Law of Social Enterprise

The Law of Social Enterprise. This course will cover the existing and developing law of ?social enterprise.? Although there is no universally accepted legal definition of ?social enterprise,? the term generally refers to using market-based approaches (such as selling products or services) to solve complex social problems, instead of using more traditional, and primary charitable, methods to solve such problems. The principal focus of the course will be upon federal and state laws that are uniquely applicable when an organization engages in social enterprise. For example, the course will consider laws limiting the conduct of commercial activities by nonprofit organizations as well as laws requiring for-profit organizations to maximize shareholder wealth, even when doing so is arguably detrimental to employees, the environment, the community or other stakeholders. Successful completion of at least one of the following courses is a prerequisite, although it may be taken concurrently with this course: Corporations, Unincorporated Business Associations, Business Tax, or Nonprofit Organizations.