The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shaw College
2010-2011, Summer Term
GESC2141 Selective Topics in Business – Singapore
Instructor:
Office:
Tel.:
E-mail:
Dr. Glos Ho
Room 844, Cheng Yu Tung Building
2696-1849
glosho@cuhk.edu.hk
1. COURSE CREDIT
2 Units
2. COURSE OBJECTIVE
This course aims to introduce the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
through company and organization visits in Singapore. It will include a general
overview of CSR, corporate governance, human resources management,
environmental management, consumer issues, community involvement and
communication practices. Students will be required to conduct a pre-trip
presentation on one of these topics to prepare their visits and a post-trip group report
to critically evaluate the CSR initiatives that are implemented in different companies
and/or organizations in Singapore.
3. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to:

Master the fundamental concept of Corporate Social Responsibility

Understand how different CSR initiatives are implemented in Singapore

Develop critical thinking and analytical ability through attending corporate
presentations, self-reflections and group project

Develop effective business communication and presentation skills
4. TRAVEL DATES
13 June 2011 (Mon) – 18 June 2011 (Sat)
5. PRE-TRIP LECTURES (Compulsory)
1 June 2011 (Wed)
2:30pm – 5:30pm
2 June 2011 (Thur)
2:30pm – 5:30pm
6. PRE-TRIP BRIEFINGS (Compulsory)
7 June 2011 (Fri)
1:200pm – 2:30pm
7. ASSESSMENTS
Pre-Trip Presentations
Individual Journals
Group Work
Performance
20% (7 June 2011)
20% (4 July 2011)
40% (4 July 2011)
20%
8. PRE-TRIP PRESENTATIONS (7 June 2011 (Tue), 2:30pm – 5:30pm)
In teams of 3-4, each team will be required to conduct a 20-minute presentation on
an assigned topic ranging from corporate governance, human resources management,
user
environmental management, consumer issues, community involvement and
communication practices. The presentation should include independent research of
the corporate culture in Singapore and their CSR initiatives in the assigned topic.
Each team should include a few questions that you would like to ask during the
company and/or organization visits.
9. INDIVIDUAL TRAVEL JOURNALS (Deadline: 4 July 2011)
Each student is encouraged to make your own observations throughout the entire
study trip in Singapore and prepare a 200-word travel journal on EACH company
and/or organizations that you have visited. The journal should focus on your own
reflection on issues related to CSR. You may include photographs.
10.
GROUP WORK: CSR NEWS (Deadline 4 July 2011)
In the same team of 3-4, each team will be required to collaboratively produce an
English news-article (approximately 1000 words) based on your understanding of an
assigned
topic
in
your
pre-trip
presentations
and
the
relevant
fieldworks/observations made during the study trip. Your news-article should
highlight a few CSR issues in Singapore that you believe would interest your fellow
Shaw students. You may include photographs.
11. COMPANY / ORGANZATION VISITS

Singapore Compact for CSR

Singapore Airlines

Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP)

Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS)

Senoko Power Station (Winner of Singapore CSR Award 2011)

PaperlinX Singapore (Winner of Singapore CSR Award 2011)
12. SUMMARY OF KEY DATES
Activity
Date
Time
Lecture I
Lecture II
Pre-Trip Briefing I
Presentation
Pre-Trip Briefing II
Assembly at Airport
Individual Journals
Group Report
1 June 2011 (Wed)
2 June 2011 (Thu)
1 June 2011 (Wed)
7 June 2011 (Tue)
7 June 2011 (Tue)
13 June 2011 (Mon)
4 July 2011 (Mon)
4 July 2011 (Mon)
2:30pm -5:30pm
2:30pm -5:30pm
1:20pm -2:30pm
2:30pm -5:30pm
1:20pm -2:30pm
Venue /
Remarks
13. SELECTED READINGS
Hartman, L. P. (2002). Perspectives in business ethics (2nd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Thorne, D. M. (2008). Business and society: a strategic approach to social
responsibility Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
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