COMM5703 Social Impact Investment - 2023

Subject Code
COMM5703
Study Level
Postgraduate
Commencing Term
Term 2
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
6
Delivery Mode
T2 Online
School
UNSW Business School
This course outline is for the current term. To view outlines from other years and/or terms, visit the archives

1. Course Details

Summary of Course

Social Impact Investment first provides an introduction to social impact investment and the ecosystem of diverse players, before examining in more detail contemporary examples of social impact investments, and exploring the current developments, trends and challenges in social impact investment. It is delivered using applied learning methodologies, and is aimed at providing the knowledge necessary to actively engage in the analysis, development and application of social impact investment strategies from an investor, investee and policy development perspective.

The course is worth six (6) units of credit. 

Teaching Times and Locations

Please note that teaching times and locations are subject to change. Students are strongly advised to refer to the Class Timetable website for the most up-to-date teaching times and locations.


The course is delivered online over 10 teaching weeks from Monday 29th May until Friday 4th August 2023. No face-to-face attendance is required but online participation is treated as equivalent to attendance and the UNSW Business School requirement of 80% attendance applies to online participation and activities.
Students are expected to be online in O week, from Monday 22nd May 2023.

View course timetable

Course Policies & Support

The Business School expects that you are familiar with the contents of this course outline and the UNSW and Business School learning expectations, rules, policies and support services as listed below:

  • Program Learning Outcomes
  • Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
  • Student Responsibilities and Conduct
  • Special Consideration
  • Protocol for Viewing Final Exam Scripts
  • Student Learning Support Services

View course Policies and Support

Course Aims and Relationship to Other Courses

COMM5703 Social Impact Investment is offered by the Centre for Social Impact and is an elective in the following programs: 

  • Graduate Certificate in Social Impact (7357);
  • Graduate Diploma in Social Impact (5357);
  • MBAX Social Impact specialisation (this course may also count as an elective in other MBA programs upon request).

Students are required to complete (or study simultaneously) the core course, COMM5701 Social Impact, before enrolling into this elective course.

The emerging field of social impact investment is increasingly recognised around the world as holding enormous potential for unlocking private capital to deliver positive impact for society and our environment. It is enabling new solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges, expanding the toolkit available to deliver positive societal impact, and helping to shape a new contemporary landscape that blurs the traditional bifurcated view between investment and philanthropy. Positive outcomes are already being seen in areas as diverse as aged care, health, social housing, education, clean water and sanitation, renewable energy, financial inclusion and sustainable agriculture.

As social impact investment gains momentum, there is an increasing awareness that, like commercial investment, successful social impact investment requires skills, knowledge, tools and techniques, and thoughtful decision-making. Building on the introduction to social impact investment in the COMM5701 core course, COMM5703 Social Impact Investment aims to equip students with knowledge about the contemporary operating environment and practices for social impact investment and develop critical awareness of the various stages in the process of social impact investment, from need identification to evaluation of financial and impact performance.

In this course we explore the history, concepts and current practices in the field of social impact investment. It includes an overview of the emergence of social impact investment in Australia and globally; an examination of the underpinning principles and differentiating characteristics of social impact investment; an exploration of the ecosystem for social impact investment; an introduction to a range of social impact investment instruments, drawing on local and international examples; an overview of frameworks for impact measurement, investment due diligence and construction of impact investment portfolios; and an examination of the current developments, trends and challenges in social impact investment.

Additional Course Details

Links to all required and optional resources are on the reading list for your course in the UNSW Library's Leganto system, which you can access via your Moodle course. Please note you will need to login and may be required to enter your UNSW zID and zPass in order to access the library site.

Required readings consist of core texts and their applications. Readings are chosen to provide both theoretical foundation and to illuminate their meaning and usage in professional contexts. The readings are not to be studied in detail but designed to initiate thinking and understanding of key themes in social systems and change. 

2. Quality Assurance and Course Alignment

Quality Assurance

The program is aligned to a number of international standards, to ensure the courses you study are high quality. At present, this includes designing courses to:

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Goals and Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes Course Assessment Item
PLO 1: Business knowledge2. demonstrate understanding of key instruments of social impact investment
Assessment 1 : Participation
Assessment 2 : Group Presentation (30%) + Peer Mark (5%)
Assessment 3 : Advisory Report
PLO 2: Problem solving3. identify and critically evaluate the roles and interrelationships of diverse players in the social impact investment ecosystem
Assessment 1 : Participation
Assessment 2 : Group Presentation (30%) + Peer Mark (5%)
Assessment 3 : Advisory Report
PLO 3: Business communication4. explain the trends, drivers and challenges shaping the dynamics of the social impact investment market in Australia and globally
Assessment 1 : Participation
Assessment 2 : Group Presentation (30%) + Peer Mark (5%)
Assessment 3 : Advisory Report
PLO 4: Teamwork5. conduct individual and team analyses of contemporary examples of social impact investments and explain their underlying financial characteristics and social impact
Assessment 2 : Group Presentation (30%) + Peer Mark (5%)
PLO 5: Responsible business practice6. develop research and communication skills necessary to engage in informed discussions on the application of social impact investment across a range of organisations and impact areas.
Assessment 1 : Participation
Assessment 2 : Group Presentation (30%) + Peer Mark (5%)
Assessment 3 : Advisory Report
PLO 6: Global and cultural competence1. discuss the drivers of the emergence of social impact investment and the role it plays within the capital spectrum
Assessment 1 : Participation
Assessment 2 : Group Presentation (30%) + Peer Mark (5%)
Assessment 3 : Advisory Report
PLO 7: Leadership development
–
Not specifically addressed

3. Staff Contact Details

Position Name Email Location Phone Consultation Times
Course Authoritymanfred Bauer Cosenza
–
–
TBA

Course Authority: Manfred Bauer

Manfred is currently the Head of Portfolio Management at Sefa providing access to social finance in the form of direct lending, co investment opportunities, blended deals and syndicate structures. Manfred has over 12 years' experience in sustainable development, financial innovation, and multilateral partnerships, with proven track record in business acceleration, impact investing funds creation and deployment, due diligence and deal structuring. He has been working in the United States, Mexico, Central America, Brazil and Australia, leading projects to regionalize operations, develop internal capacity in hybrid organisations (mix of grant and commercial revenue), nurture and leverage networks regionally, and foster cross sector partnerships to unlock private, public, and philanthropic capital. He's passionate about building resilient ecosystems for a more responsible and connected planet and brings a deep understanding of the global impact investment landscape to Sefa. Manfred has served as a Secretariat Representative for the Central American NAB (PiiC) for The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG). Manfred holds an MBA in Strategy and Finance, a Master's in Marketing Communications and a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering.

Email: m.bauer_cosenza@unsw.edu.au

Consultation: by appointment 

Centre for Social Impact Student Administration

Centre for Social Impact Student Team

Phone No: (02) 8936 0990

Email: csistudents@unsw.edu.au

4. Learning and Teaching Activities

Approach to Learning and Teaching in the Course

The teaching model of this course is fully online. You are encouraged to develop an inquiry-based approach to your learning with your facilitator guiding your learning. The Moodle site will provide access to multimedia resources and presentations that can provide you with the tools to examine, explore and discuss your learning with your co-participants and facilitator. The online resources will set the scene, framework and context for the topics being examined.  

Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies

In order to maximise the collaborative and experiential nature of this course, a flipped learning approach will be used that will help to support deeper student engagement and outcomes. Each topic will include a range of readings and other learning materials. Use will be made of the course Moodle site where the three online modules and other learning materials are located.

By engaging with the learning in this course you have three major resources to help you learn:

  1. The course materials, comprising readings, references, insights and commentary for each topic. You will do much of your learning outside the classroom by working through the course materials and associated activities.
  2. Your course facilitator whose role is to guide your learning by conducting class discussions, providing insights from practical experience and understanding of theory, providing you with feedback on your assignments, and directing discussions that occur between you and your co-participants.
  3. Your co-participants are an invaluable potential source of learning for you. Their work and life, and their willingness to question and argue with the course materials, the facilitator and your views, represent a great learning opportunity. They bring much valuable insight to the learning

Course Structure

This course is delivered fully online with 10 online units delivered over 10 weeks. Each unit consists of workbooks, learning materials and online activities. All activities including online discussion forums must be completed each week. Students are advised to familiarise themselves with the COMM5703 online Moodle site.

6. Course Resources

The University and the Business School provide a wide range of support services for students, including: 

  • Centre for Social Impact (CSI)

http://www.csi.edu.au/http://www.csi.edu.au/

Please direct any CSI education program, enrolment and administration queries here:

Email: csistudents@unsw.edu.au; Phone: (02) 8936 0990.

  • Business Student Centre

https://www.business.unsw.edu.au/students/resources/student-centre 

The Nucleus: Student Hub, Level 2, in the Main Library (UNSW map location F21)

Phone: (02) 8936 7005

  • Moodle eLearning Support

For online help using Moodle, go to: https://student.unsw.edu.au/moodle-support

For technical support, Email: itservicecentre@unsw.edu.au; Phone: (02) 9385 1333.

  • UNSW Learning Centre

Provides academic skills support services, including workshops and resources, for all UNSW students.

www.lc.unsw.edu.au 

  • Library services and facilities for students

https://www.library.unsw.edu.au/study/services-for-students 

  • IT Service Centre

https://www.myit.unsw.edu.au/

Provides technical support to troubleshoot problems with logging into websites, downloading documents, etc.

Office: UNSW Library Annexe (Ground floor); Phone: (02) 9385 1333

  • UNSW Counselling and Psychological Services

https://student.unsw.edu.au/wellbeing 

Provides support and services if you need help with your personal life, getting your academic life back on track or just want to know how to stay safe, including free, confidential counselling.

Office: Level 2, East Wing, Quadrangle Building

Phone: (02) 9385 5418; Email: counselling@unsw.edu.au

  • Equitable Learning Services

(formally Disability Support Services)

https://student.unsw.edu.au/els

Provides assistance to students who are trying to manage the demands of university as well as a health condition, learning disability or have personal circumstances that are having an impact on their studies. 

Phone: (02) 8374 9201; Email: els@unsw.edu.au

  • Nura Gili Indigenous Student Support 

https://www.nuragili.unsw.edu.au/contact-us/student-support 

Nura Gili's Academic Support Officers are available to assist Indigenous students 

Phone: (02) 9385 3805; Email: nuragili@unsw.edu.au

7. Course Evaluation & Development

Continual Course Improvement

Feedback is regularly sought from students and continual improvements are made based on this feedback. At the end of this course, you will be asked to complete the myExperience survey, which provides a key source of student evaluative feedback. Your input into this quality enhancement process is extremely valuable in assisting us to meet the needs of our students and provide an effective and enriching learning experience. The results of all surveys are carefully considered and do lead to action towards enhancing educational quality.

Student Response

Feedback from previous students in COMM5703 as well as other CSI online courses indicated a desire to restructure the requirements of the weekly discussion forums to provide more time at the beginning of the course to develop the skill of online deliberation and collaborative learning as well as the opportunity mid-way to reflect on the course learnings thus far and map for any additional knowledge that might be sought but not yet planned for the remaining weeks of the course.

Response to Student Feedback

Accordingly, the course structure has been slightly changed to accommodate these recommendations. It is hoped that this will enable students to focus on key course concepts in depth as well as reflect upon these concepts to solidify their understanding.

8. Course Schedule

Week Activity Topic Detail/Engagement Assessment Task
Week 1 Participation Emergence of Social Finance, Social Impact Investment & Philanthropy

Assessment 1: Online Participation - throughout the term 

Assessment 1 : Participation
Week 2 -Social Impact Investment in Action and the SDGs
–
–
Week 3 -The global and local landscape of Social Impact Investment
–
–
Week 4 -The role of government and efficient Intermediation for Social Impact Investment
–
Assessment 1 : Participation
Week 5 -Social Impact Bonds and Development Impact Bonds
–
–
Week 6 Assessment 2 DueTotal Portfolio Management

Assessment 2 Due

Assessment 2 : Group Presentation (30%) + Peer Mark (5%)
Week 7 -Sourcing, Selecting, Structuring and Managing Social Impact Investments
–
–
Week 8 -Equity and Responsible Exits
–
–
Week 9 -Impact Investment Readiness
–
–
Week 10 -Social Impact Investment Measurement & The Future of Social Impact Investment
–
–
Week 11 MyExperience Feedback & Assessment Task 3 DueNo class

Assessment 3 Due

Assessment 3 : Advisory Report

9. Policies and Support

Information about UNSW Business School protocols, University policies, student responsibilities and education quality and support.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Business School places knowledge and capabilities at the core of its curriculum via seven Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs). These PLOs are systematically embedded and developed across the duration of all coursework programs in the Business School.

PLOs embody the knowledge, skills and capabilities that are taught, practised and assessed within each Business School program. They articulate what you should know and be able to do upon successful completion of your degree.

Upon graduation, you should have a high level of specialised business knowledge and capacity for responsible business thinking, underpinned by ethical professional practice. You should be able to harness, manage and communicate business information effectively and work collaboratively with others. You should be an experienced problem-solver and critical thinker, with a global perspective, cultural competence and the potential for innovative leadership.

All UNSW programs and courses are designed to assess the attainment of program and/or course level learning outcomes, as required by the UNSW Assessment Design Procedure. It is important that you become familiar with the Business School PLOs, as they constitute the framework which informs and shapes the components and assessments of the courses within your program of study.

PLO 1: Business knowledge

Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and global business.

PLO 2: Problem solving

Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.

PLO 3: Business communication

Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.

PLO 4: Teamwork

Students will interact and collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose or fulfil a common business project, and reflect critically on the process and the outcomes.

PLO 5: Responsible business practice

Students will develop and be committed to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.

PLO 6: Global and cultural competence

Students will be aware of business systems in the wider world and actively committed to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others, and will apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse environments.

PLO 7: Leadership development

Students will develop the capacity to take initiative, encourage forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.

These PLOs relate to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.  Separate PLOs for honours and postgraduate research programs are included under 'Related Documents'.

Business School course outlines provide detailed information for students on how the course learning outcomes, learning activities, and assessment/s contribute to the development of Program Learning Outcomes.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

 

UNSW Graduate Capabilities

The Business School PLOs also incorporate UNSW graduate capabilities, a set of generic abilities and skills that all students are expected to achieve by graduation. These capabilities articulate the University’s institutional values, as well as future employer expectations.

UNSW Graduate CapabilitiesBusiness School PLOs
Scholars capable of independent and collaborative enquiry, rigorous in their analysis, critique and reflection, and able to innovate by applying their knowledge and skills to the solution of novel as well as routine problems.
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 7: Leadership development

Entrepreneurial leaders capable of initiating and embracing innovation and change, as well as engaging and enabling others to contribute to change
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 6: Global and cultural competence
  • PLO 7: Leadership development

Professionals capable of ethical, self-directed practice and independent lifelong learning
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 5: Responsible business practice

Global citizens who are culturally adept and capable of respecting diversity and acting in a socially just and responsible way.
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 5: Responsible business practice
  • PLO 6: Global and cultural competence

While our programs are designed to provide coverage of all PLOs and graduate capabilities, they also provide you with a great deal of choice and flexibility.  The Business School strongly advises you to choose a range of courses that assist your development against the seven PLOs and four graduate capabilities, and to keep a record of your achievements as part of your portfolio. You can use a portfolio as evidence in employment applications as well as a reference for work or further study. For support with selecting your courses contact the UNSW Business School Student Centre.




Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Academic Integrity is honest and responsible scholarship. This form of ethical scholarship is highly valued at UNSW. Terms like Academic Integrity, misconduct, referencing, conventions, plagiarism, academic practices, citations and evidence based learning are all considered basic concepts that successful university students understand. Learning how to communicate original ideas, refer sources, work independently, and report results accurately and honestly are skills that you will be able to carry beyond your studies.

The definition of academic misconduct is broad. It covers practices such as cheating, copying and using another person’s work without appropriate acknowledgement. Incidents of academic misconduct may have serious consequences for students.

Plagiarism

UNSW regards plagiarism as a form of academic misconduct. UNSW has very strict rules regarding plagiarism. Plagiarism at UNSW is using the words or ideas of others and passing them off as your own. All Schools in the Business School have a Student Ethics Officer who will investigate incidents of plagiarism and may result in a student’s name being placed on the Plagiarism and Student Misconduct Registers.

Below are examples of plagiarism including self-plagiarism:

Copying: Using the same or very similar words to the original text or idea without acknowledging the source or using quotation marks. This includes copying materials, ideas or concepts from a book, article, report or other written document, presentation, composition, artwork, design, drawing, circuitry, computer program or software, website, internet, other electronic resource, or another person's assignment, without appropriate acknowledgement of authorship.

Inappropriate Paraphrasing: Changing a few words and phrases while mostly retaining the original structure and/or progression of ideas of the original, and information without acknowledgement. This also applies in presentations where someone paraphrases another’s ideas or words without credit and to piecing together quotes and paraphrases into a new whole, without appropriate referencing.

Collusion: Presenting work as independent work when it has been produced in whole or part in collusion with other people. Collusion includes:

  • Students providing their work to another student before the due date, or for the purpose of them plagiarising at any time
  • Paying another person to perform an academic task and passing it off as your own
  • Stealing or acquiring another person’s academic work and copying it
  • Offering to complete another person’s work or seeking payment for completing academic work

Collusion should not be confused with academic collaboration (i.e., shared contribution towards a group task).

Inappropriate Citation: Citing sources which have not been read, without acknowledging the 'secondary' source from which knowledge of them has been obtained.

Self-Plagiarism: ‘Self-plagiarism’ occurs where an author republishes their own previously written work and presents it as new findings without referencing the earlier work, either in its entirety or partially. Self-plagiarism is also referred to as 'recycling', 'duplication', or 'multiple submissions of research findings' without disclosure. In the student context, self-plagiarism includes re-using parts of, or all of, a body of work that has already been submitted for assessment without proper citation.

To see if you understand plagiarism, do this short quiz: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism-quiz

Cheating

The University also regards cheating as a form of academic misconduct. Cheating is knowingly submitting the work of others as their own and includes contract cheating (work produced by an external agent or third party that is submitted under the pretences of being a student’s original piece of work). Cheating is not acceptable at UNSW.

If you need to revise or clarify any terms associated with academic integrity you should explore the 'Working with Academic Integrity' self-paced lessons available at: https://student.unsw.edu.au/aim.

For UNSW policies, penalties, and information to help you avoid plagiarism see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism as well as the guidelines in the online ELISE tutorials for all new UNSW students: http://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/elise. For information on student conduct see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/conduct.

For information on how to acknowledge your sources and reference correctly, see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/referencing. If you are unsure what referencing style to use in this course, you should ask the lecturer in charge.


Student Responsibilities and Conduct

​Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to university policies in relation to class attendance and general conduct and behaviour, including maintaining a safe, respectful environment; and to understand their obligations in relation to workload, assessment and keeping informed.

Information and policies on these topics can be found on the 'Managing your Program' website.

Workload

It is expected that you will spend at least ten to twelve hours per week studying for a course except for Summer Term courses which have a minimum weekly workload of twenty to twenty four hours. This time should be made up of reading, research, working on exercises and problems, online activities and attending classes. In periods where you need to complete assignments or prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. Over-commitment has been a cause of failure for many students. You should take the required workload into account when planning how to balance study with employment and other activities.

We strongly encourage you to connect with your Moodle course websites in the first week of semester. Local and international research indicates that students who engage early and often with their course website are more likely to pass their course.

View more information on expected workload

Attendance

Your regular and punctual attendance at lectures and seminars or in online learning activities is expected in this course. The Business School reserves the right to refuse final assessment to those students who attend less than 80% of scheduled classes where attendance and participation is required as part of the learning process (e.g., tutorials, flipped classroom sessions, seminars, labs, etc.).

View more information on attendance

General Conduct and Behaviour

You are expected to conduct yourself with consideration and respect for the needs of your fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct which unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such as ringing or talking on mobile phones, is not acceptable and students may be asked to leave the class.

View more information on student conduct

Health and Safety

UNSW Policy requires each person to work safely and responsibly, in order to avoid personal injury and to protect the safety of others.

View more information on Health and Safety

Keeping Informed

You should take note of all announcements made in lectures, tutorials or on the course web site. From time to time, the University will send important announcements to your university e-mail address without providing you with a paper copy. You will be deemed to have received this information. It is also your responsibility to keep the University informed of all changes to your contact details.



Student Support and Resources

​The University and the Business School provide a wide range of support services and resources for students, including:

Business School EQS Consultation Program
The Consultation Program offers academic writing, literacy and numeracy consultations, study skills, exam preparation for Business students. Services include workshops, online resources, individual and group consultations. 
Level 1, Room 1035, Quadrangle Building.
BUS.EQS.Consultations@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4508

Communication Resources
The Business School Communication and Academic Support programs provide online modules, communication workshops and additional online resources to assist you in developing your academic writing.

Business School Student Centre
The Business School Student Centre provides advice and direction on all aspects of admission, enrolment and graduation.
Level 1, Room 1028 in the Quadrangle Building
02 9385 3189

UNSW Learning & Careers Hub
The UNSW Learning & Careers Hub provides academic skills and careers support services—including workshops, individual consultations and a range of online resources—for all UNSW students. See their website for details.
Lower Ground Floor, North Wing Chancellery Building.
learningcentre@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 2060

Student Support Advisors
Student Support Advisors work with all students to promote the development of skills needed to succeed at university, whilst also providing personal support throughout the process.
John Goodsell Building, Ground Floor.
advisors@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

International Student Support
The International Student Experience Unit (ISEU) is the first point of contact for international students. ISEU staff are always here to help with personalised advice and information about all aspects of university life and life in Australia.
Advisors can support you with your student visa, health and wellbeing, making friends, accommodation and academic performance.
International.student@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

Equitable Learning Services
Equitable Learning Services (formerly Disability Support Services) is a free and confidential service that provides practical support to ensure that your health condition doesn't adversely affect your studies. Register with the service to receive educational adjustments.
Ground Floor, John Goodsell Building.
els@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

UNSW Counselling and Psychological Services
Provides support and services if you need help with your personal life, getting your academic life back on track or just want to know how to stay safe, including free, confidential counselling.
Level 2, East Wing, Quadrangle Building.
counselling@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 5418

Library services and facilities for students
The UNSW Library offers a range of collections, services and facilities both on-campus and online.
Main Library, F21.
02 9385 2650

Moodle eLearning Support
Moodle is the University’s learning management system. You should ensure that you log into Moodle regularly.
externalteltsupport@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 3331

UNSW IT
UNSW IT provides support and services for students such as password access, email services, wireless services and technical support.
UNSW Library Annexe (Ground floor).
02 9385 1333



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