Engaging Consumers with Sustainability

About

This module provides an in-depth understanding of how sustainability intersects with consumer engagement and business strategies. It's perfect for anyone intrigued by sustainable business practices, consumer behavior, and their impact on our environment. Throughout the course, you will delve into key topics such as sustainable consumption, green marketing, circular economy, ethical consumer behavior, and corporate social responsibility. You'll also explore how digital technology influences and enables sustainable practices.

The course uses collaborative activities to stimulate critical discussions around sustainability issues in modern businesses. You will analyze an organization's strategy for incorporating sustainability into their consumer engagement initiatives and explore the complexities that arise in the interplay between consumers, businesses, and the environment.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to participate in business simulations focusing on sustainability, which will enhance your practical understanding of creating and implementing consumer engagement strategies centered around sustainability. In essence, this module offers a comprehensive exploration of sustainability in the business context, equipping you with the tools to engage consumers effectively and ethically in a world increasingly focused on sustainable practices.

The University of Sussex Business School has AACSB and EQUIS accreditation - the most comprehensive institutional accreditation system for business and management schools in terms of governance, programmes, students, faculty, research, internationalisation, ethics, responsibility, and sustainability, as well as engagement with the world of practice.

The Business School is 15th in the UK for Business and Economics (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023) and 1st in the UK for annual research income (Chartered Association of Business Schools 2020/21).

Course aim

1. Demonstrate comprehension of a variety of reliable and pertinent concepts underlying the study of sustainability and its role in contemporary consumer engagement strategies.

2. Exhibit an ability to participate in a critical discourse of sustainability-related issues affecting modern business practices and consumer behavior.

3. Analyze a selected organization's strategy for engaging consumers in sustainability initiatives, including their communication and implementation methodologies.

4. Evaluate the effectiveness of a chosen organization's approach to integrating sustainability into their consumer engagement strategies, and assess the resultant impacts on both organizational performance and consumer perception.

5. Develop innovative proposals to enhance consumer engagement in sustainability initiatives, considering current trends and the potential effects on consumer behavior and corporate reputation.

Fee info

The full cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session will be £2,645. Early applications will receive a 20% reduction on tuition fees, making the overall cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session £2320. If you wish to study for both sessions, we welcome you to do so. This is made up of Tuition fees of £1,625 per session including all teaching and assessment for one module of study. Where field trips or course excursions are required then the cost of this is included in the tuition fee, however travel costs may be required. A minimum of 150 study hours, with a minimum of 40 hours class/teaching contact hours. Modules formally approved for 15 Sussex credits, equivalent to 7.5 ECTS or 3 – 4 US credits. You will receive a transcript of studies upon successful completion of the module (including meeting all attendance and assessment requirements). The accommodation and student life programme fee of £1,020 per session includes your own bedroom in on-campus student village. These are a mixture of en-suite flats and standard flats with shared facilities. You will receive a bedding pack of duvet and duvet cover, sheet, towel, pillow, and pillowcase, as well as a kitchen pack containing everything you need for self-catering. The fee includes a programme of campus social events and activities throughout each session. Excursions and social programme trips will also be provided on Fridays.