vcc.ca
GNED 4260: Sustainability in Business
Effective date
September 2015
Department
Hospitality Management App Deg
School
Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business
Description
This course provides students opportunities to analyze current environmental changes and the ways in which people and the planet interact. Students critically examine a business case for sustainability in terms of providing solutions to today's environmental and social issues.
This course is part of the full-time Bachelor of Hospitality Management program.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
4th Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the key concepts of sustainability including environmental, economic and social aspects.
- Explain the factors contributing to major environmental changes at the international, national and local scale including biophysical changes in land, air, climate and water.
- Analyze the interactions between people and the physical environment including population dynamics, natural resource use, equity and wealth distribution and cross-cultural perspectives on the environment.
- Examine the business case for sustainability and the role it plays in the operation of a successful business.
- Explain the basic principles of ecological economics and the metrics and analytical methodologies used in corporate reporting.
- Apply problem-solving skills in developing recommendations to improve the sustainability performance of a business at a local scale.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
To learn more about the PLAR pathways for this course review the Bachelor of Hospitality Management Program Content Guide.
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 45
Total Hours: 45
Total Hours: 45
Instructional Strategies
Lectures, presentations, assigned readings, discussions, case studies, field trips, guest speakers.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
D
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
20 |
|
|
Participation |
20 |
Group discussions |
|
Project |
30 |
Sustainability Business Case Study |
|
Final Exam |
30 |
|
Course topics
- Key concepts in sustainability and sustainable development
- Understanding Environmental Change - forestry, food systems and land management
- Understanding Environmental Change - water and waste
- Understanding Environmental Change - climate and energy
- Human Interaction with the Environment - population and settlement, equity
- Human Interaction with the Environment - Sustainable Cities
- The Business Case for Sustainability
- Ecological Economics and Measuring Ecological Services
- Corporate Social Responsibility and the modern business
- Local Leadership - Sustainable Businesses in Vancouver
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.