PED2507 – Social Innovation

Course content

In this course you will develop a comprehensive understanding of social innovation concepts, models and applications. We draw cases from research in the learning sciences that involve partners from different public and private sectors: education, health, culture and business.

Learning outcome

On completing the course you will have:

• understanding of theories and principles of social innovation

• practical skills in conducting needs analysis and collaborating with stakeholders

• understanding of how to plan, lead and evaluate creative processes

• competence in methods to study and evaluate social innovation

• knowledge of ethical considerations associated with social innovation and impact assessment

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must register each semester in Studentweb for the courses and exams they want to take.If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures

Recommended previous knowledge

You should be in your second or third year of your bachelor program. 

Teaching

The course adopts an active learning approach, with lectures by researchers integrated into engaging group activities that address real-world case studies.

You work with topics and perspectives that are needed when planning for and studying social innovation. These include definitions and models of social innovation; approaches to working with partners to creatively address problems in different sectors; design-based methods to implement change; impact assessment methods; and ethical considerations in social innovation.

You will be assessed through active participation in discussions, contributions to group projects where they analyze and propose solutions for real cases, and reflection papers on their learning experiences.

Compulsory Components:

• Attendance and participation in class (100%)

• Documentation of contributions to Group Project

• 1 Group Reflection Paper (3 pages)

• 1 Individual Final Reflection Paper (5 pages)

Examination

Portfolio Assessment:

• Group Project documentation. (30% of the grade)  

• Group Project Reflection Paper. 3 pages (30%  of the grade)  

• Individual Final Reflection Paper. 5 pages  (40% of the grade)

The final grade will be based on Portfolio Assessment.  The Portfolio must include: documentation of the Group Project and your contributions; your group reflection paper; and a final individual reflection paper. 

The portfolio assessment aims to gauge students' understanding of social innovation principles, their ability to apply these principles to case-based scenarios, and their skills in critically evaluating social innovation projects.

Language of examination

It is possible to write in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish for the exam components.  

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

If you fail the exam, you must retake the entire course in order to submit an new portfolio for evaluation.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.