Business and the challenges of the Anthropocene

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Antoine Huberland, Sybille Mertens de Wilmars

Coordinator

Julien Chouak

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The Anthropocene is a term used to describe a new period in Earth's history in which human activities have profoundly changed the natural environment. Humans have become the main force influencing living conditions on the planet.

In public debate, this term refers to a very serious and multifaceted ecological crisis: species extinction, global warming, pollution, etc. These problems also have significant social consequences, such as conflicts, migration, epidemics and the rise of extremism, especially in a world already marked by significant inequalities.

Faced with this situation, one thing is clear: our survival will depend on our ability to profoundly transform our lifestyles, production and consumption patterns. This is referred to as transition, or even radical change (bifurcation).

This course examines the Anthropocene from a business perspective. The Anthropocene threatens business models and production chains. However, firms also have a key role to play in the transition, working in partnership with public policy makers and citizens.

Drawing on scientific research and concrete examples, this course takes an in-depth look at current business practices and explores how, in a new, complex and uncertain context, firms can reinvent themselves in all dimensions: purpose, monitoring, business model, financing, value chain, human resources management, leadership.

The programme is ambitious: it aims to set intelligent and clear guidelines to replace 'business as usual' and explore new possibilities.

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

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

• describe the Anthropocene and translate this context into challenges (threats and opportunities) for firms
• develop a critical view of business practices in terms of their impact on people and the planet
• analyse and imagine innovative and robust business practices and their potential to contribute to a just transition towards a society in harmony with planetary boundaries.

• understand the political, societal and economic context of a complex situation and identify the constraints that apply to it
• understand the societal, economic, political and environmental issues involved in a complex situation.
• adopt a systemic approach when analysing a complex management problem.
• demonstrate critical thinking, curiosity and scientific rigour at university level.
• take a critical and ethical look at their managerial practices.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

• Students must have completed a basic course in economics and an introductory course in business.
  Students must be able to express themselves in French or English and must be able to read French and English fluently.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The planned learning activities include:

• Lectures (conceptual and theoretical presentations by instructors)
• Discussions (with guest speakers from the business world)
• Preparatory work (readings and documentaries viewed prior to class sessions and discussed in class)
• The opportunity to participate in events (lectures, films, activities) organized outside of class

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

This course is not podcasted.

Part 1 - Context and challenges of the Anthropocene

• The Anthropocene
• Challenges for businesses
• A desirable society, guidelines for a just transition to a world in harmony with planetary boundaries
• The current limits of the economic system
• The need to rethink business

• Rethinking business models
• Rethinking financing
• Rethinking purpose and governance
• Rethinking sales and marketing
• Rethinking value chains
• Rethinking HRM and leadership

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- LOL@


Further information:

• A presentation (in PPT format) is used for each session. It is available on Lol@ the day before class.
• References will be suggested for each topic covered. These documents will also be posted on Lol@.
  
  

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )

Continuous assessment


Further information:

Assessment consists of continuous evaluation based on group work and a written exam during the exam period. Please note that passing the written exam is required to pass the course. The grade for group work earned in the first session is carried over to the second session.


Bonus: Instructors invite students to participate in lectures or activities. Attendance at these lectures is not mandatory but allows students to earn bonus points toward the overall grade (1 point per participation, with a maximum of 2 bonus points). Bonus points are carried over to the second session.


The overall grade out of 20 is calculated as follows:
If the written exam grade is less than 10/20, the written exam grade becomes the sole determining factor.
If the written exam score is greater than or equal to 10/20, the written exam score accounts for 75% of the total, the group project score accounts for 25%, and bonus points are added to this total (with a maximum overall score of 20).
Examples:
Case 1: I scored 12/20 on the written exam, 16/20 on the group project, and earned 2 bonus points; my overall grade = (12 × 0.75) + (16 × 0.25) + 2 = 9 + 4 + 2 = 15
Case 2: I scored 8/20 on the written exam, 16/20 on the group project, and earned 2 bonus points; my overall grade = 8

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

In 2026-2027, the course will be held at HEC (14 Rue Louvrex - N1A, Room 0/59) in Q1 on Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The first class is scheduled for September 18, 2026 (see Celcat).

Please note: To help students maintain their concentration and encourage interaction within the class, the use of cell phones, tablets, and computers will be controlled during lectures. It is prohibited to use these devices for any purpose other than following the course (taking notes).

However, students are encouraged to bring the necessary materials to take notes without digital devices (notebook, pens).

Students who are unable to attend a class session must act professionally and notify the instructors before the session begins via email, specifying in the subject line: "ABSENCE from the class 'L'entreprise face aux défis de l'anthropocène' + date of the session."

Contacts

Antoine Huberland - antoine.huberland@uliege.be

Sybille Mertens - smertens@uliege.be

Teaching assistants : 

Isaline Thirion- I.Thirion@uliege.be  and Julien Chouak - Julien.Chouak@uliege.be

 

Association of one or more MOOCs