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Social Investment and Philanthropy

Unit Code: HSI404




Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

One semester, block mode or equivalent

36 hours

Hawthorn

Nil

Nil

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Graduate Certificate of Social Impact (CMSI440) .

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Aims & Objectives:

This unit will introduce the history, core concepts and current issues in the fields of philanthropy, fundraising and social enterprise. It will introduce students to the major changes that are reshaping the role of philanthropy both internationally and in the Australian context. These include global economic realignments, the privatisation of community services; changed approaches to the resourcing of educational, scientific, research and cultural institutions; new patterns of wealth distribution and of inter-generational wealth transfer; greater expectations of the role of corporate citizenship and of corporate philanthropy; and a world-wide renewal of interest in the idea of ‘the civil society’.

The unit also aims to introduce students to the forces that are extending the meaning of philanthropy by encouraging the growth of new forms of 'social investment', in which commercial enterprise is being shaped by social as well as financial goals. Students will be introduced to create innovative, and sometimes hybrid, models of sustainable community services, environmental protection and social development, as well as new business opportunities.
 
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to: 
  • demonstrate a general theoretical understanding of the key concepts and debates in the field of philanthropy and social investment
  • apply their theoretical understanding of these concepts and issues to their own environment and situations
  • critique and defend the various facets of social investment practice
  • function and contribute at a high level in a team environment

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Teaching Methods:

Seminars and workshops

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Assessment:

Critical literature review (individual): 25-35%
Individual Case Study: 35-45%
Group Project: 25-35%

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Generic Skills Outcomes:

Learners bring to Swinburne University of Technology a range of experiences and graduate with individual understandings, abilities and attitudes. Within this context it is the intent of Swinburne that all its graduates:
  • are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas;
  • operate effectively in work and community situations;
  • adaptable and manage change;
  • are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community; and
  • are aware of the dynamic nature of environments.

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Content:

  • Fundamental concepts, issues and debates in philanthropy and social investment
  • Current forces shaping social investment 
  • Patterns of giving and fundraising
  • Ethical and philosophical perspectives
  • An international historical overview
  • management and legal aspects of social investment programs
  • Social investment and social change
  • Current developments and controversies

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Reading Materials:

Kass, Amy (ed): Giving Well, Doing good: Readings for Thoughtful
Philanthropists, Indiana University Press, Indiana, 2008

Karoff, Peter (ed.): Just Money: A Critique of Contemporary American
Philanthropy, TPI, Boston 2004

Meacham, Vanessa: A Guide to Giving for Australians, Philanthropy
Australia, Melbourne 2006
http://www.philanthropy.org.au/involved/guidetogiving.htm

Osberg, Sally and Martin, Roger: ‘Social Entreprenuership: the case
for Definition’, Stanford Social Innovation Review, 2007
http://www.skollfoundation.org/media/skoll_docs/2007SP_feature_martinosberg.pdf


Payton, Robert: Understanding Philanthropy: Its Meaning and Mission,
Indiana University Press, Bloomington 2008

‘The Business of Giving: a Survey of Wealth and Philanthropy’, The
Economist, Feb 25 2006

Prime Minister’s Business Community Partnership: Giving Australia:
Research on Philanthropy in Australia,
http://www.philanthropy.org.au/community/transcripts/Giving%20Australia%20Summary.pdf


Schervish, Paul: (a number of important analyses on the coming wealth
transfer are at http://www.generousgiving.org/page.asp?sec=28&page=209

Prince, Russ: The Seven Faces of Philanthropy: a new approach to
cultivating major donors, Jossey-Bass, 1994

Wright, Karen: Generosity versus Altruism: Philanthropy and charity in
the US and the UK, Civil Society Working Papers 17, LSE, London, 2001,
http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/CCS/pdf/Cswp17_web.pdf

Fulton, Katherine and Blau, Andrew: Looking out for the Future: An
Orientation for Twenty-first Century Philanthropists, Global Business
Network, USA 2005
http://www.futureofphilanthropy.org/project_final_report.asp

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