APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2014/2015

ELE 3702 Social Entrepreneurship

Responsible for the course
Tor Haugnes

Department
Department of Innovation and Economic Organisation

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
English

Introduction
The key issue in this course is social entrepreneurship as establishments of business with the core idea of solving a social or cultural problem through business means. The students will be exposed to dilemmas and ranges of options that distinguish social entrepreneurship from purely commercial entrepreneurship. The students will also learn about ways to identify spaces for social action, try out tools and methods for making change, and deliberate on how to balance economic and social ends. Cases and ethnographic material for discussion and comparison will be drawn from all over the world. The course is an option for students who contemplate the establishment of a social enterprise. It is also suitable for international students who want to develop their ability to work as social and cultural innovators in their home countries, as well as Norwegian students who consider careers in national companies other than purely commercial ones, or abroad.

Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge
The students shall acquire knowledge of:

• Main theories and concepts in the field social entrepreneurship.
• the added gain and strain of social entrepreneurship compared with commercial entrepreneurship.
• Social entrepreneurship as it is practiced in different parts of the world.

• Creativity in identifying opportunities for social entrepreneurship
• Communicative skills through working with diverse groups of people
• Practical experience with tools and methods to identify spaces for social action and innovation

• critical assessment of ideas and procedures related to the establishment of social enterprises
• awareness of ethical dilemmas in the practice of social entrepreneurship

• Introduction to the field of social entrepreneurship
• Social entrepreneurs
• Market, state and civil society
• Global movements and networks of transformation
• The moral in the social enterprise
• Political and cultural conditions
• Setting up a social enterprise
• Entrepreneurship as social practice

1. The first is to read compulsory literature in order to get a grasp of basic concepts and key dilemmas of social entrepreneurship. The learning outcomes of this activity will be supported through It’s Learning exercises (quizzes and a multiple choice test). A reading plan will be provided at the start of the semester.
2. The second learning process consists of discussions and assignments during class. Tools for active listening and group development will be shared in class. There will also be visits from social enterpreneurs.
3. The third learning process is a case study according to a template that will be distributed at the beginning of the semester. Groups of students gather information about, prepare and present a social entrepreneurship case in class.