| Unit name | Corporate Power, Corporate Crime and Corporate Harms |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOL20070 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Fooks |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important
This unit brings together two of the most important issues in the social sciences today – the emergence of the corporation as the main organising institution in contemporary societies and the increasing inability of nation states to mitigate the crime and harms that corporations cause. The key questions addressed in the module are set within the cross-disciplinary body of knowledge that looks at the influence of corporations on public policy. The lectures will examine the mechanisms through which corporate power works, explore the relationship between corporate activities and different forms of crime and harm, and consider how political and public consent is won for ineffective forms of corporate regulation which reflect business interests rather than the broader public interest.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study [100 words]
This unit builds upon frameworks and approaches developed in previous units within the School for Policy Studies, principally 'Globalisation, Crime, Harm and Justice', 'Key Thinkers in Criminology', and 'Understanding Public Policy'. It will be an opportunity for students to apply this knowledge to critically analyse and understand corporate harms and power.
An overview of content
The unit explores corporate power and how it influences law-making and law- enforcement. You will study the key drivers of corporate crime/harm, along with their social impacts. You will also examine the basis of corporations’ structural and agency power, and corporate influence on the production and dissemination of science. The examination of the causes of corporate crime/harm will focus on organisational and structural factors, while investigation of the social impacts of corporate crime/harm will focus on the negative effects on human health, wellbeing, and the environment. Finally, you will examine the social responses to corporate harm, including public shaming and corporate sentencing.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will have gained a deeper understanding of how corporate power can be exercised and misused, helping you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical examples. You will also have developed enhanced critical thinking skills, allowing you to analyse the effects of different forms of power on policy and society. You will be able to evaluate information from various perspectives and understand the implications of corporate decisions on different constituencies – consumers, workers, the general public, and the environment. Finally, the unit may encourage you to stay informed about harmful corporate practices, empower you to advocate for responsible business practices and social justice, and contribute to ongoing discussions on corporate power and harm.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the unit, you will be able to:
Teaching will mainly be delivered through lectures and seminars or workshops. Learning will also involve independent learning through reading, completing practical activities, and reflective exercises.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare for summative tasks (formative)
Through readings and tasks including group work and seminar based interactive exercises, students will be introduced to a range of concepts and resources to support the summative assessment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
Essay (3000 words maximum, 100%)
This assessment covers all learning outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. This will comprise a task of the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOL20070).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
