Course syllabus for Social Entrepreneurship

Socialt entreprenörskap

Essential data

Course code: 2XX062
Course name: Social Entrepreneurship
Credits: 7.5
Form of Education: Higher education, study regulation of 2007
Main field of study: Bioentrepreneurship
Level: AV - Second cycle
Grading scale: Fail (F), fail (Fx), sufficient (E), satisfactory (D), good (C), very good (B) or excellent (A)
Department: Department of Learning, informatics, Management and Ethics
Decided by: Board of Higher Education
Decision date: 2013-12-12
Course syllabus valid from: Spring semester 2014

Specific entry requirements

A minimum of 120 credits. And proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6.

Outcomes

After the course the students will be able to:

  • Explain and discuss the concepts of social entrepreneurship and its different shapes, and problematize the social impact of the enterprise, and/or the non-profit/NGO sector and its history
  • Explain the concept and history of corporate social responsibility (CSR)
  • Evaluate the contextual and contingent effects on society by business and
  • Evaluate the contextual and contingent effects on business by society
  • Identify usage of Public Relations planning and execution among social ventures
  • Develop advanced not-for-profit business models and Public Relations planning

Content

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the context of social innovation and social entrepreneurship. Through project work students will increase their understanding of various theories and practices from the field, while being exposed to the action-oriented skills required for developing and implementing a social innovation and/or creating the social-oriented new venture.

In our society social needs are addressed in a variety of different ways. Some of these needs are addressed mainly through public organisations, some in private spheres through associations or businesses, and others in informal organisations or maybe not at all. As changes occur in our society, the current practices we use to meet our needs will not necessarily be the same practices we use to meet our needs in the future. In response, a number of initiatives are emerging. The creation of these new initiatives is the focus of this course.

Social innovation involves the identification of new problems and finding new solutions for action, individually or collectively. Entrepreneurship, as the process of developing and carrying out these initiatives, focuses on creating new ‘worlds’, in how we discuss these with others, and finally how we actually carry out concrete activities. Social innovation and entrepreneurship (sometimes) involve logics from different sectors of society (Non-profit and voluntary sector, Public sector and Private sector). During the course, ethical, moral and normative issues will be considered as contextual and contingent, to be related to practical examples and project work.

The course’s key topics are:
1. Social Entrepreneurship
2. Norms, ethics and well-being
3. Corporate Social Responsibility
4. Public Relations
5. Not-for profit business models

Teaching methods

The course will mix and match lectures with debates, discussions and workshops by the students as well as leaders in the field. A case of social entrepreneurship will be constructed by the students in groups.

Examination

The course is examined through:

  • Participation
  • Literature exam
  • Reading assignments
  • Case (group report)

Transitional provisions

The examination will be provided during a period of two years after a close-down of the course. Examination may take place under a previous reading list, up to the next course occasion.

Other directives

The course language is English.

The course is offered within the framework of the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES). Responsible institution: Stockholm University (SU)

Literature and other teaching aids