Overview

The unit examines the broad spectrum of organisational responses to complex societal challenges, including: how business is creating new products and services that deliver positive social, environmental and economic impact; how social enterprises and social entrepreneurs are using social innovation to create better social outcomes; how design is used for social impact; and how organisations measure and communicate these social impacts to stakeholders. Using real-world cases and examples students will gain insight into how positive social change can be created in different contexts.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
 

  1. Demonstrate awareness and understanding of current social challenges and business, public policy and organisational responses to generating positive social impact
  2. Analyse and evaluate organisational and institutional responses to social issues and challenges
  3. Collaboratively design and communicate services, products or business models that present innovative solutions to complex social problems
  4. Understand future trends and responses to social and economic challenges

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		4.00 6 weeks 24
Online
Lecture		2.00 6 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 55 - 65% 1,4 
Report and PresentationGroup 35 - 45% 2,3 

Content

Part 1 -  Problem exploration and mapping

  • Social change and impact - the social economy

  • Key contexts and concepts - social impact across sectors

  • Addressing wicked problems

Part 2 - Designing Solutions

  • Drivers of social change and impact 

  • Leadership for Social change and impact 

  • Evaluating social change and impact

Part 3 - Implementing Solutions

  • Local community and social change 

  • Sustainability, ethics and social impact

  • Business model canvas for social enterprise as a basis for social change and impact

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.