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Corporate Social Responsibility - MAN00048H

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  • Department: The York Management School
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the conception, practices, and criticisms of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the conception, practices, and criticisms of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Focussing on the wider political, economic, and developmental context in which CSR emerged and is practiced, the module will introduce students to the varieties and concerns around practice of CSR, globally. It will also include discussion on the influential but less discussed business’ approaches to social responsibility: philanthrocapitalism, social investment bonds, and social entrepreneurship.

The module will be particularly useful for students interested in questions of social change and role of businesses in it; and considering careers in the non-profit sector, CSR foundations/divisions, and think-tanks.

It will be delivered through lectures and case-based discussion in workshops.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, the students will:

1/ gain an advanced understanding of the political economic and developmental context of CSR’s emergence and growing popularity

2/ develop a broad understanding of key concepts, approaches, and challenges in implementing CSR

3/ engage with criticisms of CSR from a wide-range of inter/disciplinary and theoretical perspectives

4/ interpret and critically evaluate CSR practice

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Module assessment reports to students are written by the module leader for all assessments (open and closed) and placed on the VLE after the Board of Examiners has received the module marks. 

Additionally, for open assignments students are given individual written feedback via The York Management School assignment feedback form.  The feedback form provides guidance on key areas for focusing upon improvements for future assessments, and ties module specific learning outcomes to marking criteria.  This form is normally provided after the relevant Board of Examiners meeting. 

Indicative reading

Andreas Rasche, Mette Morsing and Jeremy Moon (2017) Corporate Social Responsibility: Strategy, Communication, and Governance. Cambridge University Press.



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.