Societies worldwide are urgently seeking innovative approaches to addressing social problems that have not been satisfactorily addressed by government or the market place. In search of new solutions, a growing number of social entrepreneurs are developing novel strategies that often combine the strength of both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to achieve significant social change. This course explores innovative, entrepreneurial approaches that address social problems within the United States and internationally and across diverse domains, such as education, economic development, the environment, health, and human rights. The course introduces students to key concepts associated with social entrepreneurship and the steps in the entrepreneurial process: identifying an opportunity or social need, formulating a strategy to address the social problem, building effective social business models, mobilizing resources, and scaling impact. Cases, readings, and guest speakers advance our understanding of entrepreneurial social action in diverse contexts and the construction of new projects, organizations, and movements.

Societies worldwide are urgently seeking innovative approaches to addressing social problems that have not been satisfactorily addressed by government or the market place. In search of new solutions, a growing number of social entrepreneurs are developing novel strategies that often combine the strength of both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to achieve significant social change. This course explores innovative, entrepreneurial approaches that address social problems within the United States and internationally and across diverse domains, such as education, economic development, the environment, health, and human rights. The course introduces students to key concepts associated with social entrepreneurship and the steps in the entrepreneurial process: identifying an opportunity or social need, formulating a strategy to address the social problem, building effective social business models, mobilizing resources, and scaling impact. Cases, readings, and guest speakers advance our understanding of entrepreneurial social action in diverse contexts and the construction of new projects, organizations, and movements.