Course Description
Global Business, Religion and Society examines how religious traditions, moral values, social institutions, and cultural identities influence business decisions in a global economy. Students learn to analyze markets, workplaces, governance systems, communities, consumer behaviour, supply chains, and public controversies through ethical and socially aware lenses.
The course is not devotional and does not promote a single religious viewpoint. It treats religion as an important dimension of social life that managers, entrepreneurs, policy professionals, and organizational leaders must understand when working across borders and across diverse communities.
Major Learning Outcomes
- Explain how religion and social values shape international business environments.
- Apply religious literacy and cultural intelligence to workplace, marketing, governance, and stakeholder decisions.
- Evaluate ethical issues involving dignity, fairness, inclusion, social responsibility, and community trust.
- Assess risks related to discrimination, stereotyping, social conflict, sacred symbols, and public legitimacy.
- Prepare practical recommendations for organizations operating in religiously and culturally diverse settings.
Suggested Assessments
| Assessment | Weight | Purpose |
| Reflection journal | 15% | Connect readings to personal and professional learning |
| Case analysis | 25% | Apply frameworks to a real or simulated global business issue |
| Stakeholder consultation brief | 20% | Practice evidence-based and respectful decision-making |
| Capstone strategy memo | 30% | Integrate business strategy, ethics, law, and society |
| Participation or seminar activities | 10% | Support peer learning and discussion |
Course Map
| Module | Theme | Primary Learning Focus |
| Module 1 | Understanding the Field: Global Business, Religion, and Society | Explain the relationship between business decisions and social-religious contexts. |
| Module 2 | Religion as a Social Institution in Global Markets | Identify institutional forms of religion in society. |
| Module 3 | Comparative Religious Literacy for Managers | Use religious literacy to support respectful decision-making. |
| Module 4 | Globalization, Secularization, and Plural Societies | Explain secularization, pluralism, and religious revival. |
| Module 5 | Ethics, Values, and Corporate Responsibility | Compare ethical language across business, religion, and society. |
| Module 6 | Marketing, Branding, Consumption, and Religious Sensitivity | Analyze religion-sensitive marketing choices. |
| Module 7 | Workplace Inclusion, Accommodation, and Human Resources | Identify common workplace religious accommodation issues. |
| Module 8 | Law, Governance, and Public Policy | Explain legal and governance issues related to religion and business. |
| Module 9 | International Trade, Development, and Faith-Based Organizations | Identify roles of faith-based organizations in development. |
| Module 10 | Conflict, Peacebuilding, and Social Cohesion | Analyze business risks in religiously sensitive conflict contexts. |
| Module 11 | Technology, Media, AI, and Religion in Society | Assess the social effects of digital media on religion and business. |
| Module 12 | Strategic Integration and Capstone Practice | Apply an integrated decision framework to global business cases. |
| Instructor Note |
| This course can be delivered as a 60-hour stand-alone course or expanded through additional readings, field interviews, and capstone workshops. Instructors may adapt examples to local legal and social contexts. |
Core Frameworks Used Throughout the Course
| Framework | Use in the Course |
| Stakeholder map | Identifies individuals, groups, institutions, and communities affected by a business decision. |
| Religious literacy lens | Examines beliefs, practices, institutions, diversity, sacred time, sacred space, and moral vocabulary. |
| Ethics triangle | Compares consequences, duties/rights, and character/virtue. |
| Legitimacy review | Asks whether a decision is not only legal but socially acceptable, fair, and trustworthy. |
| Consultation cycle | Prepare, listen, verify, adapt, document, and communicate. |
| Risk matrix | Rates social, legal, reputational, operational, and ethical risk. |
Students should repeatedly return to these frameworks when reading cases. The purpose is to create disciplined professional judgment rather than quick opinions. A strong analysis names affected stakeholders, identifies evidence, recognizes uncertainty, and recommends actions that can be implemented.
