Course Syllabus

NOTE: This course code has changed from B 374 to BUS 374. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.

Outcomes

  1. Describe what social innovation is generally and how it applies to students’ lives.
  2. Identify challenges faced by entities seeking to create social impact based on principles of social innovation.
  3. Identify opportunities available to entities seeking to make a social impact based on principles of social innovation.
  4. Apply principles of social innovation to existing entities, and/or hypothetical models, within the context of a specific social issue.
  5. Articulate the potential connection between students’ discipleship of Jesus Christ and their future careers and business decisions.

Description

Social innovation is for those who want to make a difference in the world. This course both provides a general overview of social innovation and teaches several specific skills vital for success. Examples of social innovation and the changemakers behind them will be studied, discussed, and analyzed. The course introduces the many vehicles of social innovation, such as nonprofits, social businesses, social entrepreneurs, NGOs, impact investing, philanthropy, and corporate social responsibility, so students will learn how to leverage these different methods to maximize their ability to impact and improve the lives of others. You will apply these concepts to a social issue that you find important and will see that you have the potential, as a disciple leader, to change the world. You will leave this course with a new perspective and new skills. As you apply what you learn, you will become a light in all walks of life: in leadership, innovation, discipleship, and charity.

Personal Benefit

During this class, you will discover opportunities and career paths in the social arena. You are responsible for realizing and applying the course outcomes. Search deep and converse often with your loving Heavenly Father on how you can best help Him build Zion and make the world a better place.

This course teaches new and innovative approaches used by social innovators throughout the world. Take the time outside of class to master and apply these skills and be the change you want to see in the world.

Learning Model Architecture

Prepare: You will study selected readings and videos.

Teach One Another: You will participate in whole-class and group discussions using a discussion board.

Ponder & Prove: You will submit a reflection journal and innovation presentation. Additionally, you will complete weekly reading quizzes.

Required Materials

The course materials are available in the Course Materials List. NOTE: You will need to search for MGMT to find the BUS 374 course.

  • Text: How to Change the World by David Bornstein (ISBN 978-0-19-533476-0). This book is available as a low-cost e-book through the University Store. 
    • When you purchase the e-book through the University Store, you will receive an access code in an email sent to your student email address.
    • If you have questions or need assistance after purchasing the e-book, contact the Support Center.

Disclaimer: The BUS 374 material was collected from many sources. The authors and publishers own their material and the views and opinions expressed therein.

Due Dates & Assignments

For this 3-credit course, an average student should plan on spending between 9 and 12 hours per week to successfully study the materials and complete the assignments.

There are three weekly due dates in this course. Check the due date patterns in the course calendar to see the deadlines in your time zone and plan your study time accordingly.

The major assignment due dates to be aware of are:

  • W03 Proposal: Social Issue (Due early in the week)
  • W07 Project: Innovation Presentation (Due midweek)
  • W14 Reflection: Final (See Calendar for due dates)

Below is a general weekly pattern for the course.

Early in the Week

  • Read the instructions for the application assignment to know how you will be asked to apply your learning at the end of the week.
  • Study the readings and videos.
  • Complete the quiz to assess your comprehension of the study materials.

Midweek

  • Read and respond to your instructor's insights shared in his or her announcement.
  • Start the remaining assignments (application and one other).
    • Be sure to ask any questions you may have about the assignments. 

End of the Week

  • Complete and submit your application assignment and other assignment.
    • The application assignments provide an opportunity to apply that week's learning to the social issue you select in Week 03. This is a specific social issue you are passionate about or would like to learn more about. Templates are provided for each application assignment. 
    • The other assignment is not directly related to that week's learning, but rather extends and deepens your learning by exploring a different topic. The activities vary and include reading chapters from the textbook, participating in group discussions, and completing case studies. Most of these activities will be completed in two parts with the first part due midweek and the second part due by the end of the week.
  • Complete your reflection journal.
    • This is one of the most important assignments in the class. Each week, you will write a journal entry based on reflection questions. This is a personal, reflective journal—useful now and throughout your career. The journal is a place to write lessons learned and tracks progress through the semester. Journals are graded weekly.

Grading

This table is just an estimate of how many points are in the class. If you want to know how many points are actually in the class, view the Grades section of the course.

Category Pts. Each Qty. Points Total Approximate % of Total
Reading Quizzes 15 13 195 21%
Enrichment Activities 15 13 195 20%
Application Activities 20 12 240 26%
Reflection Journal 15 13 195 21%
Innovation Presentation 50 1 50 6%
Final Journal 50 1 50 6%
TOTALS about 925 100%

Grading Scale

Letter Percentage
A 93%–100%
A- 90%–92.9%
B+ 87%–89.9%
B 83%–86.9%
B- 80%–82.9%
C+ 77%–79.9%
C 73%–76.9%
C- 70%–72.9%
D+ 67%–69.9%
D 63%–66.9%
D- 60%–62.9%
F Below 59.9%

Expectations

Set High Standards

You are trusted and challenged to uphold high standards of ethical behavior. This course will challenge you to raise your standards as disciple leaders. Therefore, cheating, plagiarism, and other cases of intellectual dishonesty or disrespect are not tolerated and will be referred to the Honor Office.

Take Pride in Your Work

Leaders know that everything they present to the public reflects on them and their organizations. Long-term success comes from producing high-quality products and services delivered on time. Every paper, presentation, and project is a tangible expression of personal pride. Make the effort to write well and exceed the expected requirements. Take the time to make both the format and the content of your work high-quality. This means writing multiple drafts, double-checking spelling and grammar, and practicing your presentation.

Punctuality

This is more than being on time and meeting deadlines. Being punctual shows respect for others’ time and demonstrates an ability to prioritize and organize. Professional behavior means submitting assignments on time. Furthermore, it means using time effectively.

Preparation

Unprepared people have very short careers (or end up in dead-end jobs). To succeed, prepare before posting. Trying to fake it runs the risk of looking foolish and wasting everyone’s time with irrelevant comments.

Respect

It all comes down to respect. Respect others, and respect yourself. Respect is more than avoiding conflict and those with different opinions or attitudes. It is an active pursuit to create an environment and a lifestyle that leads to open-mindedness and compassion. The ability to work with, tolerate, and effectively interact with individuals with differing opinions or attitudes is critical to success. Lack of respect is evident when engaged in any activity that distracts others from meeting their personal goals. This includes distracting others, making negative comments, not fulfilling commitments, and much more.

Class Policies & Important Notes

  1. The BYU-Idaho Honor Code applies and is enforced.
  2. Late Work: Late work is not accepted. Submitting work on time demonstrates your respect for your education and your instructor’s time.
    • Possible rare exceptions include medical emergencies, family tragedies, or other extreme circumstances. Road trips or sick roommates are not exceptions. You may turn in some work early, if needed.
      • Contact your instructor right away if you need help or experience an extreme circumstance to find out what options are available to you. Your instructor has discretion to accept or deny a late work request. 
  3. Turnitin: Turnitin is used in this course. No additional action is required on your part. Your assignments will be automatically run through Turnitin's originality checker to promote academic honesty and discourage plagiarism.
  4. Learning is your responsibility: This includes studying deeply, taking notes, making time for personal reflection, engaging in meaningful interactions with your instructor and peers, and applying the skills and concepts you have learned.
  5. Participation: This course requires consistent participation for you to master the content. You should be an active participant in the online course. If one is not present, all miss out.
  6. Revisions to Syllabus: This syllabus is subject to change throughout the semester.

Academic Honesty

Our mission at BYU-Idaho is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ. As such, all students (both online and campus) and employees of the university are expected to be honest in all things. "We believe in being honest" (Articles of Faith 1:13).

As part of the CES Honor Code, you are expected to complete your own work for each course so your instructor can verify your knowledge and skills as he or she grades your work. Violations of the Academic Honesty policy include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Posting or sharing your course work (projects, assignments, etc.) to any other online website, through electronic communication, or any other means.
  • Obtaining another person's work and submitting all or part of it as if it was your own work.
  • Posting or sharing course materials, including but not limited to, quiz and exam questions and/or answers, or any other materials from the course.
  • Obtaining quiz and exam questions and/or answers from any other website, person, or means.

If you choose to participate in any of the above actions or other actions which violate the Academic Honesty policy, the University has the right to change your course grade to an F now or at any time in the future (and/or take other action as outlined in the policy such as suspension or expulsion from the University). This means that even if your dishonesty is not discovered until after you complete your certificate or degree, the University still has the right to change your grade and revoke your certificate or degree.

If you violate copyright laws, you may also be prosecuted for your illegal actions.

The consequences of academic dishonesty are not worth the risk and the reward for honesty is worth far more than any grade. "All … who know their hearts are honest … are accepted of me" (Doctrine and Covenants 97:8). Thank you for your honesty and protection of academic integrity for you and your fellow students as you complete this and future courses.

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at 1-208-496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at 1-208-496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

  • Student Honor
    • Academic Honesty
    • Student Conduct
      • Sexual Harassment
  • Student with Disabilities
  • Complaints and Grievances
  • Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due