Business, human rights law and corporate social responsibility
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This course considers the concepts of human rights and corporate social responsibility within a business context. In an environment where businesses are regarded as responsible and accountable for their actions you will explore how these concepts have been used to create frameworks of accountability. In particular you will consider the development of international labour standards, criminal liability (corruption and corporate manslaughter), branding and marketing, charitable foundations and a range of specialist industries through the use of business case studies. An interdisciplinary approach is taken throughout providing for more detailed consideration of the challenges faced by businesses in a globalised world.
Course facts
A postgraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Law.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | W822 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | Postgraduate |
| SCQF level | 11 |
| FHEQ level | 7 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
In this 30-credit course you will use case studies to consider the impact of the development of a framework of human rights obligations on the operation of business in an international context. You will consider company policies of corporate social responsibility, including the nature and extent of voluntarism shown by companies in devising them. This course will appeal to an international audience with an interest in human rights law and in the culture and behaviour of companies and their responsiveness to the changing external environment. It is a core module in the new LLM Master of Laws (F64).
Topics covered include: human rights regulatory frameworks; marketing, brands and reputation; labour standards; injury, death and business; trade in health; business and corruption; monitoring, enforcement and remedies. Examples and case studies are taken from various industrial sectors in different parts of the world.
You can take this course on its own or as part of a postgraduate qualification.
Entry
To register for this course you must have an honours degree from a UK university or equivalent. Various higher education and professional qualifications are considered equivalent to an honours degree. If you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK honours degree or if you lack formal academic qualifications but have relevant work experience, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
The course is taught in English, and your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you seek assessment under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
W822 is a compulsory module in our:
W822 is an optional module in our:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Development Management (D37)
- Master of Laws (F64)
- MBA (F61)
- MBA (Technology Management) (F03)
Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and diagrammatic or foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
Part of this course is delivered through a website and includes online activities. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to the Services for disabled students website about support which can be given to meet your needs.
If you are a new student, or new to study using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
A specially commissioned, edited, collection of chapters from leading experts will be provided as the Course Reader; study guide units will direct the student’s learning; plus a dedicated website.
You will need
W822 may use synchronous online tutorials in which case you will need a headset with microphone to participate in these tutorials.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor with whom you can communicate by email, telephone and post, who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Your tutor will also run online tutorials that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to take part in.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper. You must submit your end-of-module assessment (EMA) electronically.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in May and November 2012. We expect it to be available once a year after that, in November.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
Course facts
A postgraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Law.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | W822 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | Postgraduate |
| SCQF level | 11 |
| FHEQ level | 7 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Course
- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credits
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Your questions
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Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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