Course content

In this course the students will be introduced to the field of social entrepreneurship. The course consists of two parts, where one is about traditional entrepreneurship. It aims to give the students a basic understanding of innovation processes and how to create a new venture. The other part is about social entrepreneurship in particular, and is based on the knowledge the students acquire about traditional entrepreneurship.

The course will touch upon the following questions:

  • What characterises an innovation?
  • How does an idea become a business idea?
  • What is required to turn a business idea into a
    professional business?
  • What is social entrepreneurship, and how is it different from traditional entrepreneurship?
  • What are the characteristics of a successful
    start-up?

Learning outcome

You will learn about the different elements of a business plan, including market analysis, marketing, sales, intellectual property rights, business economics and financing. You will also learn how to write such a plan. The business plan is a useful tool for evaluating and communicating both business ideas and social entrepreneurship projects, and for planning their realisation. After being introduced to traditional entrepreneurship you will learn about social entrepreneurship theory, and the current status of this emerging field. You will be able to define social entrepreneurship, and differentiate it from both business entrepreneurship and other social purpose activities.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

This course is only available for students enrolled in the Social entrepreneurship programme.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Completed bachelor's degree or being in your sixth semester of a degree is required. There are no restrictions on field of study.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

Teaching will take place during four weekend seminars (Friday afternoon and Saturday) and a one day seminar throughout the semester. Attendance at these seminars are compulsory. The seminars will consist of lectures and tutored group work. Between the seminars you will work with 2-4 other students on a group assignment.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

The evaluation of this course consists of two parts. One is an individual compulsory assignment (report) which has to be approved to pass the course and get a grade. The assignment is to be delivered at the end of the course.

At the end of the course you will also deliver a written group assignment (business plan), and give an oral group presentation of the plan and defend it. The written group assignment will be graded, and if the grade is strong or weak the oral presentation and defense decides the final grade.

Language of examination

You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English. If you would prefer to have the exam text in English, you may apply to the course administrators.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

A student may appeal against an awarded grade and/or file a formal complaint about exam procedures. Only written exams can be appealed against.

Resit an examination

Students who due to illness or other valid reason of absence were unable to sit for their final exams may apply for participation in make-up exams. Make-up exams are arranged either later in the same semester or early in the semester following the exam in question. Documentation of valid reasons for absence from the regular exam must be submitted upon application to participate in make-up exams.

Students who have failed an exam and students who wish to re-take an exam to achieve a better grade may not participate in make-up exams, but must re-take the exam when it is regularly scheduled. If only one of the two parts of the course evaluation was failed, only this part must be re-taken as long as this is done during the following year.

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

Special examination arrangements

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation.

For further information, see Special facilities at an examination.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Teaching
Every spring

This course was held during the spring semester 2009. From 2010 the content of this course will be covered by the two courses ENT4000 and ENT4505.

Examination
Every spring
Teaching language
Norwegian