Business & Society Institute Teaching

Changemaking Nextgen Leaders

We develop next-generation systems thinkers and problem solvers through both coursework and hands-on experiences.
Fellows23

The institute's Social Enterprise Fellows Program recognizes undergraduate and graduate students demonstrating both a deep interest in social and environmental impact and commitment to Institute’s core focus areas. Fellows have access hands-on education, exposure and experiences to develop their capabilities as next generation changemakers in a variety of careers and industries.

Program Benefits

  • Career coaching and mentorship through Executives-in-Residence and faculty/staff
  • Cohort-based learning events and activities
  • Annual stipend to offset the cost of attending a social and/or environmental impact related conference, event, or social impact focused global travel module
  • Opportunity to apply for summer or post-grad internship stipend funds
  • Eligibility to participate in social impact directed study projects within Institute

Application Information

Prospective students applying to the One-Year MBA or Two-Year MBA should complete Social Enterprise Fellows application which includes two short essays. Current BBA or MBA students should apply through our annual application process which takes place in Fall for BBAs and Spring for MBAs.

Fellowship Application 

Current Student Inquiry

Business & Society Courses

This course is about the corporation in global society, including its culpabilities, responsibilities, and possibilities. What is a corporation? How do corporations maintain legitimacy, acquire resources, and build partnerships as they create, confront, and sometimes attempt to solve complex global problems? 

Professor Wes Longhofer

In this course, students will learn how businesses leverage information dynamics to manage the risks and opportunities presented by political systems.  The class examines government regulation of industry, activist and public interest groups, the role of lobbying and campaign contributions in the policymaking process, ethical frameworks of corporate political strategy, and other related topics.  Examples and cases will be drawn from the United States, developed democracies, and emerging markets.

Professor Suhas Sridharan

This sustainability course covers three things: 1. Importance of sustainability in creating long term value for companies; ESG risks and opportunities that companies should focus in their strategy, 2. Challenges in sustainability practices (costs, benefits), measurement (scope 1, 2, 3) and reporting standards (so many, but not one standard set!), and 3. what students, as leaders of tomorrow, should be looking ahead related to what corporations ought to be doing in the next few years. 

Professor Usha Rackliffe

This course surveys the evolving role that social purpose organizations, their leaders (both management and board of directors), and critical stakeholders play in delivering social impact. These purpose-driven organizations, which make up the $6 trillion social solution economy, encompass an array of business models that range from traditional nonprofits to for-profit companies and hybrid organizations focusing on social outcomes.  We will also cover the importance of key actors in the sector, including foundations / grant makers, charities, service providers, B corps, impact and ESG investors, government entities, and social enterprises.       

Brian Goebel

Randy Martin

This course allows students to explore the interplay between markets on the one hand, and culture and society on the other. We focus on a connected set of issues that define the past, present, and future of global specialty coffee markets. This should appeal to business students who want to examine the impacts that markets have, and could have, in an important global industry. It should also appeal to non-business students who want to explore how perspectives on culture and society merge with current and potential market practices.

Professor Peter Roberts

Explore the issues and opportunities facing specialty coffee growers with a focus on the role of farm stories-- students will work closely with growers located in Central America. This Directed Study is ideal for students who care about issues at the intersection of business and society, and who have some combination of cultural familiarity, Spanish language skills, communications skills, and/or creative capabilities related to writing, photography, or video production. 

Professor Peter Roberts

On average, Americans spend 30% of their time at work. In some sense, our work can define us, such that our economic opportunities, quests for fulfillment, and general happiness are heavily affected by what happens at work. Although many life outcomes are determined by workplace experiences, many employees face workplace disadvantages based on their demographic group membership.

In this course, we will explore the ways in which race, and to a lesser extent, gender and class, shape economic opportunity and general well-being at work. Further, we will learn how organizations and employees attempt to manage bias and discrimination in organizations. Finally, we will explore tactics students can use to disrupt bias in the workplace.

Professor Erika Hall

This cross-listed course focuses on an array of social issues and the role capitalism plays in both the cause of those challenges along with their potential solution through new ideas and organizations scaling through the support of the growing global impact investing market which was valued at $502 billion in 2019.

Professor JB Kurish

This experiential course which is part of Philanthropy Lab National Network introduces undergraduate students to the role of philanthropy in solving public problems, particularly with regard to inequality and urban development in Atlanta. Students put learning into action by making $50K-$75K in philanthropic grant investments in Atlanta area nonprofit organizations working to tackle inequity. 

Brian Goebel

Tene Traylor

This trip is designed for Full-Time MBA and Evening MBA students and explores coffee farms and their communities (including cooperatives), visit social enterprises / social entrepreneurs, tour colonial cities, and participate in outdoor adventure activities (volcano hikes and more). MBA students receive course credit and can enroll through their program office.  Travel module suspended due to COVID19 travel restrictions.

Professor Peter Roberts

Spring 2024 Courses

SocialImpactClass

Join Us in Classroom

We are looking forward to enrolling students in the Institute’s slate of Spring 2024 elective courses. New courses include Directed Study focused on the issues and opportunities facing specialty coffee growers with a focus on the role of farm stories-- students will work closely with growers located in Latin America.

#OffTheSyllabus

OffTheSyllabus

Recommended Course Content

Curious what our students are learning in the Business & Society Institute's social impact courses? Each week, we will post our top readings, podcasts, and videos #OffTheSyllabus from our course instructors.

Social Enterprise Fellows

Social Enterprise Fellows Alumni

Class of 2023

 

Class of 2022

 

Class of 2021

 

Class of 2020

 

Class of 2019

 

Class of 2018

 

Class of 2017

 

Class of 2016

 

Class of 2015

 

Class of 2014

 

Inaugural Fellows Classes (2012-2013)

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