Faglig innhold

The pressure on business to take social responsibility has increased the last few decades. Globalization and other structural changes in society and economic life are parts of the reason for this development. Does a strengthening of corporate power mean an increased social responsibility for business? Or is the business realm free from moral responsibility in the pursuit of pure economic gains? This course aims at discussing the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from a philosophical and ethical perspective, focussing on the relationship between ethical reasoning and economic rationality.

Læringsutbytte

The course will provide the students with an overview of current normative theories on the social responsibility of business.

Læringsformer og aktiviteter

Lectures and plenary discussions. Information regarding the essay: Front page must contain course code, date and student id. The essay should be 10-12 pages long in 12 point Times New Roman, 1,5 line spacing. Date of submission will be announced.

Obligatoriske aktiviteter

• One supervision on the essay and 80% attendence in lectures and seminars.

Spesielle vilkår

Anbefalte forkunnskaper

Students must be admitted to the Erasmus Mundus programme "Master in Applied Ethics" or the Master's programme in Philosophy.

Kursmateriell

A compendium is available at Tapir bookstore, NTNU, Dragvoll campus.