Do you have an idea that could help solve a societal problem? Are you wondering if starting a social enterprise is the best way to go forward? You are thinking about becoming a social entrepreneur!
In this course, you’ll critically examine what makes for a good idea, and whether that idea requires starting a new business. You’ll craft a personal immersion plan while considering different ways to create impact. You’ll explore the personal challenges and connections to your life’s purpose before deciding to commit to becoming a social entrepreneur.
Each week, you’ll see and hear from 11 real-life social entrepreneurs, working around the world, and sharing the lessons they’ve learned as well as the mistakes they’ve made and how you can overcome them. Among their experiences are: providing clean water in India and the Dominican Republic, warming premature babies without incubators, improving education in Africa and Detroit, and providing affordable fresh food to low-income residents of Los Angeles. Ultimately, you’ll be able to decide whether your idea is necessary for the world, and if starting a social enterprise is the right path for you. This course is based on the book “Becoming a Social Entrepreneur: Starting Out, Scaling Up and Staying True” by Michael Gordon.
Welcome to the course! You'll receive an introduction to the course structure and tools you'll use throughout each week. You'll meet the social entrepreneurs who will be sharing their stories in this course, and begin to think about what it means to be a social entrepeneur.
What's included
8 videos8 readings1 assignment2 app items
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 44 minutes
Introduction to the Course•3 minutes
Social Entrepreneurship•13 minutes
Learn•8 minutes
The Challenges of Social Entreprenurship•5 minutes
Lessons to be Learned•2 minutes
Are You a Social Entrepreneur?•1 minute
How Did I Become a Social Entrepreneur?•10 minutes
What is a Social Entrepreneur?•2 minutes
8 readings•Total 75 minutes
Course Syllabus•5 minutes
Help us learn more about you!•10 minutes
How To Go Through This Course•10 minutes
A special webpage for Coursera students•10 minutes
Using the Workbook•5 minutes
Meet the Social Entrepreneurs•20 minutes
Learn From Others•5 minutes
*Lessons Left on the Ground*•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
Check your understanding in this ungraded quiz•20 minutes
2 app items•Total 75 minutes
Launch your Workbook•15 minutes
Workbook: notes on Lessons•60 minutes
Immersion
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this week, you'll learn more about immersion and what it takes to be fully integrated into a problem and its context before you can begin to solve it. You'll also work on your own immersion plan.
What's included
8 videos2 readings1 app item2 discussion prompts
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 31 minutes
Immersion•2 minutes
It's Not About You!•2 minutes
Check Yourself•5 minutes
Real Experience: You Cannot Learn from Phone Calls•1 minute
Live the Problem•9 minutes
Volunteer•6 minutes
Use on the Ground Knowledge•2 minutes
Build an Ecosystem•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
*Knowing vs Understanding*•10 minutes
*Faux Immersion*•10 minutes
1 app item•Total 60 minutes
Workbook: Create Your Immersion Plan•60 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 35 minutes
Faux Immersion•20 minutes
Ask for help, and provide help!•15 minutes
Ideas
Module 3•4 hours to complete
Module details
In this week, you'll take a critical look at your own ideas and the ideas of others. What makes a good idea, and why is it worth pursuing?
What's included
6 videos3 readings3 app items1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 38 minutes
Ideas•3 minutes
Solving a Problem•9 minutes
Idea or Good Idea?•4 minutes
Research•7 minutes
A Good Idea is Context-Specific and Can Change•12 minutes
“Problem First” vs. “Solution First”•3 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
*Good Ideas*•10 minutes
*On Whose Shoulders?*•10 minutes
*Developing an Idea*•10 minutes
3 app items•Total 140 minutes
Ideas Part 1: State the Problem•60 minutes
Ideas Part 2: Refine your Problem Statement•60 minutes
Ideas Part 3: Develop a succinct message - using the Half-Life technique•20 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 20 minutes
share your “problem statement” experience•20 minutes
Be Ready for the Challenge
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
This week, you'll reflect on the idea of 'necessity' and dive more deeply into your own ecosystem mapping. You'll also spend time hearing from the social entrepreneurs on their own personal challenges.
What's included
16 videos4 readings1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
16 videos•Total 39 minutes
Necessity•1 minute
Why “Necessity” May Be Hard to Grasp •1 minute
Example of “Necessity”•1 minute
Join•2 minutes
Personal Challenges•4 minutes
Profit•3 minutes
Emotions•6 minutes
Emotional Roller Coaster•5 minutes
Threats to You and Your Business•2 minutes
Extreme Emotional Challenges•2 minutes
No Glamour (“You'll Want to Quit”)•3 minutes
Uncertainty•1 minute
Burnout•1 minute
Isolation & Feeling Misunderstood•4 minutes
Financial Problems•1 minute
Moving Slower Than You'd Like•2 minutes
4 readings•Total 130 minutes
*Necessity*•10 minutes
*Joining the chorus*•20 minutes
Ecosystem Mapping Activity•90 minutes
A reflection on your eco-system map•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 15 minutes
Defend your decision to launch a business - OR - find / join / suggest an existing Social Enterprise!•15 minutes
You, Social Entrepreneur
Module 5•4 hours to complete
Module details
This week, you'll learn more about what your own needs and the support you will need moving forward with your idea.
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.