COMM_V 394 - Environment, Society, and Government (formerly named Government and Business)

Course Description

This course examines the roles of government and business in the Canadian economy, with particular attention to their interactions with the environment, society, and Indigenous communities. Topics include climate change and environmental policy, corporate social responsibility, ethical decision-making, market failures, competition policy, fairness, and reconciliation. Economic analysis and ethical frameworks are used to evaluate current public policy issues and the practical dilemmas faced by businesses, governments, and individuals. Students consider how businesses can respond to environmental and social challenges, how governments can design effective policies, and how decision-makers can balance efficiency, sustainability, fairness, and competing stakeholder interests.

Content is delivered through lectures, case studies, group work, and structured debates. These activities encourage students to assess multiple perspectives, develop evidence-based arguments, and apply theoretical concepts to contemporary Canadian and global issues. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, ethical reasoning, applied economic analysis, and effective communication, preparing students to make informed decisions in organizational and public-policy contexts. Assessment methods include examinations and individual and group-based coursework.

Responsible Business Content

The course supports responsible business and sustainable development by examining how organizations and governments can respond to environmental, social, and ethical challenges. Topics include climate and environmental policy (Environmental Sustainability), assessing fairness and distributional issues against economic efficiency in policy development (Indigenous + Equity, Diversity and Inclusion), as well as critically examining the social responsibility of business in various contexts (Responsible Business and Ethics).

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the Canadian economic scene and the ability to comment intelligently on public policy issues that are relevant for businesses.
• Use a framework based on economic concepts and ethical principles to guide public policy, taking into account incentive effects, economic efficiency, and fairness.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of business decisions based on important philosophical approaches to business ethics.
• Craft a compelling argument in favour of or in opposition to a proposed public policy, drawing on evidence, economic and ethical analysis, and oral presentation skills.
• Assess the organizational and societal implications of business decisions across diverse economic and cultural contexts.
• Integrate competing theoretical perspectives to develop original, well-reasoned positions on complex business problems.

Prerequisite: One of COMM_V 295, ECON_V 201, ECON_V 301.