Outline

Overview

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

Academic unit	Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	IBUS6016
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jarrod Ormiston, jarrod.ormiston@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Contribution	Workshop Participation Participation	15%	Ongoing	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Stakeholder Interview Analysis Stakeholder interviews and analysis. Students will undertake interviews as part of the action research project that informs the group project. In this individual assessment task, students will undertake interviews with at least 3 relevant stakeholders.	30%	Week 06 Due date: 01 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 11 Apr 2026	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Practice Pitch Practice Pitch + Q&A	10%	Week 11 Due date: 14 May 2026 at 18:00 Closing date: 24 May 2026	6 minutes + Q&A + pitch deck	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Final Pitch Final Pitch + Q&A	20%	Week 12 Due date: 21 May 2026 at 18:00 Closing date: 31 May 2026	6 minutes + Q&A + pitch deck	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Final Report Written Report	20%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 10 Jun 2026	2000 words + appendices	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Evaluation	Peer Evaluation Peer evaluation of your work, from your teammates	5%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 10 Jun 2026	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Practice and final pitch: Students will present their project in a practice pitch and final pitch.
Final report: Students will produce a document for distribution to the project partner following their consultation work.
Stakeholder interview analayis: Students will conduct at least three interviews with stakeholders in their problem space and analyse the insights from the interviews.
Workshop engagement and participation: Students are expected to complete readings prior to class; engage with guests, lectures, and fellow students; initiate project work; and foster a community of learning. Students will be assessed throughout the semester based on active participation. Students are expected to attend more than 80% of classes.
Peer evaluation on group project: Students will have the opportunity to give and receive feedback to all members of their team against a set of criteria on team processes. This assignment will be individual and based on peer assessment from team members. The final mark out of 5 will be made up of the average score from your teammate's rating, and how well students engaged with the feedback they received.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to social entrepreneurship and overview of unit, schedule, and assessments	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 02	Call to action and exploration of entrepreneurial passion	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 03	Teaming and design thinking	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	Qualitative interviews and research ethics	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 05	Data collection and interviews	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 06	Data analysis and future thinking	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 07	Strategising	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 08	Feedback and revenue models	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 09	Social Impact	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 10	Pitching workshop	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 11	Practice pitches	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	Report Writing & Final Pitches	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 13	Project Partner Showcase	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at seminars is taken into account when marking group projects and participation. Attendance at seminars is mandatory.

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Increasing moments for interaction with project partners.

Additional information

Business School Policies

Site visit guidelines

Some students will have the opportunity to participate in a field trip to conduct action research with the partner organisation. Participants will be nominated by the teaching staff. Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the University.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SIEN6005: Social Entrepreneurship

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links