Course Syllabus

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2020 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:

Business, Finance, Management
Faculty Member:

Daniel Reece - daniel.reece@dis.dk
Program Director:

Susanne Goul Hovmand - sgh@dis.dk
Program Coordinator: 

Alex Berlin - ab@dis.dk
Program Assistant:

Marissa Buffo-mbu@dis.dk
Time & Place:

Mondays & Thursdays 11.40 - 13:00, N7-B13

Course Description

Can a company be successful in economic terms at the same time as being committed to socially responsible practices? Is it possible for corporate entities to act as vehicles for social change, or do the dictates of the market make this impossible? Social entrepreneurship can be the answer to these dilemmas, initiating a transformation of capitalism that is already underway.

 

In this course, we will explore how to create positive change through social entrepreneurship in two stages:

 

Firstly, we will examine academic theory and discussion to discover if there is an accepted definition of what Social Entrepreneurship is, and what Social Entrepreneurs do. You will gain the analytical tools necessary to develop creative solutions to address social or environmental problems, and to assess the potential impact of your solutions, addressing questions such as:

 

  • How does social entrepreneurship differ from corporate social responsibility?
  • What is the interplay between social entrepreneurship & non-profit organizations?
  • What are the limits of social entrepreneurship?
  • What does shared-value creation mean?
  • Is all profit equal?

 

Secondly, we will examine case studies based on social problems of relevance globally, but specific to Denmark. These will be, for example, in areas such as immigration & refugees, and loneliness and social exclusion. You will then work in groups on your own Social Entrepreneurship project, based on one of the previous case studies, to put your knowledge and experiences into practise.

 

A key element of the course will be the ongoing preparation of a Social Entrepreneurship Online Project Portfolio which will then be presented on an individual basis at the close of the course.

 

Objectives:

  • To develop a thorough understanding of the historical development of the “Social Entrepreneurship” model;
  • To articulate and defend your own understanding of Social Entrepreneurship based on the academic research available;
  • To make valid and informed contributions to class discussions based on your personal views and opinions;
  • Gain an understanding of the role and interplay between different elements involved in a “social” start-up (entrepreneurs, state finance, venture capitalists, angel investors, incubators/acceleration programs, policy makers) through the case studies and interviews;
  • Think creatively, intelligently, and with flexibility in identifying potential business solutions to social problems;
  • Prepare and deliver an effective Social Entrepreneurship project based on a Danish social issue;
  • Have created a reflective and insightful online Portfolio detailing your progress through the course.

 

Faculty Member: Daniel Karpantschof Reece

Master of Laws (International Taxation, St Thomas University Miami, 2005). Founder and Managing Director of Nordeq Management A/S. CEO of the Equinor Group 2005-2014. Expertise in cross border corporate structuring, private equity, and leadership. With DIS since 2015.

 

Field studies:  During the course we will visit two Danish companies which fit the social entrepreneurship model. You will have the opportunity to hear first-hand how an idea for social change through a business model became a reality, and how this developed into a sustainable business strategy.

Evaluation:

During the course you will compile your own Social Entrepreneurship Online Project Portfolio which will form the overall basis of your course evaluation. The Portfolio will include:

  1. Three group case-study projects, which will also be presented in class. The first of these will look at profiling individual Social Entrepreneurs. The second will profile Social Entrepreneurship Companies. The Third will be a project based on addressing a specific unmet social need in Denmark. Grading will for these projects will be based on the project itself, and, crucially, also based on your individual reflections on the project in your online portfolio;
  2. Final individual oral presentation of the Portfolio as a whole;
  3. Engagement in class, i.e. the participation in class discussions/Q&A’s, active involvement in case studies and interviews, and you role in the group assignments.

Participation (engagement in class): The classes require active participation in classes and during the field studies. Attendance is mandatory. To get a good engagement grade you must evidence:

  • Active and voluntary participation in class discussions;
  • Preparation for every class, i.e. required reading and having thought about various issues in advance;
  • Being analytical and concise in oral interventions, i.e. backing up arguments by facts and references;
  • Being able to collaborate well with your assigned team and delivering group presentations

Grading Elements:

 

Grading scheme:

 

 

 

 

 

Participation (engagement in class)

= 20 points

Points

Grade

Group projects 1 & 2

= 30 points

100 - 93

A

Danish based Social Entrepreneurship project.

= 20 points

<93 - 90

A-

Individual Portfolio presentation

= 30 points

<90 - 87

B+

<87 - 83

B

 

 

<83 - 80

B-

 

 

<80 - 77

C+

 

 

<77 - 73

C

 

 

<73 - 70

C-

 

 

<70 - 67

D+

 

 

<67 - 63

D

 

 

<63 - 60

D-

 

 

<60

F

Textbook:

The following textbooks should be checked out from Book Pickup during arrivals week:

Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know, Bornstein and Davis, 2010 , Oxford University Press 

Social Entrepeneurship: New Models of Sustainable Social Change, Alex Nicholls, Oxford University Press, 2013

Academic Articles:

 

Note on Use of Electronic Devices in the Classroom:

The use of electronic devices such as laptop computers, mobile phones, tablet devices etc. is discouraged. Unless I specifically request otherwise, the only acceptable use of such devices is to write notes on classroom material. Students found using electronic devices for other purposes will receive an F for their participation grade.

 

Course Policies

Academic Honesty: Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment - DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final  course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS

reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.

Attendance – You are expected to attend all DIS classes when scheduled. If you miss multiple classes the Director of Teaching and Learning, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow up with you to make sure that all is well.  Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Allowances will be made in cases of illness.

Specifically:

 - An unexcused absence is any absence not due to illness AND not notified to the instructor in advance of class, unless specifically agreed otherwise with the instructor in advance.

 - A late arrival is any case where you are not ready to start class at the designated time (i.e. coming through the door at start time will count as a late arrival).

Your participation grade will be docked 10% for two unexcused absences and 10% for each additional unexcused absence. Your participation grade will be docked 5% for 2 late arrivals, and an additional 5% for each subsequent late arrival.

 

Disability and Resource Statement Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.

 

Participation (engagement in class): This class requires a high level of motivation and active participation both in class and during the field studies. Attendance is mandatory. To get a good engagement grade the following must be done:

 

  • Active and voluntary participation in class discussions;
  • Having prepared properly for every class, i.e. having completed all the required and prepared for entering a discussion in class;
  • Being able to address the readings critically during class, thus displaying a good understanding of the subject matter;
  • Being analytical and concise in oral interventions, i.e. backing up arguments by facts and references.

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due