On completing the course, participants are able to - define and explain the history and philosophy of Critical Thinking; - identify suitable methods for critical analyses; - reflect on issues of sustainability; and - critically assess business situations for decision-making
Course Prerequisites
This an advanced course which is addressed to Master level students.
Teaching Methods
The course is based on highly interactive lectures, and it concludes with an exam session during which students will present and discuss the results of their group work. Lectures are a mix of impulse sessions which introduce relevant concepts and methods, reflective sessions which put these concepts and methods in context, as well as case sessions which illustrate the application of concepts and methods of “critical thinking for doing sustainable business”.
Assessment Methods
The exam for this course is a 45 minutes group presentation to be held in person approximately two weeks after the end of the lectures. Groups of 4-6 students will develop a critical sustainability analysis of a real firm. Supported by adequate presentation visualizations (for example PowerPoint), students present their results, and discuss them with fellow students as well as the lecturer. Note that there will be only date for the exam (presentations), and it cannot be repeated during the academic year.
Texts
Byars, S.M., & Stanberry, K. (2018). Business Ethics. OpenStax: Houston, TX. Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/business-ethics Laine, M., Tregidga, H., & Unerman, J. (2021). Sustainability accounting and accountability. Routledge: London.
Contents
Course outline 1. Philosophical Underpinnings 2. Methodological Considerations 3. The Purpose(s) of Doing Business and the Meaning(s) of Sustainability 4. Applied Critical Thinking 1: The omnipresent dogma of efficiency 5. Applied Critical Thinking 2: Managing public perceptions through sales and revenue reporting
Course Language
English
More information
Only students who attended the lectures will be admitted to the exam.
