This module aims to:
1. develop students’ capacity for critical thinking around corporate governance
2. engage students in the current academic debates surrounding corporate governance and directors’ duties
3. stimulate the academic interest of students in crucial and contested issues of contemporary importance, including the tensions that exists between and around the main stakeholders in the corporation such as the board of directors, the owner shareholders, society, the environment, etc.

(LO1) Students will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the ways in which the law seeks to control corporate behaviours.

(LO2) Students will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the challenges that company directors face in achieving corporate objectives.

(LO3) Students will be able to undertake effective research in the field of corporate law by producing tailored advice to specific target audiences (e.g. the Board of Directors).

(LO4) Students will be able to apply legal knowledge to complex practical situations and draw reasoned conclusions supported by legal authority.

(S1) Communication (oral and written) skills – oral skills will be developed in class seminars, whilst written skills will be advanced in the two summative assessment tasks.

(S2) Time and project management - Personal organisation. The module will have clearly set deadlines and tasks.

(S3) Academic writing (including referencing) skills – students will develop this specific communication skill through writing their coursework submissions.

(S4) Research skills – students will be asked to do independent research to engage with literature and other resources throughout the module.

(S5) Develop skills in reading, analysing and synthesising different viewpoints and presenting findings/conclusions in clear, comprehensible, structured format, with detailed argumentation where appropriate.

Module content may change slightly year-to-year. Indicatively, topics could include:

The concept of corporate governance

The composition and role of the board of directors in corporate decision-making

The role of shareholders in corporate decision making

Directors duties and the Companies Act 2006

Executive remuneration

Shareholder activism

The role of whistleblowing

Students will be informed of the specific syllabus in any given year ahead of their selection of the module.

Teaching Method 1: Lectures (6 hours)

Teaching Method 2: Seminars (16 hours)

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 22 hours

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 178.

Description: Lectures will introduce students to the key issues and present fundamental knowledge relating to the syllabus. Interactive seminars will focus on testing and developing student understanding around the material covered in a collaborative environment. Seminars will have a bespoke, detailed, reading list alongside discussion points and questions to frame and support student learning.

Attendance Recorded: Yes