Advanced Topics in ESG

ESG (Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance) refers to a set of issues that should be taken into consideration to gain a better understanding of the risks and opportunities for investors and corporate management, and the potential policy responses. In the two decades since the concept was first articulated, ESG has grown exponentially in the investment world, as it has, more recently, in corporate management. The growth of ESG has prompted policy responses from regulators across the world and debate about its effectiveness as a way to improve investing, corporate management, and global capitalism itself.

This course takes students who have been introduced to the topic on a deeper dive into ESG concepts, data, and analytics, addressing the most pertinent questions and controversies surrounding ESG today. In the process, students will consider policy responses to ESG, encounter the academic literature on ESG, and hone their analytical skills by working with prominent ESG databases to complete course assignments. The course assumes students have had an introductory course on ESG or a related topic or have relevant experience.