Course Syllabus: BUS 201 – Business and Society
Course Overview
Course Description
BUS 201 examines the dynamic relationship between business organizations and society. Students analyze corporate social responsibility, stakeholder theory, regulatory environments, ethical decision-making, and the role of business in promoting sustainable economic and social value.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- CLO 1: Analyze stakeholder relationships and corporate social responsibility frameworks.
- CLO 2: Evaluate the impact of government regulation and public policy on business operations.
- CLO 3: Apply ethical reasoning to contemporary business dilemmas in diverse cultural contexts.
- CLO 4: Assess globalization, sustainability, and ESG reporting in strategic business decisions.
- CLO 5: Develop a stakeholder impact analysis aligned with DEAC academic integrity standards.
Instructional Framework & Weekly Outline
1. Week 1: Business in Society Foundations
Focus: Conceptual Framework
Topics Covered: Capitalism and social contract; Stakeholder vs. shareholder models
Required Reading: Text Ch. 1–2: Business and Its Environment
Assignments:
- Discussion: Define Your Stakeholder Map
- Concept Quiz
2. Week 2: Corporate Social Responsibility
Focus: CSR & Shared Value
Topics Covered: CSR tiers; Creating shared value; Triple bottom line
Required Reading: Selected CSR case readings
Assignments:
- Discussion: CSR vs. Profit
- CSR Initiative Proposal Outline
3. Week 3: Government, Regulation & Public Policy
Focus: Institutional Context
Topics Covered: Regulatory agencies; Lobbying and advocacy; Compliance
Required Reading: Text Ch. 5: Government and Business
Assignments:
- Discussion: Regulation Case
- Policy Brief (2 pages)
4. Week 4: Business Ethics in Society
Focus: Ethical Integration
Topics Covered: Ethical culture; Codes of conduct; Enforcement
Required Reading: Ethics in Organizations reader
Assignments:
- Discussion: Ethical Failure Case
- Ethics Policy Analysis
5. Week 5: Globalization & Cultural Impact
Focus: Global Context
Topics Covered: Multinational operations; Cultural relativism; Labor standards
Required Reading: Global Business & Society Ch. 3–4
Assignments:
- Discussion: Global Supply Chain Dilemma
- Cross-Cultural Comparison Memo
6. Week 6: Sustainability & ESG
Focus: Environmental Stewardship
Topics Covered: ESG reporting; Climate risk; Circular economy
Required Reading: Sustainability frameworks (GRI/SASB overview)
Assignments:
- Discussion: Greenwashing vs. Authentic ESG
- ESG Scorecard Exercise
7. Week 7: Corporate Governance & Accountability
Focus: Board & Leadership
Topics Covered: Board structure; Executive compensation; Transparency
Required Reading: Governance best practices reader
Assignments:
- Discussion: Governance Failure
- Board Accountability Brief
8. Week 8: Capstone — Stakeholder Impact Analysis
Focus: Synthesis
Topics Covered: Integrated stakeholder model; Recommendations; Reflection
Required Reading: Full course review
Assignments:
- Discussion: Capstone Reflection
- Stakeholder Impact Report (Capstone)
- Proctored Final Exam
Grading Criteria & Evaluation Metrics
| Assessment Category | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Discussion Forums (8×) | 25% | Substantive initial post plus peer responses each week. |
| Quizzes & Objective Assessments (2×) | 15% | LMS proficiency, concept checks, and policy compliance. |
| Weekly Skills Deliverables (4×) | 35% | Applied assignments aligned to course learning outcomes. |
| Final Examination / Capstone | 25% | Comprehensive assessment; minimum 70% required to pass. |
Standard U.S. higher education grading scale applies (A–F). Final examination minimum 70% required for course completion per CCU academic policy.
Blueprint for LMS Course Architecture
When setting up this course inside the LMS backend, use the following layout for clean UI/UX:
[CCU-BUS201] COURSE ROOT │ ├── 📂 Course Introduction & Start Here (Module 0) │ ├── 📄 Welcome Video from the Dean/Instructor │ ├── 📄 Master Syllabus (PDF Download) │ ├── 📄 Academic Integrity Pledge (Required Verification) │ └── 💬 Student Lounge (Social Forum) │ ├── 📂 Week 1 … Week 8 Modules │ ├── 📄 Overview & Learning Objectives │ ├── 🔗 Required Readings & Media Lecture Links │ ├── 💬 Discussion Board │ └── 📝 Quiz / Weekly Deliverable │ └── 📂 Final Exam & Course Completion
Instructor Best Practice: Require Module 0 (Start Here) and Academic Integrity Pledge at 100% before unlocking Week 1 content.