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Unit of study_

SIEN6005: Social Entrepreneurship

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Social entrepreneurs are committed to furthering a social mission through enterprises that rank social, environmental or cultural impact on a par with, or even above, profit. Intersecting the business and not-for-profit worlds, social entrepreneurship addresses many complex local and global problems. This unit critically introduces the concept and develops frameworks for understanding social entrepreneurship (also referred to as social enterprise and social innovation). Teaching and learning utilise case studies and includes the opportunity to apply theory to real-world experiences. Topics include creating innovative social enterprises, sustainable business models, philanthropy and funding, impact assessment, and leadership. The unit is structured around learning from engaged practise and provides the opportunity to work with social enterprises.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SIEN6005
Academic unit Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
IBUS6016
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jared Harrison, jared.harrison@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Workshop participation
Participation
10% Ongoing
Due date: 03 Nov 2022 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO4
Assignment Stakeholder Interview Journal
n/a
20% Week 06
Due date: 05 Sep 2022 at 23:59
800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Practice and final pitch
n/a
30% Week 12
Due date: 24 Oct 2022 at 23:59
2 x 10 minutes + pitch decks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Final report
n/a
40% Week 13
Due date: 02 Nov 2022 at 23:59
3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Practice and final pitch: The assignment will comprise of creating and recording a video ‘pitch’ presentation (live option available for final pitch) in which you showcase your business plan (or investor memorandum), including the strategic vision, strategy, operational details, and funding plan that will attract the resources needed for launching and growing the enterprise.
  • Final report: The final report documentation will be the business plan (or investor memorandum), including the strategic vision, strategy and funding plan that will attract the resources needed for launching and growing your social enterprise. The document should provide sufficient operational detail to show how the product or service can be brought to market, and be supported with a financial spreadsheet forecasting the financial implications of the business strategy.
  • Stakeholder interview journal: Provide evidence of identifying and validating a problem space relevant to your project through stakeholder interviews.
  • Workshop engagement and participation: You are expected to prepare readings prior to class; engage with guests, lectures, and fellow students; initiate discussion and work for your projects; and foster a community of learning and practice. You will be assessed throughout the semester based on active participation and quality of interaction as opposed to volume. To pass this assessment task you are expected to attend more than 80% of classes, have prepared all readings each week, and coherently participate in discussions.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Unit overview and project introduction, context of social entrepreneurship. Block teaching (3 hr) LO4 LO6
Week 02 Social entrepreneurship definitions and overlapping concepts; Indigenous Australian culture and business. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Kick off calls and SE business models. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Action research workshop. Block teaching (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 05 Action research week. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Problem identification pitch and project sponsor feedback. Block teaching (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 07 SE strategy. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 SE finance. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Social impact - understanding and measuring it. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Mentoring session. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Pitch doctor session. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Report doctor session. Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 SE reflection and critique. Block teaching (3 hr) LO4 LO6

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There are no textbooks for this unit. Required readings are available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Identify and evaluate social entrepreneurship opportunities
  • LO2. Develop strategy for a social enterprise
  • LO3. Prepare and present documentation to secure stakeholder support
  • LO4. Develop the skills and attitudes required of a successful social entrepreneur relevant to not-for-profit as well as for-profit social enterprises locally and internationally
  • LO5. Conduct and analyse primary research in the field of social entrepreneurship
  • LO6. Critically reflect on social entrepreneurship theory and practice

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Creating more practical learning options for remote students.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.