Course Overview
In response to increasing consumer awareness, pressure from investors, climate change, and employees' desire to benefit people and the planet, businesses must consider not only their financial, but also their social and environmental impacts. Whether through corporate social responsibility, social purpose, or social entrepreneurship, businesses are looking to build positive social and environmental returns into their business models by promoting social equity and operating within planetary boundaries—to make money doing good. This course introduces the growing field of social purpose business and the role of marketing professionals in driving change. Following the framework provided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this course demonstrates how companies can meaningfully align their strategy and operations with the 17 SDGs and effectively communicate this alignment to all stakeholders (employees, investors, customers, communities, governments, regulators, NGO partners, etc.).
Prerequisite(s)
- Acceptance into the Bachelor of Business Administration program.
Credits
3.0
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. Departmental approval is required for this course. You will not be able to register without it.
Domestic fees
$758.04
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Compare how corporate social responsibility, social purpose business, and social enterprises address social and environmental challenges.
- Demonstrate how social purpose can be incorporated into a variety of business models and give examples of how it can provide a competitive advantage.
- Give examples of local and international social purpose businesses and evaluate how their business models achieve social/environmental change.
- Analyze the differences between for-profit, non-profit, and charity models and describe their benefits and drawbacks.
- Propose quantitative and qualitative metrics for evaluating social and environmental impact.
- Explain the role of business in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Apply the five-step SDG Compass to a business and make recommendations for creating and communicating social and environmental value.
Effective as of Winter 2022
Related Programs
Social Purpose Business: Uniting Strategy, Communications, and Impact (BSUS 7200) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Business + Media
- Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration Full-time/Part-time
Course Offerings
Spring/Summer 2026
Below is one offering of BSUS 7200 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 68137
Dates
Apr 21 - Jul 28 Loading
- CRN 68137
- $758.04 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21 - Jul 28 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:00 | Online |
Duration
15 weeks
Instructor
Michael Barkusky
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Enrolment is restricted to students accepted into the Flexible Learning (formerly Part-Time) BBA Degree Program, Option 2 – Marketing Brand Management and Consumer Insights. Registration approval is automatically given upon acceptance into the program. This is an online course with live classes held via MS Teams on Tuesday evenings.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval Departmental approval is required for this course. You will not be able to register without it.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.