Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The main objective of this course is to foster students understanding about the possibilities and challenges of accounting for corporate sustainability practices in terms of reporting, assuring, and measuring outcomes.
After completing the course, students will be able to
- understand the role of accounting for corporate sustainability, and the relevant concepts within corporate sustainability from the accounting perspective
- understand and apply relevant sustainability reporting frameworks, such as GRI, SASB, and Integrated Reporting
- critically analyze environmental, social and economic sustainability reporting and initiatives of an organization
- understand the role of sustainability reporting assurance
- understand the assumptions guiding corporate greenhouse gas accounting and respective indicators of carbon footprint.
- identify SASB financially material issues and respective performance indicators
- evaluate responsible investments and ESG ratings
Implicit to its leaning objectives, this course also aims to improve students skills related to communicate ideas clearly, concisely, logically and effectively both verbally and in writing.
Credits: 6
Schedule: 09.11.2017 - 07.12.2017
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Emma-Riikka Myllymäki
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Hanna Silvola
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The course covers both the key concepts and the practice of corporate sustainability in the modern organization, with a focus on external reporting (e.g. sustainability reporting) and performance assessment (e.g. ESG ratings). Through various teaching materials and learning activities, students will be encouraged to apply sustainability frameworks to business practice, and to critically evaluate the processes of reporting and accountability in organization's sustainable development. This course, therefore, aims to offer a holistic and comprehensive approach to study accounting for sustainability. Intensive participation on lectures is necessary in order to succeed the course.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Grounds for evaluation: examination, team assignments, and individual assignments
Weight of the exam on the course is max 40%.
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Total 160 h, including
- Contact teaching
- Independent studying
- Exam (3h)
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Readings will be announced in the syllabus.
Substitutes for Courses
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
22E29000 Corporate Sustainability Reporting, 22C00700 Yhteiskuntavastuuraportointi.
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Introduction to Accounting (22A00110) or comparable course at another university.
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
13 Climate Action
- Teacher: Emma-Riikka Myllymäki
- Teacher: Eduardo Schiehll