Course Syllabus

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Semester & Location:

Spring2025 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:

Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship
Faculty Members:

Amanda Lapadat-Nordström (contacted via Canvas inbox)
Time & Place:

Tuesdays 14:50-17:45. Classroom: ST6-Anneks B - 2nd floor

Description of Course

This course is an introduction to the increasingly popular movement around impact investing and how money can be used to create positive change alongside a financial return. Financing the UN Sustainable Development Goals has been estimated as a $12 trillion business opportunity and we will explore how investments can positively impact important areas such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, conservation, as well as social issues such as integration, social inclusion, and social isolation..

Through exploration of real-life case studies and an interactive approach to learning, you will gain valuable tools to that enable you to approach social and environmental challenges in a sustainable way. Guest lectures let you meet a wide range of inspiring impact investors, entrepreneurs and activists who work with making investing work for the greater good. 

Experiential learning is a key component of the course and students will be actively engaged learning in the following ways: 1) Designing their own online portfolio which will identify the criteria the student would use for their own impact investment. 2) Actively engaging in industry visits and guest lectures from professionals within the field 3) Participate in 'real-world' impact case competition with expert panel.

This is an Introductory course and not an advanced finance course. We will look at the whole ecosystem of impact investing and entrepreneurship and not focus solely on financing models. This course attracts a multi-disciplinary group of students and we aim to use your various academic backgrounds to the most and shed light on the diverse areas of expertise that are used achieving social and environmental change. All are welcome!

Learning Objectives

  • To understand and critically reflect on what impact investing means, its purpose and evaluate the potential for achieving both financial and social/environmental returns.
  • To become familiar with the impact investing landscape in Denmark and the Nordics.
  • To think creatively how impact investing can solve a particular social or environmental issue.
  • Understand and distinguish between the various investment instruments and the actors within the field of impact investments.
  • To actively engage in shaping the course and its outcomes.
  • To develop hands-on experience within the Impact Investing space through industry interviews, visits, workshops and Impact Case competition!

Topics Covered in the Course:

1

Introduction and Impact Ecosystem

Looking at the history and ecosystem of impact investing, and introduction into the topic and understand ESG regulation and key Players.
2

Money in Impact Investing:

We will explore different ways investments can be instrumental for creating impact and change. We will learn about Portfolio management, Impact Funds, Social Development Bonds. 
3

Ideas in impact investing:

No impact and change without ideas and people to take them forward. Human capital and technology are core ingredients in advancing the innovations need to produce both profit and sustainable development. We will use the Impact Business Model Canvas to evaluate various impact ventures ideas.

 

Faculty

Amanda Lapadat-Nordström

Masters International Business (Queen's University Canada, 2010). Expertise in Trade and FDI, International Business Development, SME advisory, Strategic Communications.

Consultant and Co-Founder, Do Business Nordic, 2020-Present. Commercial Manager Sweden, MG Real Estate, 2020-2022. FDI Advisor, Invest in Skåne, 2017-2020. Trade Advisor, The Trade Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark in Canada, 2013-2017. Trade Journalist, Global Business Reports, 2011-2013. Strategic Communications Consultant, Kreab Worldwide London, 2010-2011. Global Programs, Blackberry, 2007-2009.

With DIS since 2023.

Readings

Mandatory:

  • Impact: Reshaping capitalism to drive real change, Ronald Cohen (pdf version provided)

Recommended:

  • Listed under course modules

Pre-requisites

There are no pre-requisites for this course. No prior knowledge of finance is needed.

 

Guests and visits

During the semester, we will meet several actors that are working with the topic on different levels. The aim is to understand the complexity and role of impact investing through different perspectives.

 

Approach to teaching

This class uses the concept of a flipped classroom where students take over a primary role in the classroom and with great emphasis is given to input from the outside world. The faculty is more a facilitator than a lecturer. 

The class will meet once a week during the semester. Assigned readings, guest lectures, and student presentations will act as background for class discussion. This course relies on reading in order to gain a deeper understanding of varying case studies we will discuss. Assigned texts must be read before class.

Organizations in and around Copenhagen will serve as case studies to illustrate the potential of investing for impact and change. Moreover, group work is essential following real life working scenarios.

Student expectations

  • Students are expected to show up for class prepared and participate actively
  • Complete all assigned worked prior to each deadline and each class
  • Contribute actively and engaged during classes, visits, activities, on study tour, and make sure to always speak up and contribute to our knowledge production each time we are together
  • Be punctual and attend all assigned activities both during our classes, mandatory activities, visits, and on study tour.
  • Missing classes, activities, visits and assigned work without a legitimate excuse will result in a lower final grade
  • Cell phones are to be shut off or silenced during class and texting, using social media etc. during class will have a negative impact on your participation grade.
  • Laptop, tablets, and smartphones are NOT to be used during class and visits unless approved by your instructor or for note-taking. If you fail to meet this expectation, it will have a negative impact on your final grade.

Evaluation & Grading

Assignment:

Percent:

Lecturer for the Day                                      (Group)

15 %

Impact Field Visit Analysis & Presentation  (Group)

20 %
Impact Venture Pitch Competition              (Group) 30 %

Participation                                                   (Individual engagement in class)

  • Preparation for every class, i.e. required reading and having thought about various issues in advance;

  • Attendance, participation and engagement during class , visits and exploration tour

  • Written participation and engagement on Canvas

25 %

Course Reflection                                (Individual)                                                               10%

**To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work**

  • Note that attendance at all classes and the mandatory study tour is required and expected and is not credited as participation. Failure to attend will have a negative influence on the participation grade, however.

 

How to Get a Good Grade

  • Involve yourself! Allow yourself the luxury of taking a genuine interest in the course.
  • Get organized! Enter all due dates in a calendar and set aside time to work on assignments and prepare for class. 
  • Prepare for class! Every class! 
  • Take good notes! You will be graded on your analytical thinking. 
  • Participate! Sharing your thoughts and ideas in class is not just important for the participation grade, it is one of the best tools for developing your analytical skills.

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic RegulationsLinks to an external site. on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.orgLinks to an external site.

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due