Corporate Social Responsibility: The Nexus of Entrepreneurialism, Green Consumerism, and Sustainability

In this course we will explore the contribution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to sustainable development and we will examine CSR’s origins in 20th century civil society efforts to focus business on social and environmental impacts; the role of responsible consumers in CSR; and CSR’s contribution to addressing global problems such as human rights and poverty. We will examine case studies of small, medium, and large transnational corporations from Vermont, China, and Europe and analyze what makes CSR works at different scales. This overview will prepare students for research and work in businesses, NGOs, and government where CSR is increasingly important.