SUBJECT INFO PDF
21895 Business and Social Impact
Subject information Detail
Delivery Autumn Session:On campus – Weekly
Total workload hours 150 hours
Credit points 6
Result type Grade and marks
Subject description
Explore how to contribute positively to society and the environment through this subject, designed to
prepare you for the increasing demands of socially responsible leadership. You’ll develop a multifaceted
understanding of global challenges like climate change and social inequalities, and gain skills in areas
such as accounting, economics, and management, all through the lens of sustainability and fairness.
Your learning will be interactive, focusing on collaboration with diverse stakeholders to drive meaningful
change, ensuring you’re ready to meet the expectations of modern employers and society.
Subject learning outcomes (SLOs)
1. Analyse the current forms, structural causes and social and environmental effects of a range of
challenges facing society
2. Apply knowledge of social impact in professional practice
3. Evaluate existing business social impact initiatives
4. Critically reflect on how organisations work with and for Indigenous peoples and make a positive
social impact
5. Communicate a critical argument with clear evidence-based reasoning
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is taught in a blended format on a weekly basis which includes a combination of pre recorded content and collaborative face-to-face tutorials. Online content will be designed to equip
students with an appropriate level of background knowledge on different stakeholder perspectives on the
relationship between business and its social, ecological and economic environments. It is expected that
students have familiarised themselves with this content available via Canvas prior to tutorials so that they
are prepared to participate in class discussion and problem-solving exercises.
Tutorials are designed to offer active learning experiences. Students will work collaboratively on tasks
including problem-based scenarios and case study analyses. There will be opportunities to work with
their peers on the assessment of existing business approaches to social impact and sustainable
development, as well as to debate their own evolving views on what it means to be a responsible
business leader. Tutorials will revolve around problem-based learning strategies that involve the students
in researching and developing their own/group solutions to complex problems/scenarios.
In-class feedback on learning activities will be provided by the teaching staff from week 2 onwards,
allowing students the opportunity to gain early formative feedback.
An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication
skills in order to succeed at university and in the workplace. To determine your current academic
language proficiency, you are required to complete an online language screening task, OPELA
(information available at https://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/learning-and teaching/enhancing/language-and-learning/about-opela-students (https://www.uts.edu.au/research and-teaching/learning-and-teaching/enhancing/language-and-learning/about-opela-students) ) [or a written
diagnostic task]. If you receive a Basic grade for OPELA [or the written diagnostic task], you must attend
additional Language Development Tutorials (each week from week [3/4] to week [11/12] in order to pass
the subject. These tutorials are designed to support you to develop your language and communication
skills. Students who do not complete the OPELA and/or do not attend 80% of the Language Development
Tutorials will receive a Fail X grade.
Content (topics)
Defining and evaluating social impact
Indigenous perspectives and cultural knowledge
Corporations and society
Critiquing business ethics and corporate social responsibility
Historical and contemporary perspectives of sustainable development
Personal mission-making
Equality, inclusion and diversity
Required and recommended texts
All required and recommended texts for this subject are contained in the Reading List
(https://canvas.uts.edu.au/courses/35716/external_tools/3222) which you can access from the Canvas site
menu.
Other required resources
If you have concerns about affording the course-related costs for this subject, UTS Financial Assistance
(https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/financial-help/financial-assistance-service) can help you
plan ahead or apply for grants or interest-free loans.
Questions and concerns
Please reach out to your Subject Coordinator with any questions or concerns you have regarding
this subject. You can find your Subject Coordinator’s details on the Your teaching staff page in the
Get Started Module.
Assessment general information
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
It is a requirement of this subject that all students complete OPELA [or a written diagnostic task].
Students who received a Basic grade in the OPELA [or the written diagnostic task] are required to attend
80% of the Language Development Tutorials in order to pass the subject. Students who do not complete
the OPELA and/or do not attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials will receive a Fail X grade.
Assessment task 1: Social Impact Case Study
Assessment
Information
Detail
Description In this thought-provoking assessment, you will embark on a journey of self-discovery
and critical analysis, exploring the intersection of their personal values, societal needs,
and the evolving role of business in addressing global challenges.
Learning
Outcome
SLO1 Analyse the current forms, structural causes and social and environmental
effects of a range of challenges facing society
SLO4 Critically reflect on how organisations work with and for Indigenous peoples
and make a positive social impact
SLO5 Communicate a critical argument with clear evidence-based reasoning
Type Case study
Groupwork Individual
Weight 40%
Length 1000 words
Assessment
Criteria:
Criteria Weighting Linked SLOs
In this assessment, you
will be assessed on the
following criteria:
Quality of analysis
and appropriateness
of the
recommendations
Extent, depth and
relevance of research
undertaken
Evidence of critical
reflection
Professional written
presentation
Assessing initiatives
toward reconciliation
and social impact and
reflecting on how this
impacts future
professional practice
as a manager.
%
Detailed assessment
information, including
mapping to subject
learning outcomes, is
provided in the
Assignments link in the
Canvas subject menu.
Assessment
feedback
Assessment task 2: Social Impact Investigation
Assessment
Information
Detail
Description In this group assessment, you will work in groups will to conduct a thorough and critical
analysis of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report from a chosen company.
The task requires a deep dive into the report’s content, context, and implications,
challenging students to look beyond surface-level information and consider the broader
impact of the company’s actions.
Learning
Outcome
SLO2 Apply knowledge of social impact in professional practice
SLO3 Evaluate existing business social impact initiatives
SLO5 Communicate a critical argument with clear evidence-based reasoning
Type Presentation
Groupwork Group, group assessed
Weight 30%
Length 10 minute team presentation and 5 min Q&A
Assessment
Criteria:
Criteria Weighting Linked SLOs
In this assessment, the
group will be assessed
on the following criteria:
Critical evaluation of
the the social impact
initiative
Extent, depth, and
relevance of research
undertaken
Cohesion of the group
delivery
Clarity and
effectiveness of
presentation including
the use of visual aids
%
Detailed assessment
information, including
mapping to subject
learning outcomes, is
provided in the
Assignments link in the
Canvas subject menu.
Assessment
feedback
Assessment task 3: Critical Media Analysis of Social Impact
Assessment
Information
Detail
Description In this individual assessment, you will apply your understanding of key concepts
covered in the subject to analyze a real-world social impact scenario. The task involves
selecting and critically examining a case study of an individual or social movement that
aims to deliver positive social impact.
This assessment will be assessed for English language proficiency. You will be directed
to further language support after the completion of this subject if your language is below
the required standard.
Learning
Outcome
SLO1 Analyse the current forms, structural causes and social and environmental
effects of a range of challenges facing society
SLO2 Apply knowledge of social impact in professional practice
SLO5 Communicate a critical argument with clear evidence-based reasoning
Type Report
Groupwork Individual
Weight 30%
Length 1200 words
Assessment
Criteria:
Criteria Weighting Linked SLOs
In this assessment, you
will be assessed on the
following criteria:
Understanding of key
concepts covered in
this subject
Ability to apply this
knowledge to real world scenarios
Quality of analysis of
the individual or social
movement
Evidence of critical
reflection
%
Detailed assessment
information, including
mapping to subject
learning outcomes, is
provided in the
Assignments link in the
Canvas subject menu.
Assessment
feedback
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is about demonstrating honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage in
your studies and assessments. Studying at UTS and being part of our community means maintaining
these values and acting with academic integrity at all times. Find out everything you need to know
about academic integrity at UTS (https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/academic support/academic-integrity) .
Assessment procedures
All staff and students involved in the assessment of coursework subjects at UTS are subject to the
Coursework Assessments Policy (https://www.uts.edu.au/about/uts-governance/policies/uts policy/coursework-assessments-policy) . The policy applies to the assessment of all coursework subjects.
This policy does not apply to thesis subjects that are taken by students enrolled in research degrees but
does apply to any coursework subjects undertaken by research degree students. It does not describe
policy that relates to academic progression through a course of study. The policy should be read with the
Coursework Assessments Procedure (https://www.uts.edu.au/about/uts-governance/policies/uts policy/coursework-assessments-procedure) and Student Rules. (https://www.uts.edu.au/node/1692/)