Course directory

OAFP 9665 - Collective engagement: working together in social organisations

OAFP 9665 · Fall semester 2026-2027

Language of tuition
English
Course type
Cours séminaire
Number of hours
24
Credits
4

Information

Description

Social organizations gather people committed to making a change for the betterment of society. Depending on the country, they can be rooted in different legal forms: associations, NGOs, cooperatives, not for profits, benefit corporations, etc. Despite their differences, they all tend to attract purpose-driven people and are often faced with similar issues that collective engagement tools can help solve or soften.

Mixing organizations’ theory and key learnings from practitioners, this course will help you analyze issues within social organizations and suggest the most appropriate solutions to build engagement with different stakeholders. Through this course, you will learn and test tools to create convivial and efficient collectives, which better serve their social purpose.

This course is geared towards students who are either envisaging a career in social organisations or are curious about how to structure new ways of working collectively.

Prerequisites

A previous experience in a social organisation is an advantage, but not necessary to follow the course.

Teaching format

A mix of formal lectures and interactive learning formats.

Students who have already been part of a social organisation will be invited to share their experience.

Assessment

20% Class participation

40% Group work: world tour of social organisations in groups of 3 students.

Content and format will be assessed.

40% Individual written evaluation during the last session.

Workload

Short readings when necessary

Active participation in class

One group presentation

A written final exam

Readings

Main readings 5

  1. A Collective Work of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on SSE (UNTFSSE), Encyclopedia of the Social and Solidarity Economy, chapter 10 : Laville Jean-Louis, Origins and histories, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023 https://www.elgaronline.com/display/book/9781803920924/9781803920924.xml

  2. A Collective Work of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on SSE (UNTFSSE), Encyclopedia of the Social and Solidarity Economy, chapter 13 : Rieiro Anabel, The commons, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023 https://www.elgaronline.com/display/book/9781803920924/9781803920924.xml

  3. A Collective Work of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on SSE (UNTFSSE), Encyclopedia of the Social and Solidarity Economy, chapter 49 : Jeová Torres Silva Junior, Participation, governance, collective action and democracy, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023 https://www.elgaronline.com/display/book/9781803920924/9781803920924.xml

  4. A Collective Work of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on SSE (UNTFSSE), Encyclopedia of the Social and Solidarity Economy, chapter 51 : Utting Peter, Public policy, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023 https://www.elgaronline.com/display/book/9781803920924/9781803920924.xml

  5. A Collective Work of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on SSE (UNTFSSE), Encyclopedia of the Social and Solidarity Economy, chapter 57 : Akingbola Kunle and Brunt Carol, Working conditions and wages, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023 https://www.elgaronline.com/display/book/9781803920924/9781803920924.xml

Further readings 4

  1. Balazard Hélène, Cottin-Marx Simon, Burn-out militant: Comment s'engager sans se cramer, Payot, 2025 (not translated into English)

  2. Ferreras Isabelle, Battilana Julie, and Méda Dominique, Democratize Work, University of Chicago Press, 2022

  3. Latour Bruno, How to Inhabit the Earth, Interviews with Nicolas Truong, Polity, 2024

  4. Starhawk, The Empowerment Manual: A Guide for Collaborative Groups, New Society Publishers, 2011

Teaching units

Unit no.Unit type Teaching unitsTeachers Number of hoursCredits
19952Cours séminaire Collective engagement: working together in social organisations Raphaëlle CHAYGNEAUD-DUPUY244

Teachers

  • Raphaëlle CHAYGNEAUD-DUPUY