This module aims to:

Provide a broad perspective on the role of marketing in society, ethics and sustainability;

Encourage students to appreciate the role of marketing and business practice in the world today through examination of current trends including consumption patterns, sustainability, social responsibility, ethics and social choices;

Equip students with the skills and knowledge for their careers as marketers as they will be in a position to contribute to both their organisations and to society.

(LO1) Students will be able to critically evaluate the key trends that impact the contemporary relationship between marketing and society.

(LO2) Students will be able to assess the impact ethical issues have on the development of marketing ideologies, strategies, and practices.

(LO3) Students will be able to explore a range of topical ethical issues and critically analyse the role of marketing within these.

(LO4) Students will be able to critically appraise the ways in which marketing can be utilised to alleviate societal problems.

(LO5) Students will be able to apply different theoretical perspectives to practice and policy.

(LO6) Students will be able to display critical thinking skills in written and oral presentations, and construct an argument based on a wide reading of the academic literature.

(LO7) Students will be able to work in a collaborative team process to produce high-quality outputs.

(S1) Ethical awareness
Students will develop this skill via lectures, workshops and via the assessment. Some topics specifically relate to Marketing Ethics, while the assessment will cover a responsible marketing issue that students will be required to solve with their knowledge of ethical and responsible marketing.

(S2) IT skills
Students will develop this skill through practical work in seminars and through the assignment.

(S3) Team work
Students will develop this skill via working in groups during seminars and the assessment.

(S4) International awareness
Students will develop this skill via readings and seminars. In turn, they will develop an appreciation for the global need for responsible and sustainable marketing.

(S5) Commercial awareness
Through the practical assessment students will gain an understanding of commercial pressures and the ethical issues facing organisations.

(S6) Communication skills
Students will develop this skill through engagement in seminars and via the assessment. Importantly, they will be able to communicate the importance of responsible marketing in a way that is well reasoned and persuasive to the target audience.

(S7) Problem solving
Students will develop this skill via the practical assessment by working on and developing solutions for a real life responsible marketing issue.

(S8) Adaptability
Students will develop this skill by exercising their time and project management skills via the assessment.

(S9) Leadership
Students will develop this skill via the practical assessment, they will be expected to set goals and make decisions involving the rest of the team and inspire and motivate one another.

2 hour lecture x 5 weeks
2 hour seminar x 5 weeks
1 hour asynchronous learning x 5 weeks
125 hours self-directed learning

Students will be encouraged to engage in wider reading and enhance their comprehension of other sources that go beyond the core text of the module. This will be supported by appropriate levels of private study. E-learning is an important feature of the module. Key information will be posted on the VLE and co-ordinated to students. With regards to lectures, stream capture will be used and linked to the VLE so that students can play back lecture content seamlessly. An FAQ area will also be available to address generic student queries and also give guidance on assessment. Guest speakers are anticipated to provide drop -in sessions and clinics to further discuss their company project/s. The academic lectures will provide ample feedback hours and this includes office hours.

Introduction to Responsible Marketing – ethical decision making, wicked problems;

Marketing ideology, strategy, tactics;

Consumption ethics;

Marketing in action: ethics and the marketing mix;

Gender, race, equality and diversity in marketing;

Sustainable marketing;

Social marketing.