethics, 145(3), 545–562. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.1007/​s10551-015-2889-5

 

Chenoweth, E., Hunter, K., Moore, P., Olsen, T., Pinkney, J., & Reynolds-Stenson, H. (2017). Struggles from Below: Literature Review on Human Rights Struggles by Domestic Actors (Research and Innovation Grant Working Papers Series). Retrieved from https:/​/​www.usaid.gov/​sites/​default/​files/​documents/​2496/​Struggles_from_Below_-_Literature_Review_on_Human_Rights_Struggles_by_Domestic_Actors.pdf

 

Ruggie, J. (2008). Protect, Respect and Remedy: A Framework for Business and Human Rights. Innovations: Technology, Governance, Globalization, 3(2), 189–212. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.1162/​itgg.2008.3.2.189

 

Blanton, S. L., & Blanton, R. G. (2006). Human rights and foreign direct investment: A two-stage analysis. Business and Society, 45(4), 464–485. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.1177/​0007650306293392
Last updated on 20-02-2020