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Course Outline

MGT712 Corporate Governance, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

Course Coordinator:Graham Bowrey (gbowrey@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2020ATMC Semester 3

USC Sydney

USC Melbourne

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course outlines different regulatory processes and ethical practices essential to an understanding of the principles of corporate governance and ethics in the contemporary business environment. It is designed to facilitate analysis of the regulatory influences on the behaviour of corporate executives, information disclosure and board functions/structures and to foster the growth and integration of candidates' knowledge of the ethical influences on the economic, financial, managerial, and environmental aspects of management. This course also critically analyses stakeholder participation in decision-making and the moral obligations of corporate managers.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Comprehend ethical corporate governance theory and demonstrate ethical conduct. Ethical
2 Identify and explain corporate governance issues, functions and structures. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
3 Compare and analyse the role of stakeholders and corporate managers' moral obligations in business decision making. Creative and critical thinker
4 Apply regulatory requirements to develop appropriate board and committee functions and structures. Empowered
Ethical
5 Analyse and explain economic, social and environmental sustainability to design and apply to business practice. Sustainability-focussed
6 Professional communication, both oral and written, of corporate government practice and frameworks. Engaged

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in any PGRD Program

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

MBA711 and MBA714 or EMB761 and EMB764

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Understanding of management, economics, marketing and accounting, as addressed in the pre-requisites.

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Students will be encouraged to actively engage in the workshop discussions and seek formative feedback from the lecturer on a weekly basis.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 20% 
22 Multiple Choice Questions
 Week 5 In Class
All 2 Oral Group 30% 
20 minutes (minimum)
 Refer to Format In Class
All 3 Report Individual 50% 
3,500 words maximum
 Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Online Test
Goal: 
To test your knowledge and understanding of corporate governance issues and regulatory requirements; and apply corporate governance best practice principles and recommendations related to appropriate business practice.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Format: 
Multiple Choice Questions In-class test 
Online Students:Further information will be provided on Blackboard
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Explanation of the rationale for corporate social responsibility - Ethical
2 
Identification of key aspects of stakeholder relationships
3 
Analysis of role of stakeholder/managers
4 
Correlation of key performance issues in the application of corporate social responsibility
5 
Assessment criteria are mapped to the course learning outcomes.
 1 2 3 4 5 6
All - Assessment Task 2:Corporate Governance and Ethics (Presentation)
Goal: 
Demonstrate professional oral presentation skills, while sharing your group's research on the business or corporate governance case study as it relates to social responsibility.
Product: Oral
Format: 
From week 7
Documentation to the course coordinator
See Blackboard for further instructions.

Online Students:Further information will be provided on Blackboard This task is being used for measuring assurance of learning towards Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation. It assesses:Program Learning Outcome (PLO) 1.2: Oral Communication: Demonstrate advanced oral communication skills in a business context.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Analysis of ethical perspective
2 
Synthesis of theory
3 
Evaluation of corporate social responsiveness
4 
Effective group functioning (with peer assessment)
5 
The PLO assessment aspects will address:  Engagement and response to the audience
6 
Structure of the presentation
7 
Clarity, logic and flow of arguments presented
8 
Depth and breadth of content.
9 
Use of appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication.
10 
Use of appropriate visual aids Ï Use of effective time management
All - Assessment Task 3:Corporate Governance and Ethics Case Study - Report
Goal: 
Demonstrate ability to critically appraise ethical corporate conduct and to report findings to improve practice in corporate social responsiveness by aligning with the United Natation Sustainability Goals and the Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRMEs).
Product: Report
Format: 
Written report (3,500 words)This task is being used for measuring assurance of learning towards Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation. It assesses:PLO4.1: Social Responsibility: Demonstrate a capacity for a socially responsible and sustainable approach to business decisions.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Synthesis of ethical theories.
2 
Professional Communication
3 
The PLO assessment aspects will address:  Knowledge and application of sustainability frameworks, theories and concepts and responsibilities in a business context. ·
4 
Knowledge and application of ethical frameworks, theories and concepts and responsibilities in a business context.
5 
Capacity to take on board diverse stakeholder interests in a business decision making context.
6 
Knowledge and application of the relevant legislation/standards/codes of conduct /universal principles associated with social responsibility, ethical conduct and sustainable practice in a business context.

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Carroll, Brown and Buchholtz 2018 Business & Society 10th edn Cengage Australia.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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