COURSE OUTLINE
BUSN 201 (CC04) Introduction to Sustainable Business
Fall 2023
INSTRUCTOR
Assistant Professor, Dr. Carlos Freire-Gibb
CONTACT INFORMATION
Office: Room 5-252J
MacEwan Phone: 780-497-4108
MacEwan Email: carlos.freiregibb@macewan.ca
MacEwan’s Digital Learning Environment: https://meskanas.macewan.ca
OFFICE HOURS
By Appointment (online or in person), and Days and Times: Tue. & Thur.: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
CLASS FORMAT
Delivery Method: On Campus
Delivery Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00 to 3:20 p.m.
Location: Room 5-259. Designated learning spaces are listed online through myStudentSystem.
First Class and Last Class: Sep 7 and Dec 7, 2023
Final Exam Period: December 10–17
A personalized final exam schedule is available online through myStudentSystem .
COURSE HOURS
45 (Lecture)
COURSE CREDITS
3 Credits
COURSE PREREQUISITES
None
BUSN 201 (CC04) Introduction to Sustainable Business
Department of International Business, Marketing, Strategy, and Law
Fall 2023
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is an interdisciplinary cornerstone course, based on the premise that responsible leadership and
effective management requires an understanding of business and its substantive disciplines, how a
sustainable business is run and how emerging issues in business can be addressed from a sustainability
perspective.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Discuss the role of a sustainable business in today’s society.
2. Distinguish how various functional areas of a company operate independently and work together
to manage a sustainable business.
3. Apply and evaluate basic concepts of strategic planning, marketing, Human Resources (HR),
Supply Chain Management (SCM) and operations, and accounting/finance, particularly from a
sustainability perspective.
4. Identify ethical issues and sustainability-oriented opportunities encountered by decision makers.
5. Describe the challenges of entrepreneurship and small business management, as well as the role
of the nonprofit sector and government in the Canadian economy.
6. Demonstrate analytical, communication, and teamwork skills.
TEXTBOOKS AND/OR LEARNING MATERIALS
•
Textbook: Garry Bissonette (2020) Business: Strategy, Development, Application, 3rd
Canadian edition, McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 9781259654916
•
All other required materials will be available via mêskanâs.
EVALUATION
The final mark will be based on a total of 100 points allocated as follows:
Assignments/Exams
LinkedIn/SWOT Assignment
Group project (Two deliverables: D1:10%; D2:40%)
Midterm exam
Final exam
Peer and self-assessment (5% each)
Total
Weight
5%
50%
15%
20%
10%
100%
Detailed information about each assignment can be found in mêskanâs. Opportunities for bonus points
may be available.
MacEwan University School of Business
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BUSN 201 (CC04) Introduction to Sustainable Business
Department of International Business, Marketing, Strategy, and Law
Fall 2023
MISSED DEADLINES/ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE
1. Assignments submitted after the due dates will receive a grade of zero if the student has not
received prior permission to hand them in late from the instructor.
2. Midterm exams will be marked, and results made available to students within two weeks under
normal circumstances.
3. A temporary grade of IN may be assigned if a portion of required coursework has not been
completed and evaluated by the timeline as indicated in the course outline. A student may request
an Incomplete Grade by consulting the instructor and submitting the applicable form, available
from the Office of the University Registrar, to the instructor. A request for Incomplete must be
made within fifteen (15) calendar days of the course end date. For further information, please
refer to MacEwan’s Grading Procedures Policy.
4. Students must be available for final exams for courses in which they are registered. You are
responsible for accessing and confirming the official date, time, duration and location of the final
exam online through myStudentSystem. For further information, see MacEwan’s Student
Assessments Policy.
5. Students who are unable to write a supervised exam at the scheduled time must notify their
instructor no later than two working days after the exam that they intend to or have requested a
deferral. Students are encouraged to review the Student Deferrals Procedure Policy.
6. If you miss an exam, an application for a deferred examination must be made using the Deferred
Examination Request form no later than two working days after the missed exam. Students can
access the form at https://www.macewan.ca/campus-life/exam-services-centre/deferred-exams/.
Students can submit the completed application directly to Exam Services at
exambooking@macewan.ca or forward it to the Exam Services Centre in Room 7-198. Approval
for a deferred examination rests with the Exam Services Centre.
7. Only compelling Exceptional Circumstances including, but not limited to, serious illness,
hospitalization, domestic affliction, or religious observance will be considered valid reasons for
students to receive approval for deferred examinations. No other accommodation will be provided
except in extraordinary circumstances.
8. Exam Services will work with the student to schedule the exam. If approved, the student,
instructor, and department chair will be notified via email with the new writing date and time. A
$75 deferred exam fee will be applied to the student’s account after writing the exam. Ensure
fees are paid via myStudentSystem or at the Office of the University Registrar following the
exam.
FINAL GRADE/GRADING CRITERIA
The official grading system at MacEwan University is the 12-point letter grade system. While instructors
may use percentages to aid in their grade development, percentages are not part of MacEwan University’s
official grading system. Please see the Grading Policy.
MacEwan University School of Business
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BUSN 201 (CC04) Introduction to Sustainable Business
Department of International Business, Marketing, Strategy, and Law
Fall 2023
Your final grade will be determined using the following scale:
Letter Grade
Grade Point Value
Grade Descriptors
Percentages
A+
4.0
Outstanding
95-100%
A
4.0
Excellent
90-94.99%
A-
3.7
B+
3.3
B
3.0
75-79.99%
B-
2.7
70-74.99%
C+
2.3
C
2.0
61-64.99%
C-
1.7
57-60.99%
D+
1.3
D
1.0
F
0.0
85-89.99%
Good
Satisfactory
Poor
80-84.99%
65-69.99%
53-56.99%
50-52.99%
Fail
0-49.99%
STUDENT CONCERNS ABOUT CONTENT OR CONDUCT
Any concerns or issues that a student has with the course content and/or the course instructor should be
discussed personally with the instructor to resolve any differences that may exist. See the Student Code of
Conduct Policy. Further, please be advised that instructors will not discuss concerns regarding other
instructors and that students will be directed to discuss their concerns with the instructor in question, in
person.
APPEALS
See Student Appeals. Please note anything that has its own appeals policy (e.g., Student Academic
Integrity Policy, Grading, Student Non-Academic Misconduct) is exempt from the Appeals Policy.
RE-EVALUATION OF MARKS
MacEwan Grading Procedure (Section 3.8) states that if a student feels an error has been made on the
evaluation of submitted course work, the student is required to first contact the instructor via email, within
four (4) business days of the mark being released. The instructor shall respond within four (4) business
days. If unresolved and the student has reason to believe the mark has been unfairly assessed, then the
student may apply for a reassessment for any submitted assessment, which constitutes at least 10% of the
final course grade. Requests for reassessment must be submitted to the applicable department chair (or
designate) within four (4) business days of the instructor sending a response to the student. The student
must complete and submit the request form, available from the Office of the University Registrar Forms
Cabinet. The department chair will make the decision to approve or decline a re-evaluation of marks
request.
MacEwan University School of Business
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BUSN 201 (CC04) Introduction to Sustainable Business
Department of International Business, Marketing, Strategy, and Law
Fall 2023
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are responsible for understanding the Student Academic Integrity Policy and what constitutes
academic misconduct. All incidents of academic misconduct, as outlined in the policy, are reported and
recorded by the Academic Integrity Office. Information and resources are available on MacEwan's
Academic Integrity Website.
MacEwan’s Academic Integrity Policy promotes honesty, fairness, respect, trust, and responsibility in all
academic work. The policy defines academic misconduct as the following: “Participating in acts by which
a person gains or attempts to gain an unfair academic advantage thereby compromising the integrity of the
academic process,” including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cheating
Plagiarism
improper collaboration
fabrication and falsification
assisting others in dishonest behaviour
obtaining an unfair advantage
multiple submission
contract cheating – a form of severe academic misconduct consisting of outsourcing or attempting
to outsource academic work to a third party
All procedures and results from an Academic Misconduct incident can be found in the Academic
Misconduct Procedure Policy.
WITHDRAWALS
If you decide not to attend MacEwan University or want to withdraw from a specific course, you must
formally withdraw by dropping your class(es) online through myStudentSystem. The deadlines for
dropping and withdrawing from classes are listed in the Academic Schedule. Missing these deadlines will
have financial and academic implications. Non-attendance, notifying your instructor, or non-payment will
not constitute withdrawal. You will be held responsible for all fees incurred.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE
To remain in good standing, a student must have an overall Program GPA of 2.0. A GPA of less than 2.0
may result in academic probation or withdrawal from the program. It is the responsibility of each student
to monitor their GPA and the number of times they have repeated a course.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Please see the Human Rights and Accessibility Policy and Students with Disabilities Procedure Policy.
Students who require special accommodation in this course due to a disability and/or medical condition
are advised to discuss their needs with Access and Disability Resources (ADR).
MacEwan University School of Business
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BUSN 201 (CC04) Introduction to Sustainable Business
Department of International Business, Marketing, Strategy, and Law
Fall 2023
CLASS SCHEDULE:
This schedule is intended solely as a guide and may be subject to changes based on arising circumstances.
For detailed explanations of assignments, please refer to the information provided below and consult the
mêskanâs.
Week
Month
Topic
Book
Chapters
Activities, Assignments
Read Syllabus.
Self assesment
6 to 8
Intro
11 to 15
From Corner Store to Corporate
1
LinkedIn/SWOT due 15 Sep
18 to 22
Sustainability and Ethics
4&5
Group Formation.
Group charter due 22 Sep
4
25 to 29
Group Project
5
2 to 6
Marketing
10 & 11
6
9 to 13
Strategy & Entrepreneurship
6&7
16 to 20
Business Structure, Culture and
Talent
8&9
8
23 to 27
MIDTERM EXAM
9
30 Oct to
3 Nov
Accounting & Finance
13 & 14
Mid Self-Assessment due
20 Oct
10
6 to 10
Operations & Supply Chain
Management
12
D2 proposal due 6 Nov
13 to 17
READING WEEK
20 to 24
International Business vs.
Canadian Business
7
11
12
OCTOBER
3
NOVEMBER
2
SEPTEMBER
1
Days
27 Nov to
1 Dec
14
15
DECEMBER
13
4 to 8
10 to 17
D2
FINAL PRESENTATIONS
D1 proposal due 1 Oct
Meetings to approve D1
proposal
Presentations of D1 in-class
Midterm on 26 Oct
No Class
2&3
(parts)
D2 (written report) due
27 Nov
Peer and self assesment due
8 Dec
FINAL EXAM
Note: Dates for assignments and topics may change; notifications will be given in class or online. The
instructor may adjust topics based on class progress. Assignments labelled ‘due’ with a date are expected
by 11:59 PM. Unless noted, submit assignments through mêskanâs.
Slides for each topic will be uploaded weekly to mêskanâs.
MacEwan University School of Business
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BUSN 201 (CC04) Introduction to Sustainable Business
Department of International Business, Marketing, Strategy, and Law
Fall 2023
EXPLANATION OF ASSIGNMENTS
The performance of students will be evaluated based on a balanced mix of individual (45%) and group
(55%) activities. To achieve excellent results in this course, a student must demonstrate a consistent
commitment to individual performance and exhibit a groupwork spirit.
Each participant will be assigned to an indivisible team for the term project and other groupworks. These
group activities will run in parallel through the term. An explanation of individual and group activities is
provided below, and further information is provided in mêskanâs.
Midterm (15%) and final (20%) exams (individual)
These assessments will contain various types of questions, such as multiple choice and open questions.
They will assess the knowledge acquired by the student through the reading of pre-assigned book
chapters, projects, learning from in-class discussions, and other activities. Midterm exam will be
administered in a session of the class. The midterm exam will be an open book exam.
Further information and refer to the announcements for the dates and materials covered in these tests.
Group Project (50%)
It is formed by two deliverables. Deliverable 1 (10% of the final grade) and Deliverable 2 (40%). Both
deliverables must be aligned with the Learning Outcomes.
•
Deliverable 1 (D1):
In-Class presentation: A 3-minute presentation detailing an organization's innovation processes and
their congruence with Learning Outcomes.
Written Report: Not required for D1.
•
Deliverable 2 (D2):
Written Report (15 points): Students must choose between:
Option A: Recommendations to refine an organization's innovation process related to the Learning
Outcomes. Length: 12-17 pages.
Option B: Business Plan Design. Deliverables consist of a Business Model Canvas (or an approved 1page model) with an accompanying report of 10-15 pages.
In-Class Presentation (25 points): A comprehensive 10-minute presentation elucidating the selected
topic.
Research Methodology for D2: Primary research, which encompasses interviews with pertinent
stakeholders (e.g., business owners, managers), is essential. This should be complemented with secondary
research, both qualitative and quantitative, to support the depth of analysis.
Evaluation Criteria for the In-class presentations: For both presentations, but particularly for D2,
Clarity is assessed by gauging the logical flow and understandability. Engaging the Audience focuses on
interaction and the use of visuals. Time Management is evaluated based on the effective use of the
allocated 10 minutes. Teamwork is determined by group cohesion and balanced input. A ‘Fail’ category
applies to performances that don’t meet basic standards. Feedback from both instructors and peers will be
provided. Check mêskanâs for the rubric and further details.
MacEwan University School of Business
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BUSN 201 (CC04) Introduction to Sustainable Business
Department of International Business, Marketing, Strategy, and Law
Fall 2023
Peer evaluations (5%)
Blind peer evaluations serve to calibrate individual grades in alignment with each student's contribution to
the group, thereby promoting effective collaboration. Groups should formulate a Charter to clarify roles
and expectations. Near the course's conclusion, students must assess their group members using a
provided template. Failure to submit these evaluations on time will incur a zero for the student's own
assessment. All evaluations are confidential, with only average scores disclosed to individuals.
Self-Assessment of Participation (5%)
Students must conduct a self-assessment of their class and group participation. This exercise fosters
personal development and enhances teamwork. A template will be provided for reflective analysis,
strengths identification, and improvement planning. Peer evaluations may be conducted periodically
during class. Late submissions will not be accepted.
LinkedIn Profile and Individual SWOT (5%)
Create a LinkedIn profile as a tool for professional networking and career advancement. You will also be
required to perform a SWOT analysis assessing your professional standing. Suggestions for improvement
should also be included.
CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT GROUP WORK
Conflict Resolution: Teams are required to establish a well-defined charter and resolve internal issues
promptly. If problems persist despite internal feedback, consult the instructor immediately. A charter
template can be found in mêskanâs.
Team Formation: Teams will be created by the instructor. Post-formation changes in team combinations
will not be accommodated.
Self-Management: Teams are expected to self-coordinate. The instructor will generally refrain from
intervening in intra-team issues.
Team Size: The set team size for this course is four members. Teams with fewer than four members,
owing to withdrawals or other factors, may receive special accommodation at the instructor's discretion.
Grading Disparity: Individual marks within group assignments may vary based on the self, peer and
instructor’s assessment.
OTHER COURSE RULES
Use of Electronic Devices in Class: While electronic devices are invaluable tools for education, their
improper use can disrupt the learning environment. Therefore, these devices should be used exclusively
for class-related activities. Such restrictions are based on empirical evidence highlighting the detrimental
effects of distractions on academic engagement and the need to maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect
and focused learning. Please ensure that device use is constructive and aligned with course objectives.
Assignment Submission: Unless otherwise specified in writing, submit all assignments via mêskanâs.
Submission issues not verified by the tech support team will not be considered valid excuses.
MacEwan University School of Business
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BUSN 201 (CC04) Introduction to Sustainable Business
Department of International Business, Marketing, Strategy, and Law
Fall 2023
Email Communication: The instructor aims to respond to student emails within one business day. Avoid
last-minute queries and adhere to professional communication rules and email etiquette as outlined by the
Writing and Learning Center. The professor usually answers emails during the mornings.
Sharing Material: Distributing exam questions or solutions—whether yours, the instructor’s, or a fellow
student’s—is strictly prohibited. Please review Academic Integrity policies.
Recording Policy: Students may not record lectures, discussions, or activities without prior written
approval from the instructor. Approved recordings are for the student's private use only.
MacEwan University School of Business
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