COURSE NUMBER: EWMBA292C-11

COURSE TITLE: Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility

UNITS OF CREDIT:  1

INSTRUCTOR: Kevin Sweeney

E-MAIL ADDRESS: Kevin@transforming.biz

CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION: TBA

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: Two Sundays: February 7 and March 7, 9:00am to 5:00pm

PREREQUISITE(S): None

CLASS FORMAT: Mix of lectures, cases, discussions and exercises.  Sessions will be highly interactive.

REQUIRED READINGS: Mixture of articles and memos.

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: One short paper (35%) due February 25, one short paper (35%) due March 25, and class participation (30%).

ABSTRACT OF COURSE:
Many leading businesses understand that socially and environmentally responsible practices can be a source of competitive advantage and the means to long-term success – but they still wrestle with how to embed CSR into their day-to–day business operations.

This course covers the reasons why some companies embrace CSR, how they can best integrate CSR practices into their corporate strategies, and how they can use core competencies to create business value and positive social change.  The course explores transparency and stakeholder engagement approaches, and shows how an understanding of those tools can help companies meet challenges and embrace opportunities.  It explores advances companies have made in labor rights, environmental protection, and community development. The course will explore the changing expectations the public has of business and business leaders, and the changing dynamic between business, government and the social sector.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
Kevin Sweeney is a consultant engaged in renewable energy development and climate change communications.  He advises corporations on social and environmental issues, and helps companies with branding strategies. Clients have included Nike, Ford, HP, Chiquita, Rockefeller Family Fund, the Pew Charitable Trusts, numerous environmental NGOs, and many others.  He was a senior executive at Patagonia and chief of staff at the Alliance for Climate Protection. Held senior environmental positions in the Clinton Administration, worked as a staff member in both houses of Congress, was a press secretary on a presidential campaign, and was a television reporter.  See website: www.transforming.biz