The course examines the role of law and institutions in developing the modern-day concepts and practices of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER). Students on the course will explore CSR and CER adaptions within corporate law and governance, and consider the wider development of laws and institutions that support the "accountability" of companies and sustainable economic development.

The course equips students with knowledge and skills that they can apply in legal practice, government, civil society, industry, research, and academic sectors. The topics covered are international and comparative in their consideration of the concepts and practices of CSR, CER, and the 'new corporate accountability'.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the history, concept and practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate environmental responsibility (CER) in corporate law and governance. 

10 x 2 hour seminars in semester 2.

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The course is assessed by an essay of 1500 words (25%) and a 2 hour final examination (75%).

■ To provide students with an understanding of the history, concept and practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) the role of law and institutions in this area.

■ To enable students to reflect on the role of different stakeholders as well as different regulatory approaches in the practice of CSR and CER, and apply those insights to current governance issues both nationally and globally.

■ To provide opportunities for students to reflect on the multi-dimensional regulation and governance strategies entwined within CSR and CER and their bearing on corporate decision-making.

■ To enable students to explore the breadth of CSR and CER institutions and obligations within corporate, investment, private, and human rights law, and to evaluate the accountability of companies with reference to leading debates about the issues and legal reform.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the history, concept and practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate environmental responsibility (CER).

2. Identify and evaluate the different sources and institutions of CSR and CER within corporate law and governance, and critically evaluate the role of stakeholders and 'soft-law' and market discipline in CSR and CER.

3. Identify and analyze a wider range of legal frameworks and obligations concerned with the transnational governance of companies and corporate accountability in investment law, private law, and international human rights law.

4. Explain the normative and conceptual breadth of CSR and CER debates and issues and draw meaningful comparisons between different approaches to the subject in different jurisdictions.

5. Enter into and engage with current debates and reform proposals in CSR and CER, relating developments in law to domestic and global agenda for sustainable economic development, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.