Global Social Impact (GSI) BUAD 104 - Section 14504

Syllabus: Spring 2017 Fridays: 12:00 –1:50 p.m. Room: JFF 240

Professors: Jerry Giaquinta and Joe Nunes Office: JFF 203 Office Phone: 213-740-3611 Office Hours: By appointment

E-mail: [email protected]

Course Description:

The course will be taught by Professor and WBB academic director, Jerry Giaquinta. Students en- rolled in this course will focus their study and work on social impact projects in Brazil that will help society in the greater Rio de Janeiro area. Students’ work will be facilitated by Prof. Gia- quinta, as well as a variety of mentors in Brazil, a team of professionals from Emzingo, a social enterprise that specializes in the development and management of programs involving social im- pact projects. • Emzingo and university faculty will select and scope projects for 7-10 NGOs or Social Entrepreneurs in and around Rio de Janeiro Brazil who are in need of assistance. These are real problems and the hope is to develop real solutions. • Students will work in teams to complete a consulting project for selected field partners. • Students will travel abroad with their team members to meet with and present their findings to the field partners.

Why Brazil?

Brazil is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population (more than 300 million people). Brazil has the seventh largest economy in the world by nominal GDP (≈ $2.4 trillion), and the seventh largest economy by purchasing power parity (≈ $16,000 per capita). Brazil’s economy is the largest of Latin America and the second largest in the western hemisphere. One in four Brazilian adults is an entrepreneur. Brazilians are benefiting from stable economic growth, relatively low inflation rates and improvements in social wellbeing. Yet, Brazil experiences extreme regional differences, especially in social indicators such as health, infant mortality and nutrition. In 2012, 18 million Brazilians were living on less than $2 per day. The country still battles with inequality and the resulting issues are seen in the health, education, and security sectors. There are plenty of opportunities for USC business students to make a difference in the lives of real people by impacting how Brazilian NGOs and social entrepreneurs run their businesses.

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Learning Objectives

The goals of this course are multifaceted. They include, but are not limited to: • Developing an international business perspective by understanding the similarities and differences in the business environment across countries and how heterogeneity in the business environment across countries affects international business practices and strategies. • Exposing students to the topics of social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, economics in emerging markets, business, government & society, corporate social responsibility, and private-public sector development through academic coursework taught by faculty from both USC. • Providing students the opportunity to work under the guidance of mentors (experts in the project space) from Brazil. Perhaps the most important business skill in the modern era is working with colleagues from different cultures. • Providing the opportunity for students to work on a consulting project for a local NGO or social enterprise in or around Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. • Providing a cultural immersion travel component along with cross-cultural presentation component whereby students deliver their product to leaders on site in Rio de Janeiro. • Allowing students to understand the ethical issues associated with international and global endeavors. • Helping students appreciate how to develop business strategies and make business decisions in the international and global context.

Prerequisites and/or Recommended Preparation:

Students must have been admitted to the World Bachelors in Business (WBB) Program or the Global Leadership Program (GLP), and admission to the course will be by application.

Course Notes:

Technology for long-distance learning will be used to conduct joint sessions with mentors in Brazil on an ad hoc basis depending on the needs of the student teams. During other sessions, students will be expected to work on projects with members of their team. In addition, special concentrated class sessions will take place on the last weekend of January. These sessions include professional training in working cross-culturally and more specifically, applying business techniques to help find solutions to social problems in developing economies.

Grading Policies:

The grading for GSI will be Credit/No Credit. In order to receive credit for the course, you must pass each of the following requirements, as follows:

1. Class Participation and Attendance (Individual) 2. Memos and/or Quizzes (Individual) 3. Organization Briefing Paper (Group) 4. Final Project & Presentations (Group)

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Given that this course is based on experiential learning, attendance and active participation is required in all sessions. In order to receive credit for the course, you must pass all of the above four components of the course requirements. Failing to pass any one of these four components will result in receiving No Credit for the course. For example, failing to pass the class participation and attendance component of the grade will result in receiving No Credit for the course.

At the end of the course, you will complete peer evaluations of the members on your team. In order to receive credit for the course, you must contribute fairly to the group assignments.

Class Participation and Attendance (Individual)

The learning from this course is largely experiential and participation-based. There will be many opportunities to ask questions of speakers and faculty members and engage in discussions with speakers, faculty members, and your fellow students. Those who participate more actively will learn more from the experience. In addition, interactions with guest speakers and participants from our partner institution in Brazil reflect upon the reputation of USC and the Marshall School. Thus, professionalism and high quality participation in meetings and visits is expected at all times. Your participation will be assessed based on 1) attendance and promptness, 2) alertness and active listening, and 3) participation in discussions and quality of questions asked.

Attendance and Promptness: As opposed to a traditional course that relies on textbooks, readings, and lecture notes, this course is an experiential-based course. The learning in this class comes largely from the activities that take place during class sessions and the experiences during the international field study trip. Given the experiential and participation-based nature of this course, material cannot be made up outside of class and the trip, and attendance is critical to the learning in this course

Attendance at all sessions (the pre-trip class sessions and the visits/activities during the international field study trip) is mandatory. Showing up on time and remaining for the full length of all sessions is expected. Attendance will be taken during each session. If you need to miss a pre-trip class session, you must be excused by your professor in advance, and you are only allowed one excused absence. Missing more than 1 of the Pre-Trip Class Sessions will result in receiving No Credit for the course. Missing any of the visits/activities during the International Field Study Trip will result in receiving No Credit for the course. Absences for medical reasons require a note from a physician.

Alertness and Active Listening: Paying full attention at all sessions is expected.

Participation in Discussions and Quality of Questions Asked: Participation in discussions in both the classroom sessions and during the visits/activities on the international field study trip is expected of all students. Asking insightful questions of guest speakers, faculty, and fellow students is also expected. In order to participate actively in the course, it is expected that you will come to all sessions well-prepared, having read and thought about assigned material. The quality (not merely quantity) of your participation and questions asked is an important part of your performance in this class.

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Memos and/or Quizzes (Individual)

Your individual understanding and integration of material from the class sessions will be assessed through memos or quizzes. Quizzes will be given in certain class sessions to test your mastery of the course material. Memos will be submitted after some of the pre-trip class sessions to assess your learning of the course material.

Organization Briefing Paper (Group)

Each group will prepare a briefing paper related to one of the organizations for which we will do a project and that we will visit during the trip. This briefing paper will include your discussion and analysis of the organization’s situation and important facts and insights about the organization. The briefing papers from all groups will be assembled into a briefing book, which will be distributed to all students in the class before the trip. It is expected that before the trip you will read all briefing papers contained in this briefing book. Hence, students in the class should potentially be able to assist other teams with insights form their own experience and research. When we visit each organization, each of you will already have some basic knowledge about the organization and, therefore, can ask more insightful questions of the speakers. This paper should be approximately three pages, single-spaced (five pages is the maximum length).

Final Project (Group)

Students will work in teams comprised of students from both USC to complete a consulting project for selected field partners. Students will write their recommendations and present their proposed solution to the organizations while we are on the International Field Study Trip. The project should integrate information from research conducted by the teams to offer prac- tical insights and recommendations to our hosts. Your professors will provide more specific guid- ance and direction about the final project.

Expectations Regarding Student Conduct on the International Field Trip:

During the trip, you are a representative of USC and your actions reflect upon the reputation of the school and the university. Therefore, you are expected to behave professionally at all times and be an exemplary Ambassador of the USC Marshall School of Business.

As is the case with all USC study abroad programs, all SCampus polices and the University Student Conduct Code are in effect during the international field trip, from the time you arrive at LAX at the start of the trip until the end of the trip. The University Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs also applies throughout the international field trip.

IMPORTANT: Throughout all phases of this course (the pre-trip sessions and the international field study trip), you are expected to adhere to all SCampus policies, including the University Student Conduct Code and the University Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs. Violations of these policies during any phase of this course will result in receiving No Credit for the entire course. In addition, violations of these policies will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards. Finally, violations of these policies during the trip will subject you to being required to return home early from the trip at your own expense.

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Pre-Trip Evaluation of Performance

Your performance in the class will be evaluated prior to the departure of the international field study trip. Those students who are not passing the course based on the work completed by that time (such as Class Attendance and Participation, the Organization Briefing Paper) will receive No Credit for the course and will not be allowed to travel on the international field study trip.

Reasons for Receiving No Credit for the Course

Level of Academic Performance: 1) Failing to receive a passing grade in any one of the components of the grade i.e. 1) class participation and attendance, 2) memos or quizzes, 3) the organization briefing paper, and 4) the final project) will result in receiving No Credit for the course. 2) Failing to submit assignments on time will result in receiving No Credit for the course. 3) Failing to demonstrate a basic understanding of the course material as reflected in memos, quizzes, class discussions, and final project will result in receiving No Credit for the course. 4) Failing to contribute to the team i.e. the Organization Briefing Paper, the Project and Presentation During the International Field Study Trip) will result in receiving No Credit for the course.

Attendance and Participation: 1) Missing more than 1 of the Pre-Trip Class Sessions will result in receiving No Credit for the course. If you need to miss one of the pre-trip class sessions, you must be excused by your professor in advance, and you are only allowed one excused absence. In addition, you are responsible for making sure you understand the material that was covered during the missed session and must prepare a one to two-page paper summarizing the material covered and lessons learned during that session. 2) Missing any of the visits/activities during the International Field Study Trip will result in receiving No Credit for the course. 3) Behaving unprofessionally during class sessions or visits/activities during the International Field Study Trip such as sleeping during sessions, being disruptive during sessions (e.g. arriving late, coming and going during sessions), and failing to respond to questions and feedback will result in receiving No Credit for the course. 4) Students who consistently come to class unprepared will receive No Credit for the course.

Behavior: As part of this trip, you are a representative of the USC Marshall School of Business and your behavior during the trip affects the reputation of USC and the Marshall School. Therefore, you are expected to behave professionally during the trip. Inappropriate and unprofessional behavior during the trip (e.g. rude behavior during company visits, drunkenness, etc.) will result in receiving No Credit for the course. Violations of SCampus policies, including the University

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Student Conduct Code and the University Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs, will result in receiving No Credit for the course.

Course Outline and Schedule

February

Friday, February 3 12noon to 2pm Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship (Professor Giaquinta and Emzin- go): Class Introduction with Prof. Giaquinta, Prof. Nunes and Emzingo. They will intro- duce class material, project expectations, and examples of social entrepreneurship.

5:30pm – 7pm Impact Careers Panel at General Assembly (Facilitated by Emzingo): Pan- elists working for a diverse set of for-profit and non-profit social businesses will share their stories of how they landed a career in impact and how their companies are creating value – financial, social, and environmental

Saturday, February 4 9am to 10am: LeaderSHIFT (Emzingo): Understanding the “why” of the course for stu- dents, with an overview of responsible leadership and concept of "business as a force for good".

10am to 1pm (with breaks): Design Thinking Overview (Emzingo): Introduction to de- sign thinking methodology, and review of tools that can be applied to the social impact project work.

1pm to 2pm: LUNCH

2pm to 4pm: CultureFLEX & Project Presentations (Emzingo): Familiarize the students with the cultural context, customs, mindsets and behaviors they will experience and exhibit during their project work and time in Rio. We will then review the project overviews, ob- jectives, deliverables and work environment.

ᐧ Friday, February 10 – 12noon to 1.50pm Project Management and Team Building with Professor Giaquinta and Drew Bonfiglio of Emzingo: Students will be assigned to project teams, with team building activities and project management tips. We will discuss individual strengths and how that will inform project strategy.

Friday, February 17 - 12noon to 1.50pm Field Partner calls (student-led): Students and an Emzingo staff member will speak with the social impact project partners over Skype to introduce themselves and ask questions about the organiza- tion and project scope

Friday, February 24 – 12noon to 1.50pm Consulting Fundamentals I with Prof. Giaquinta & Prof. Nunes: This session will introduce stu- dents to consulting process, share tips related to managing client expectations, communications, and meeting management. Additional frameworks may be introduced based on students’ needs

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March

Friday, March 3 – 12noon – 1.50pm Social Sector Landscape in Brazil (presented by external speaker, coordinated by Emzingo): The speaker will provide the students an overview of the social sector in Brazil, including key themes and issues relevant to the students’ project work

Friday, March 10 – 12noon to 1.50pm Consulting Fundamentals II (Optional webinar with Emzingo and one-on-one meeting with Prof. Giaquinta: The webinar portion of this session is a deeper dive into specific skills or tools that the students need to successfully execute their projects. “Building in Sustainability” and Change Man- agement basics will be included. Professor Giaquinta will meet with teams on an as-needed basis depending the teams’ progress.

Friday, March 24 – 12noon to 1.50pm Insights for Innovation (Optional webinar with Emzingo): This webinar will review design think- ing tools that will help to synthesize inputs from the discovery phase, develop insights and ideas, and prepare to test concepts with clients.

Friday, March 31 – 12noon to 1.50pm Social Finance or Alternative Business Models in Brazil (presented by external speaker, coordinat- ed by Emzingo): This session will provide an overview of social finance and the sector in Brazil, including impact investing, sustainable investing, and financing options available for social enter- prises *NOTE: This session may change based on the needs of the students teams and/or the avail- ability of the expert speaker

April

Friday, April 7 – 12noon to 1.50pm One-on-one meetings with Professors Giaquinta and Nunes

Friday, April 14 – 12noon to 1.50pm Field partner call (student –led): At this point in time, we will be one month away from departure to Brazil. This call is meant to ensure students know what they need to do between April 14 and May 14 to prepare for the in-country portion of the elective

Friday, April 21 – 12noon to 1.50pm Challenges, opportunities and resource sharing meeting (student-led): Students present project up- dates, including challenges they are facing and opportunities they are going to investigate. They will receive feedback and suggestions from professors and peers

Friday, April 28 – 12noon to 1.50pm Expectations and skills to maximize your time in Brazil (Emzingo): We will discuss the ups and downs of the Discovery Phase, the Hypothesis testing process in Rio, and summarize the skills to get the most out of stakeholder interactions

Trip Talk (USC & Emzingo): Both USC and Emzingo staff will talk through the important logisti- cal details of the trip.

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May

Saturday, May 13 – Monday, May 22 International Field Study Trip USC students travel to Brazil after classes end for 6 days. Students will depart on May 13 and arrive May 14, and immediately have shared workshops on project work. Student teams would present to their field partners by May 19. Students will return to Los Angeles on May 22.

Technology Policy: Laptop computer, tablet, and internet usage are not permitted during class sessions, unless the instructor explicitly gives permission to use these technologies. Use of other personal communication or entertainment devices, such as cell phones, smart phones, and music players is also not permitted during class sessions. ANY electronic devices (including cell phones, smart phones, PDAs, iPhones, Android phones, Blackberries, other texting devices, computers, laptops, iPods, iPads, other tablets, MP3 players, etc.) are to be turned off during class time. Receiving or sending communications or entertainment during class detracts from participation, disrupts the learning environment, and is rude to those around you.

Assignment Submission Policy: Assignments must be turned in on the due date/time electronically via Blackboard. Any assignment turned in late, even if by only a few minutes, will receive a grade deduction of at least one grade (for example, if your work is a B+ grade, you will be given a C+ grade). If your internet breaks down on the due date, you must deliver a hard copy at the beginning of class on that day. If you are unable to attend class on that day, make arrangements for it to be delivered to the classroom or to my box by the start of class. Late or not, however, you must complete all required assignments to pass this course.

Evaluation of Your Work: You may regard each of your submissions as an “exam” in which you apply what you’ve learned according to the assignment. I will do my best to make my expectations for the various assignments clear and to evaluate them as fairly and objectively as I can. If you feel that an error has occurred in the grading of any assignment, you may, within one week of the date the assignment is returned to you, write me a memo in which you request that I re-evaluate the assignment. Attach the original assignment to the memo and explain fully and carefully why you think the assignment should be re-graded. Be aware that the re-evaluation process can result in three types of grade adjustments: positive, none, or negative.

Academic Integrity: USC seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General principles of academic honesty include the concept of respect for the intellectual property of others, the expectation that individual work will be submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations both to pro- tect one’s own academic work from misuse by others as well as to avoid using another’s work as one’s own. All students are expected to understand and abide by these principles. Violations of ac- ademic integrity standards will be treated seriously. SCampus, the Student Guidebook, (http://scampus.usc.edu) contains the University Student Conduct Code (https://scampus.usc.edu/university-student-conduct-code) which include the university's academic integrity standards.

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Students will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for further review should there be any suspicion of academic dishonesty. The Review process can be found at: http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/SJACS/ . Failure to adhere to the academic conduct standards set forth by these guidelines and our programs will not be tolerated by the USC Marshall community and can lead to dismissal.

Students with Disabilities: The Office of Disability Services and Programs (www.usc.edu/disability) provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be ob- tained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in GFS (Grace Ford Salvatori Hall) 120 and is open 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776. Email: [email protected].

Returned Coursework:

A copy of the final projects delivered to partner organizations will be retained for one year after the end of the course. All other graded work will be returned to students during class, and it is the re- sponsibility of students to retain the material. Students who miss a class session when graded work is returned are responsible for arranging for an appointment to retrieve the material. Graded work that was returned but unclaimed by a student will be discarded at the end of the semester. Disputes over graded material should be brought to the professor’s attention within 2 weeks after the work is returned.

Support Systems: Students whose primary language is not English should check with the American Language Insti- tute http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali, which sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international graduate students. The Office of Disability Services and Programs (www.usc.edu/disability) pro- vides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. If an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible, USC Emergency Information (http://emergency.usc.edu/) will provide safety and other updates, including ways in which instruc- tion will be continued by means of blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology.

Emergency Preparedness and Course Continuity: In case of a declared emergency if travel to campus is not feasible, the USC Emergency Infor- mation web site (http://emergency.usc.edu/) will provide safety and other information, including electronic means by which instructors will conduct class using a combination of Blackboard, tele- conferencing, and other technologies.

Please make sure you can access this course in Blackboard and retrieve the course syllabus and other course materials electronically. You should check Blackboard regularly for announcements and new materials. In the event of an emergency, the ability to access Blackboard will be crucial. USC's Blackboard learning management system and support information is available at black- board.usc.edu.

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