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2025-2026 / GEST7107-1

Managing Social Innovation (Service Learning)

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in management, professional focus in Social Enterprise Management and Transition5 crédits 

Lecturer

Frédéric Dufays

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course enables to discover and experience the concept, the process and the actors of social innovation, i.e. the generation and implementation of new solutions to social and environmental needs. The course is structured along the main steps of the social innovation process and is inspired by the principles of design and system thinking. It includes an important practical dimension through the development of social innovation project by participants themselves in a logic of service learning.

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Learning outcomes of the learning unit

In coherence with the Intended Learning Outcomes  of the Master in Management program and more particularly of its specialization in "Social Enterprise Management and Transition", at the end of this learning unit, students will be able to:





  • Identify the dynamics of and opportunities for social innovation in different contexts
  • Master and implement the different steps of the social innovation process
  • Develop empathy and creativity skills to generate solutions that are both innovative and adapted to the users' needs
  • Use tools that favour system thinking to understand a societal need and the effect of a social innovation on the system.
  Hence, this course contributes to the following Intended Learning Outcomes :     ILO-2 : Gaining the knowledge and understanding of one of the proposed fields of concentration or to gain deep knowledge in the field of the management being already specialized thru a first University Master Degree .    ILO-4 : To acquire the capacity to research autonomously and methodically the information needed to solve a complex, transversal management problem,    ILO-5 : Integrate autonomously researched information, tools, knowledge and context to build and propose, either individually or as part of a team, original, creative and viable solutions to concrete complex management problems, whether real or simulated, taking into account, when necessary, the human, social and legal context.  ILO-9 : Developing a critical sense (arguing)   ILO-10 : Developing a transversal, global vision    ILO-11 : Creative conception of solutions    ILO-12 : Professional capacity for oral communication   ILO-13 : Professional capacity for written communication     ILO-14 : Faced with a management problem, suggesting solutions that are ethical and socially responsible and that respect the principles of good governance.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

A course in innovation and/or entrepreneurship is an asset

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Each class will include:

- the presentation of theoretical and conceptual elements by the teacher, using Powerpoint slides

- empirical illustrations brought by the teacher and also sometimes by a guest speaker

Some classes will be more specifically devoted to practical exercises enabling the mastery of tools that can be useful in managing social innovation projects (for instance, financial planning, reflexive writing, system thinking).

In parallel, in line with the service learning approach, students wll have to act (in teams) as "consultants" for organisations that are involved in a social innovation development process.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

This course is delivered face-to-face. Active participation of each student is compulsory.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- LOL@


Further information:

The virtual platform Lol@ (lola.hec.uliege.be) will be used to post:

- The Powerpoint presentations used during the classes

- A portfolio of readings (both compulsory and elective) supporting the course contents

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Further information:

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Additional information:

The evaluation will be based on:

- A group work following a service learning logic, composed of preparation sessions and intermediary presentations during the classes, as well as a final deliverable to be presented in front of a jury during the exam session (50%)

- An individual work enabling to connect the theoretical contents with a practical case as well as a reflexive report on the service learning experience (50%)

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The course is in English. The assignments should be written and defended in English. Therefore, a good command of English is expected.

However, the service learning component brings students in contact with social economy organisations in the neighbourhood of Liège - whose members typically primarily speak French. Also, the session on reflexive writing is taught in French by an external speaker. Hence, a basic understanding of French is recommended.

Contacts

Prof. Frédéric Dufays
frederic.dufays@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs