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2021/2022  BA-BBLCO2100U  Globalisation and Sustainability

English Title
Globalisation and Sustainability

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc and MSc in Business, Language and Culture, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Lotte Thomsen - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • CSR and sustainability
  • Globalisation and international business
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 13-09-2021

Relevant links
Learning objectives
At the end of the course students should be able to:
  • Use the global value chain theory to understand the structures and dynamics of the global economy
  • Analyse the impacts of global production and consumption on sustainability
  • Explain how and why these impacts vary between different places
  • Discuss how the identified sustainability challenges can be mitigated
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see section 13 of the Programme Regulations): 2
Compulsory home assignments
To qualify for the essay exam, students will have to pass two assessments:

1. Online group hand-in of 1 page containing essay topics, introductions and research questions. Topics must comply to the course learning objectives and make use of the course syllabus. The introduction must be approved online by a supervisor before students can take the course exam. Short written feed-back will be provided online.

The assignment will be approved/dismissed on the basis of content as well as academic writing

Students who due to illness or other excused absence cannot participate shall instead individually hand in a 1/2 pages assignment. The assignment will be approved/dismissed on the basis of compliance with the learning objectives. The student is offered 20 minutes feedback on the basis of the hand in.

2. Face-to-face presentation of essay written during the course to a designated supervisor (faculty) in groups. Presentation is done by the group of which all members must be present and actively take part in the presentation and following discussion. The essay and presentation must be approved by the supervisor before students can take the exam. Oral feed-back will be given to the group.

The assignment will be approved/dismissed on the basis of content as well as academic writing.

Students who due to illness or other excused absence cannot participate shall instead individually hand in a three pages assignment. The assignment will be approved/dismissed on the basis of compliance with the learning objectives.
Examination
Globalisation and Sustainability:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 5 pages
Assignment type Essay
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The exam essay should be based on the exam material and the course literature. It should fulfill the requirements of the learning objectives and as the academic writing taught in the course.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course aims to provide students with knowledge of the interlinkages between economic globalization and sustainability. To understand globalization, we take our theoretical starting point in the global value chain theory that explores the global connections and dynamics between different actors such as businesses, suppliers, governments and civil society organisations. The global value chain approach also allows us to understand impact and sustainability challenges in different places of the world. Students will examine various links between economic globalisation (of production and consumption) and sustainability.  

The themes taught are illustrated by selected industries, sectors, lead firms and countries. 

 

We take on a holistic approach to sustainability and engage with various social and environmental aspects and challenges as related to economic globalisation, including but not limited to value capture, climate change, environmental harms, gender inequality, global inequality and labour relations. In particularly, we engage critically with the Sustainable Development Goal 12 aiming to ‘ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns’. 

 

Against this background, students will explore and understand the unequal economic, social and environmental impact of globalisation in different places, not least in the Global South. It is also the ideal that students are encouraged to use their acquired knowledge to explore and suggest how businesses and organisations can contribute to mitigate the identified challenges. 

  

The themes taught in the course will also provide students with knowledge that is useful for later courses, not least International Sustainability (3rd semester), The Corperation in Society: Managing Beyond Markets (6th semester), and  the Year 1 Research Project on Business and Organizations for a Sustainable, Global Society for which topical knowledge as well as methodological approaches to write projects are useful.
Description of the teaching methods
The course consists of a combination of:
1. Lectures for which we expect a very high degree of student preparation and participation. Students should come to class prepared to use any assigned material including the course syllabus. For some classes there may also be online assignments to be done before class. In these cases, students are expected to engage with an average of one hour teaching/ preparation online, followed by an average of 2 hours face-to-face teaching in class. Expectations will be announced on Canvas for each class.
2. Essay writing in groups takes place in class with the help of teachers, and also between classes as group work. There are also online assignments.
Feedback during the teaching period
• Peer feedback, teacher supervision and feedback on essays
• Online and personal feedback on different activities
• For the period of teaching, individual feedback is offered during ‘office hours’ provided by faculty staff members teaching in the course (see day and time on Canvas).
Student workload
Lectures 21 hours
Workshop 16 hours
Preparation and exam 170 hours
In total 206 hours
Further Information

This course is a continuation and updated version of the course BBLCO1224U Globalisation Studies. Students that have not yet passed the old course by winter 2020 will partake in the exam in this course in winter 2021.
Expected literature

Ponte, S. (2019) Business, Power and Sustainability in a World of Global Value Chains. Zed Books. 

 

More literature pending.
Last updated on 13-09-2021