Introduces students to foundational theories, processes, practices and strategies of social innovation as well as corporate intrapreneurship. Through deep introspection, students will gain knowledge of change strategies that include deploying soft and hard power to advance innovative opportunities, while exploring how to influence without formal authority. Learners will get exposed to the creative strategies and activities of social and institutional entrepreneurs (intrapreneurs), activists, organizations, and social movements. Students will examine individuals and groups who have catalyzed important positive social change through different organizational platforms –in the market, in government, within the nonprofit sector, and increasingly in the space between these three sectors. Throughout the course students will examine social innovation through case studies, best practice analyses, and relevant reading.
Introduces students to a design thinking methodology, including processes and practices which encourage creative thinking and innovation in trying to solve social challenges. Students will apply a human-centered approach to solving some of the world’s most pressing problems. Provides students with a better understanding and practice of how to incorporate stakeholder and consumer insights in rapid prototyping, all aimed at getting beyond the assumptions that block effective social innovation solutions.
Focuses on measuring and reporting on social impact and identifying outcomes in relation to the objectives of different stakeholders. Also examines the question of how social innovations can effectively scale their impact to reach individuals and communities that might benefit from their innovations.