Duke University Sociology of Entrepreneurship (SOC 159)

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Class Logistic Information:
Instructor Information: Evan L. Jones; evan@brightleafpartners.com
Phone: 401-6501; Office Hours: By appt., preferably before or after class

Class location & Time: Tu-Th 6:00-7:15 in Soc/Psych Building Room

Required Materials: Readings for the course have been drawn from a variety of books, journals, and the business press.  They are available via the Coursepak purchased from the Instructor. There is no textbook for this class. Students are expected to check the website the night before each class as materials may be added that are to be printed and brought to class. Any readings that students are responsible for will be added to the website at least 1 week in advance.

E-mail: Students are expected to check their personal e-mail and the SOC159 website for information regarding the class throughout the semester.


Course Description:
The goal of this course is to provide students with a survey of intellectual thought on the subject of entrepreneurship. Knowledge and application of theory are emphasized. This course considers the historical origins and current causes of entrepreneurship. The primary emphases are sociological, although entrepreneurial actors and activities are examined from psychological, political, and economic perspectives. 

Entrepreneurship is considered from a supply side perspective--the personal, social, and cultural characteristics of entrepreneurs--and a demand side perspective--the organizational, economic, and societal conditions that give rise to new enterprise.

Projects:
Students will be assigned to a team of two students to work on a "Company Analysis" project and an "Interview with an Entrepreneur". Teams will be created alphabetically.

Interview with a SOcial Entrepreneur Project
- See "Visit with a Social Entrepreneur" sheet in your class binder for description
- You do not have to ask every one of the questions on the Exercise sheet; it serves as a guide and ideas for the interview.
- Students will do a written paper that follows the format on the Social Entrepreneur Profile Description in your binder

Company Analysis Project

COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT:
- Brief (1-2 page) Description of the company's new product, venture, or market
- Why you chose the new product, venture, or market- briefly
 - Most Importantly: use at least two theories discussed in class to explain why the new product/venture/market is/was/will be successful or not (include main points of the theory and how it relates)
- Provide evidence for your argument
- Implications/Conclusions

Your project will be graded for how well you develop each section.  Other criteria which will be factored into the grade include creativity, overall organization, and difficulty of the project.  Teams that are making class presentations do NOT need to turn in a paper, but you may submit copies of class presentation.
[Note: For the reference section of your papers/projects, if you use information found on the Internet, please see the web page on Internet (Electronic) reference formatting at www.apa.org/journals/webref.html]

Speaker Paper:
Individually each student will write a 1/2 page paper on each speaker. Discuss what you took away from the speaker and critique the speaker in general. There will be 2-3 speakers in class throughout the semester and attendance is important at these speaker events, as the speakers will be discussed in other class lectures.

Case Studies:
Case Study Assignments will be 1 page (1 page only) write-ups of the business case assigned. The assignment goal is to offer your opinion on how to act in the business situation presented. Consider yourself to be either a member of the management team or an outside consultant offering advice. Given the 1 page limit; do not re-cap the case. Offer your solution to the situation.

Late papers, case studies, & projects: Late papers and projects will not be accepted. If you have a conflict, you should arrange for another student to hand in the assignment, e-mail the assignment to evan@brightleafpartners.com, or discuss the conflict with the professor in advance.

Grading
Midterm Exam 22.5% [Exams are multiple choice and short answer]
Interview with Entrepreneur Project 15% (inclusive of peer evaluations)
Company Analysis Project 15% (inclusive of peer evaluations)
Speaker Papers 5% ; 1 page per speaker ; 5% total
Case Studies 10% (2 separate 1 page case studies, 5% each)
Final Exam 22.5% [Exams are multiple choice and short answer]
Class Participation 10%