In an interconnected and rapidly evolving world, the concept of social impact has become central to addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of creating and evaluating social change through various disciplines, sectors, and frameworks. Students will explore the role of social entrepreneurship, nonprofit organizations, corporate social responsibility, and government initiatives in tackling issues such as poverty, climate change, racial equity, and public health. Through lectures, guest speakers and discussions, students will critically analyze the successes and limitations of different approaches to making a positive difference in local and global communities.
Given our location in NYC — a hub for social innovation — the course leverages the city's rich diversity and vibrant social impact ecosystem. Students will engage with guest speakers who are leaders in fields like impact investing, community organizing, and public policy, while pursuing individual social impact goals that connect theory to practice. By the end of the semester, students will have gained foundational knowledge of social impact strategies and developed tools to assess their own potential to contribute meaningfully to a more equitable and sustainable world. This course is ideal for students passionate about becoming change agents in any field.
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