Social Entrepreneurship in the Business Sector

Course Number 6970

Associate Professor Christopher Marquis
Fall; Q1,Q2; 3 credits
16 sessions
Project

Enrollment limited to 40 (plus up to 40 additional students enrolled in SEBS)

Note that a 1.5-credit version of this course, consisting of only the 14 class sessions in Q1, is offered as Social Entrepreneurship in the Business Sector (course number 1975)

Career Focus

This course is designed for students who will found or lead businesses, or will advise or work with entrepreneurs, as they seek to jointly create social and business value. It is the goal of this course to prepare students through hands-on, real-time experience at companies that have embedded social missions and to engage various external stakeholders.

Educational Objectives

The classroom component of Social Entrepreneurship in the Business Sector examines the new business models being created by social entrepreneurs; the field study component asks students to apply these practices in a field-based project. While the class component seeks to convey the enormous possibilities of social entrepreneurship, the field component's aim is to challenge students to execute initiatives and business plans that create both business and social value, even in situations where the two may seem, or even be, at odds.

Course Content and Organization

Please see the entry for Social Entrepreneurship in the Business Sector (course number 1975) for a description of the content and organization of the 14 early class sessions of Social Entrepreneurship.

Working in teams with two or more members during the second half of the term, FC: Social Entrepreneurship students will complete a field-based project that leverages tools and concepts covered in the first half of the course. During the first half of the course, the instructor will introduce a range of potential organizations and projects that the students can work on. Students can also work on a project of their own choosing with instructor approval.

The Field Course will meet twice at the end of the term for project presentations.