NX9312 - Introduction to Responsible Business

The module has a one-hour weekly lecture, in which you will be introduced to the context of a topic and provided with a detailed overview. You will also have an opportunity to join a webinar where you will be able to interact with your peers and academic staff to ask questions, reflect on the topic and gain support and advice.

You will be provided with a teaching and learning plan to direct your reading and preparation which you will be able to access through an online reading list on the modules Blackboard site and through the Library website. There will also be multimedia support available through the teaching and learning plan, where you will be directed to access a range of videos and other resources.

There will be a two-hour seminar per week which will be facilitated by group tasks, team working, communication and interpersonal skills and will allow you to reflect on your learning. The seminars will draw heavily on yours and your peers’ discussions and debates of case studies, stories and events which have prominent responsible business issues within. You will be asked to prepare work prior to the seminar which will be directed in the teaching and learning plan and found through the modules Blackboard site, and will be encouraged by your lecturer to use research skills developed in other modules to consider additional material, such as relevant news articles from FT.com and BBC news.

The directed activities you undertake on the module are designed to ensure that you and the lecturing staff are the co-creators of knowledge. They will encourage you to create an active and self-directed learning experience, which will allow you to take responsibility for your own learning, whilst still having a high level of support. Support will be provided to you by the member of academic staff leading the module and providing the lectures and seminars. You will also have the support of the programme leader and support staff at the University.

Your module is supported by an e-learning portal (Blackboard), which houses the teaching and learning plan, lecture materials and recordings, workshop and seminar exercises, assessment information, period tests to aid formative learning and details of additional resources such as online recordings and videos. You will also be able to access key parts of lectures which will be recorded throughout the module.

The modules online reading list can be reached through the Blackboard site. This list provides you with a comprehensive list of links from which to access all of the modules eBooks, news resources, and directed learning academic articles. The module’s Blackboard site also has a discussion board, where the module tutor and lecturers will post important information about the module throughout the semester.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge and Understanding
ML01: Develop an understanding of what constitutes a Responsible Business

Intellectual / Professional Skills and Abilities:

ML02: Demonstrate ability to work in groups and teams and make appropriate and personal contributions to team effectiveness

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

ML03: Reflect on your own ethical awareness and personal values

Formative assessment will take place throughout the programme though short MCQ tests in the VLE which you can use to check your understanding of the key topics. (MLO1, MLO3).


Summative Presentation/Debate worth 30% of total module marks. Feedback provided electronically (ML01) (ML02)

Coursework Essay Question worth 70% of total marks (2000 words). Feedback provided electronically (ML01) (ML03)

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As a future business leader, having the ability to recognise and make sound judgements on complex business issues is significant in the twenty-first century. In recent years, highly publicised corporate ethical and sustainability scandals have led to a call from the public for big companies to be more socially responsible and act in a transparent and ethical manner. This module will enable you as a future business leader to understand the importance of responsible business, as well as encouraging you to consider a broad range of sustainability challenges you may when making decisions for the good of stakeholders internal and external to an organisation.
Your learning is achieved via a series of coherent lectures & seminars. The aim is to create a friendly, highly interactive and inclusive learning environment including a range of diverse learning activities. In addition to knowledge generation this approach will enable you to further develop transferable skills essential for success at both university and in the world of work: personal confidence, teamwork & collaboration, self-management and independent learning. You will be assessed through a combination of debates/presentations and coursework, which will equip you with the transferable skills required for your programme and future employment. Above all, this module will stimulate your curiosity as to how business can be a force for good in making the world a better place