COURSE SYLLABUS
1. COURSE NUMBER: STH 201
2. COURSE TITLE: Corporate Social Responsibility & Change Management
3. CLASSROOM/MEETIMG TIME: Bryan 112/Tuesday and Thursday, 8-9:15am
4. CREDITS: 3
5. PREREQUISITES: None
6. FOR WHOM PLANNED: Students in any field at UNCG
7. INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Zachary Cole
Email: zdcole@uncg.edu
Twitter: @drzcole
Facebook: Doc Cole
Office: Bryan 471
Office Hours*: T/Th 11 am – 12:30 pm
*I am in quite a bit; just give me a heads up if you plan on stopping by (I can make
appointments, too)
8. CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Students explore how stakeholders define, measure, and
assign value to corporate efforts in social responsibility. Skill development in managing
change and innovation, stakeholder partnerships, social media, and volunteerism.
9. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Define the ethical framework that underpins CSR.
2. Describe the connections between corporate strategy and CSR, particularly the
relationship of CSR to organizational mission and vision.
3. Identify trade-offs that exist in the area of CSR for organizations and for individuals.
4. Explain how CSR can be a source of competitive advantage.
5. Demonstrate a multi-stakeholder perspective in summarizing CSR issues.
6. Appraise the level of commitment to CSR of a sample of organizations.
7. Justify investment in stakeholder partnerships, social media, and volunteerism to
support CSR goals.
8. Assess plans for developing, implementing, and evaluating a CSR program.
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10. TEACHING METHODS



Written, audio/visual, or other materials made available through assigned texts and additional
readings posted to BlackBoard or through online mediums (i.e. Facebook, Twitter).
Virtual and face-to-face lectures, student presentations, debates and discussions will be used
on an ongoing basis. Active and problem-based learning is emphasized.
Students are expected to plan and take responsibility for self-studies, including reading
assigned course literature, and structuring and completing assigned written tasks.
11. EVALUATION AND GRADING:
Assignment/Activity
Points Possible
2 Exams*
100
Case Analysis**
100
T/H Sector Website**
100
Discovery Exercises*
~150-250
Participation and Enthusiasm
Total
*see description below
**see description posted to Blackboard
100
~550-650 points
Exams (50 x 2 = 100 points):
To evaluate student understanding of the key concepts and terms discussed and used in class, two
exams will be given. The exams will be on the material covered during the semester (in class, in
assigned readings, from peers, etc.). Exam questions will include a variety of formats: true/false,
multiple choice, short answer, short essay. Exam 1 will address SLOs 1-4; Exam 2 will address
SLOs 5-8.
Discovery Exercises:
To stimulate class discussions and critical thinking, the Professor will provide discussion
questions, case studies and/or exercises for either team or individual response. These will be a
combination of in class and online exercises. Exercises are designed to entice students to
read/watch assigned material, conduct further research, reflect, and integrate personal
experiences and opinions. During team Discovery Exercises, each team will develop a single
response and receive a team grade. All team members need to be listed in order to receive credit
when turning in a team response.
During team Discovery Exercises each student is expected to be a part of a team and fully
participate in all team exercises. There are no provisions for making up team Discovery
Exercises. All students should arrive by the start of class in order to receive credit for an in-class
exercise. NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE, PLEASE DO NOT ASK. For team Discovery
Exercises that require out-of-class meeting/organization, it is each student’s responsibility to find
a group if they were absent for the class period when teams were determined.
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Marks:
Students will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. To receive credit for the course,
students must earn a letter grade of D- or higher on the average of all assigned course work (e.g.,
exams, assignments, discovery exercises, etc.). All assignment and final grades in the course will
be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for percentage grades are as follows (example score
calculation: 100 point assignment – A- grade = 100 * 91.5% = 91.5 points)
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
=100%
= 95%
= 91.5%
= 88.5%
= 85%
= 81.5%
= 78.5%
C
CD+
D
DF
= 75%
= 71.5%
= 68.5%
= 65%
= 61.5%
= 55%
12. REQUIRED TEXTS:
Werther, W.B and D. Chandler (2011). Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Stakeholders
in a Global Environment, Second Edition. SAGE Publications, Inc. ISBN: 9781412974530
Mackey, J. and Sisodia, R. (2013). Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of
Business. Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation. ISBN: 9781422144206
13. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY:
Each student is required to sign the Academic Integrity Policy on all major work submitted
for the course. Refer to the UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin or go to:
http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/complete/
14. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to attend and participate in the class. There will be many in-class
activities (e.g. Discovery Exercises), case studies, presentations, etc. and students’
participation in them will be reflected in their final grade (via 100 Participation and
Enthusiasm points).
15. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
It is expected that all students arrive for class on time and come prepared. I strive to create a
learning environment that is conducive to open discussion and debate, where everyone’s
voice can be heard and given adequate attention. As such, it is beneficial that as a group we
seek to leave any preconceived notions, prejudices, and even life stresses at the door (at least
for the 75 minutes of class).
If at any time you have a question or have the need for assistance and/or information about
absolutely anything concerning the course, see the Professor as soon as possible.
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16. ELECTRONIC DEVICE EXPECTATIONS:
It is expected that all students turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices (except
laptops/tablets*) during class. Please refrain from texting during class; if this becomes a
problem you will be asked to leave class. Please reserve laptops use for note-taking in this
course, as hard as it is to do so. Checking Facebook/Twitter/etc., reading the newspaper,
and/or surfing the web class is generally discouraged. However, there may be times during
class activities where using those tools can be beneficial and even encouraged, so don’t be
surprised if you are asked to put them to use for the class.
***IT IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROFESSOR TO
REQUEST THAT LAPTOPS/TABLETS BE CLOSED/PUT AWAY
FOR ANY CLASS PERIOD OR PORTION OF A CLASS PERIOD
If at any time you have a question or have the need for assistance and/or information about
absolutely anything concerning the course, see the Professor as soon as possible.
17. LATE WORK:
25% off assignment score. Assignments must be submitted by the day and time they are due.
I will accept late assignments for one week after they are due, after which time none will be
accepted and a zero received for that assignment. Exams are required to be finished on the
date and time they are due, no exceptions.
18. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS:
Each student is required to adhere to the Academic Integrity Policy on all major work
submitted for the course. Refer to the UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin or go to:
http://sa.uncg.edu/dean/academic-integrity/
Students with documented disabilities requiring accommodation need to notify the instructor
at the beginning of the semester after first working with the Office of Accessibility Resources
and Services (http://ods.uncg.edu/student-services/ ).
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