Living in India, one does not need facts and figures to understand the monumental challenges faced in the process of development and the need for social change. The idea of “Social Entrepreneurship” today captures much of the innovative thinking that has emerged over recent years to overcome these challenges. By seeking to merge the creation of societal value with more market-like pursuits, it seeks to engage individuals who are interested in contributing to society but are either wary of or intimidated by the traditional actors in the social space. However, the increased attention to the sector has also led to recognition of its limitations.
This course tries to understand private actions that engender social change and sources of resistance and threats to it.
The specific objectives of the course are to help students:
Engage with the complexities and paradoxes of social change
Understand the need, role and functioning of social entrepreneurs in society
Understanding models of social entrepreneurship
Engage with evaluation frameworks for social enterprises
ankur.sarin@ashoka.edu.in