Master courses

Module name: Industry and issue-specific sustainability management, 5 ECTS
Seminar: Perspektiven des Nachhaltigkeitsmanagements – ein DebattierseminarAttendance is mandatory
Examination Method: discussion paper (70%) and a reflection report (30%)
Sprache: Deutsch
Lecturer: Julia Pfannenmüller, Katrin Schwarzfischer

Content
The debate seminar “Perspectives on
Sustainability Management” aims to strengthen students’
ability to engage in critical reflection through sustainability debates and the
use of AI in forming opinions.
In the seminar, we first use the climate change simulation tool “EnRoads” to identify which topics are
particularly relevant to sustainable development. Using “EnRoads” and
systems theory frameworks, we demonstrate that supposedly “simple”
solutions are often more complicated and must be viewed systemically.
Using the climate simulator, we identify four thematic areas
that are particularly relevant to sustainable development
but are also the subject of ambivalent debate: the circular economy,
expansion of renewable energy, CO2 pricing, and growth vs. green growth.
Scientifically grounded fundamentals on these topics will be taught,
including through guest lectures.

To explore different perspectives on various topics, we create roles that may represent opposing viewpoints on polarizing issues (e.g., for the topic “expansion of renewable energy,” a liberal Minister of Economic Affairs, a retiree with oil heating in their home, the CEO of a medium-sized company, and a sustainability manager at an international corporation). Students are randomly assigned a role and prepare arguments for the position associated with that role.
These arguments must be researched explicitly using ChatGPT and SciteAI, but also sought out on social media. In the style of a debate club, students discuss one of the topics in their assigned roles. To this end, debating and rhetorical techniques are taught in advance.
In addition to their performance in the debate, students are expected to place their discussion topic within a systems-theoretical and interdisciplinary context in a term paper.

Learning Objectives and Competencies
By the end of the seminar, students will be able to apply soft skills such as structured teamwork and professional presentations; analyze and reflect on sustainability issues from various perspectives; conduct methodologically sound and structured debates; apply their academic research skills; use AI tools critically and constructively;

Module name: Sustainability Management & Corporate Functions, 5 ECTS, Vorlesung
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Markus Beckmann
Method of Examination: Written Examination
Language: English

Content
This lecture provides an advanced perspective on Corporate Sustainability Management. The lecture starts with a short recap of sustainability management basics (What is sustainability? Why is sustainability increasingly important for business? What are key concepts of sustainability management?) Following this brief recap of the concepts of sustainability and sustainability management, we take a closer look at selected corporate functions such as strategy, marketing, or supply chain management. For each function, we look at the key drivers for corporate sustainability, relevant management tools, best-practice cases, and will discuss risks and opportunities involved in corporate management.

Learning objectives and skills
Students will acquire:

• advanced knowledge in sustainability management, especially in the selected functional areas
• discursive and reflective competencies in regards to societally relevant questions
• practical insights for implementing sustainability in real-life applications
• insights on potential challenges during the implementation of sustainability management

Module name: Introduction to Cooperative Systems, 5 ECTS, Lecture
Examination Method: 90-minute exam (Bachelor’s: 5 ECTS, Master’s: 2.5 ECTS); Master’s students also receive a grade based on a presentation (2.5 ECTS)
Language: German
Lecturers: Prof. Reichel, Prof. Wrede, Prof. Beckmann

Content

Students will gain a general understanding of the cooperative model and its historical background. In addition, they will gain insight into the various business sectors in which cooperatives operate and analyze their advantages in these areas.

Bachelor’s:

• Module in the Economic Policy track
• Module in the specialization track for students in the
• Economics program with a focus on Business Administration,
• Economics, or Business Education (Tracks I and II)

Master:

• Master’s in Management: Specialization Track
• Master’s in Social Economics: Elective specialization track and required “Specialized Business Administration” track
• Master’s in Economics: Elective track

Modulbezeichnung: Case Studies and Projects in Management I, 5 ECTS
Lecture: Industry 5.0 – Germany’s Future of Sustainable Industrial Value Creation
Method of Examination: Presentation (70%) and Project Report (30%)
Language: English
Lecturers: Prof. Voigt & Prof. Beckmann

Content

As part of the seminar, which is led by Prof. Oliver Zipse (CEO of the BMW Group) and Dr. Thomas Becker (VP of Sustainability and Mobility at the BMW Group), students work in groups to address current sustainability issues in technology-oriented industrial companies. The results of the student groups are presented, defended, and discussed in a project report and a presentation during a final session.

Learning Objectives and Competencies

Working in groups and largely independently, students conduct analyses of complex issues in sustainability management, particularly as they relate to technology-oriented industrial companies. To this end, students may conduct empirical data collection and literature reviews and decide largely on their own which analytical methods to use.

The goal is to develop, structure, and present detailed and specialized knowledge based on the current state of research regarding the specific topic assigned.

The results are then presented collectively by the group in the seminar and defended before Prof. Zipse, Dr. Becker, Prof. Dr. Voigt, and Prof. Dr. Beckmann.

Module name: Regeneration and Sustainable Development, 5 ECTS, Seminar
Lecturer: Dr. Francisco Layrisse
Method of Examination: Written assignment, Presentation, Term paper: 25 pages, presentation: 18 minutes
Language: English

Content

The seminar provides content on the basics of regenerative practices across different industries and context. The course is divided into three general blocks. The first block of sessions will provide context into the importance of regeneration considering the limitations of currents frameworks such as corporate philanthropy, corporate social responsibility and corporate sustainability management. The second block of sessions will concentrate in understanding the regenerative principles, the importance of socio-ecological systems and circularity. The third block of sessions will focus on analysing regeneration/ circularity in practice by looking at:
i) Innovative business models that include regenerative practices and/or
circularity
ii) Transitions towards regeneration in agrofood systems.
iii) Industrial ecology and circular practices
iv) Risk management practices for climate change
Students will have a mid term presentation and final presentation where they will have identify an innovative business model that integrates regeneration/circularity. In addition, they will have to document in detail the aspects of the model.

Learning objctives and goals

At the end of the seminar students will be able to:

• Criticize and frame the limits of our current system
• Articulate the root causes of todays wicked problems
• Describe the underlying principles of regeneration and
  circularity
• Define characteristics of regenerative and circular enterprises
• Contrast traditional enterprises with innovative business/
  practices models based on regeneration and/circularity

Module name: Case Studies in Sustainability Management and Social Innovation, 5 ECTS, Seminar
Lecturer: Dr. Francisco Layrisse
Method of Examination: Written assignment, Presentation, Term paper: 17 pages, presentation: 15 minutes
Language: English

Content

Sustainability despite being a term that no longer needs to be introduced in the classroom requires an innovative approach to solving the multitude of issues covered by this umbrella term.
This class uses real-life cases studies to analyse and discuss how companies and/or social entrepreneurs can innovate such breakthrough solutions to address complex sustainability challenges.
Students will engage on a weekly basis in an intense classroom discussion to deepen their analytical, conceptual and discursive skills. Intense preparation and classroom interaction are expected.

Learning objctives and goals

At the end of the seminar students will be able to:

At the end of the seminar students can

• identify basic and advanced sustainability issues and their
  causes;
• analyze and apply fundamental business approaches to tackle
  social and environmental issues;
• appraise business strategies given potential win-win solutions
  to societal challenges;
• conduct basic research;
• build a convincing argument.

Module name: Industry and issue-specific sustainability management, 5 ECTS
Seminar: Perspektiven des Nachhaltigkeitsmanagements – ein DebattierseminarAttendance is mandatory
Examination Method: discussion paper (70%) and a reflection report (30%)
Sprache: Deutsch
Lecturer: Julia Pfannenmüller, Katrin Schwarzfischer

Content
The debate seminar “Perspectives on
Sustainability Management” aims to strengthen students’
ability to engage in critical reflection through sustainability debates and the
use of AI in forming opinions.
In the seminar, we first use the climate change simulation tool “EnRoads” to identify which topics are
particularly relevant to sustainable development. Using “EnRoads” and
systems theory frameworks, we demonstrate that supposedly “simple”
solutions are often more complicated and must be viewed systemically.
Using the climate simulator, we identify four thematic areas
that are particularly relevant to sustainable development
but are also the subject of ambivalent debate: the circular economy,
expansion of renewable energy, CO2 pricing, and growth vs. green growth.
Scientifically grounded fundamentals on these topics will be taught,
including through guest lectures.

To explore different perspectives on various topics, we create roles that may represent opposing viewpoints on polarizing issues (e.g., for the topic “expansion of renewable energy,” a liberal Minister of Economic Affairs, a retiree with oil heating in their home, the CEO of a medium-sized company, and a sustainability manager at an international corporation). Students are randomly assigned a role and prepare arguments for the position associated with that role.
These arguments must be researched explicitly using ChatGPT and SciteAI, but also sought out on social media. In the style of a debate club, students discuss one of the
topics in their assigned roles. To this end, debating and rhetorical techniques are taught in advance.
In addition to their performance in the debate, students are expected to place their discussion topic within a systems-theoretical and interdisciplinary context in a term paper.

Learning Objectives and Competencies
By the end of the seminar, students will be able to apply soft skills such as structured teamwork and professional presentations; analyze and reflect on sustainability issues from various perspectives; conduct methodologically sound and structured debates; apply their academic research skills; use AI tools critically and constructively;

Module name: Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility, 5 ECTS, Lecture
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Markus Beckmann
Method of Examination: Written exam
Language: English

Content
This course combines several perspectives on normative issues in business. First, we take a moral psychology perspective to understand how morality helps us solve certain problems, but also creates pitfalls in the modern world. Second, we develop an ethical framework for navigating contentious issues and supporting the search for constructive solutions. Third, we apply this framework to analyze how (why) social and environmental goals are (not) achieved at the macro level. We will pay particular attention to the role of markets and their regulation. Fourth, we take the perspective of the individual firm and ask whether and to what extent firms need to integrate moral issues into their value creation processes. In this context, corporate social responsibility can serve as a means to implement these moral issues. We will therefore take a closer look at CSR, its origins, development and instruments. We conclude the course by discussing various applications and cases.

Learning objectives and skills
After successfully completing this course, students will have developed
the ability to:

• Evaluate the origins, development, and effectiveness of CSR strategies and instruments in addressing selected ethical and sustainability challenges.
• Explain key concepts from moral psychology and analyze how moral intuitions and biases influence ethical decision-making in business contexts.
• Apply ethical theories and frameworks, such as social dilemmas, to navigate complex moral challenges in business, evaluate competing arguments, and construct well-reasoned ethical judgements.
• Assess how markets and regulatory mechanisms facilitate or hinder the achievement of social and environmental goals at the macro level.
• Critically examine the extent to which firms should integrate ethical considerations into their value creation processes and evaluate the implications of different approaches.

Module name: Seminar on Cooperatives, 5 ECTS, Seminar
Examination Method: Presentation (50%), seminar paper (50%)
Language: German
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Richard Reichel

Content
As part of this module, in cooperation with the Bavarian Cooperative Association, the cooperative as a unique form of business is examined in detail. The aim of the course is both to highlight the significance and development of cooperatives and to explore current research and practical issues in greater depth. In addition to an introductory section (in lecture format), which explains the cooperative system and its distinctive features from a theoretical perspective, the seminar also includes the independent research and presentation of a previously defined, practice-relevant research question.

Learning Objectives and Competencies
Through this module, students gain a deeper understanding of the current issues and challenges facing cooperative enterprises, thereby acquiring specialized and detailed knowledge of the cooperative sector. Through the analytical and conceptual skills they acquire, they will also be able to independently address complex business management issues and identify and successfully apply the appropriate methods and structuring approaches to tackle these tasks. Specifically, students develop the following abilities: to understand the unique planning and organizational challenges of cooperatives; to research relevant knowledge and information, evaluate it, synthesize it, and structure it; and to identify the appropriate strategic analysis tools and methods for addressing specific practical problems, apply them effectively, and propose alternative courses of action.
Through teamwork, students are also able to:

• to collaborate with others in a goal-oriented manner and think in a networked way,
• to address conflicts of interest and communication in a rational and responsible manner within the context of group work, as well as to deal with differences in patterns of thought and behavior
• to communicate the insights gained clearly and unambiguously, both verbally and visually, to present them persuasively, and to defend complex subject-specific problems and solutions to third parties through reasoned argumentation

Module name: Regeneration and Sustainable Development, 5 ECTS, Seminar
Lecturer: Dr. Francisco Layrisse
Method of Examination: Written assignment, Presentation, Term paper: 25 pages, presentation: 18 minutes
Language: English

Content

The seminar provides content on the basics of regenerative practices across different industries and context. The course is divided into three general blocks. The first block of sessions will provide context into the importance of regeneration considering the limitations of currents frameworks such as corporate philanthropy, corporate social responsibility and corporate sustainability management. The second block of sessions will concentrate in understanding the regenerative principles, the importance of socio-ecological systems and circularity. The third block of sessions will focus on analysing regeneration/ circularity in practice by looking at:
i) Innovative business models that include regenerative practices and/or
circularity
ii) Transitions towards regeneration in agrofood systems.
iii) Industrial ecology and circular practices
iv) Risk management practices for climate change
Students will have a mid term presentation and final presentation where they will have identify an innovative business model that integrates regeneration/circularity. In addition, they will have to document in detail the aspects of the model.

Learning objctives and goals

At the end of the seminar students will be able to:

• Criticize and frame the limits of our current system
• Articulate the root causes of todays wicked problems
• Describe the underlying principles of regeneration and
  circularity
• Define characteristics of regenerative and circular enterprises
• Contrast traditional enterprises with innovative business/
  practices models based on regeneration and/circularity

Modulbezeichnung: Case Studies and Projects in Management I, 5 ECTS
Lecture: Industry 5.0 – Germany’s Future of Sustainable Industrial Value Creation
Method of Examination: Presentation (70%) and Project Report (30%)
Language: English
Lecturers: Prof. Voigt & Prof. Beckmann

Content

As part of the seminar, which is led by Prof. Oliver Zipse (CEO of the BMW Group) and Dr. Thomas Becker (VP of Sustainability and Mobility at the BMW Group), students work in groups to address current sustainability issues in technology-oriented industrial companies. The results of the student groups are presented, defended, and discussed in a project report and a presentation during a final session.

Learning Objectives and Competencies

Working in groups and largely independently, students conduct analyses of complex issues in sustainability management, particularly as they relate to technology-oriented industrial companies. To this end, students may conduct empirical data collection and literature reviews and decide largely on their own which analytical methods to use.

The goal is to develop, structure, and present detailed and specialized knowledge based on the current state of research regarding the specific topic assigned.

The results are then presented collectively by the group in the seminar and defended before Prof. Zipse, Dr. Becker, Prof. Dr. Voigt, and Prof. Dr. Beckmann.