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SYLLABUS: ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN EMERGING ECONOMIES

Course Overview

The primary objective of the course is to engage students in the modern day challenges affecting emerging economies, and to examine a range of entrepreneurial attempts to solve these problems. We hope that you will leave this course with a deeper understanding of the ways in which entrepreneurial action can effectively tackle major problems in emerging economies, by combining knowledge of historical causes, qualitative and quantitative evidence, and context-specific knowledge of the commonalities and differences across emerging economies.

This course previously ran with a more specific focus on healthcare in South Asia. For this current version, we have added a range of examples that expand the focus to emerging economies more broadly, and also a new module on Urbanization and Population Dynamics. Although many of our examples are drawn from healthcare interventions in South Asia, no prior knowledge of business, entrepreneurship, healthcare, or South Asia is required.

Schedule

This is a self-paced course, meaning that you can work through the course and earn a certificate of completion at your own pace. Please see the course homepage for the deadline to upgrade to a verified certificate and the last day that the course will be open.

Assessment and Grading

Check for Understanding: 60%

These questions appear within each lesson and measure your comprehension of the course material. Your 2 lowest scores on these assignments will not be counted in your final grade.

Self Assessment: 40%

These questions ask you to evaluate your own performance in the discussion forum and your interactions with other learners in the course.

A Note about Locked Content

Example lock icon

Some content in edX is available only to learners who have purchased a verified certificate. Locked content is marked with a lock icon, as shown to the right. Click the image to see a full-sized version. If you are using screen reader software, you will hear "Content available only to verified-track learners."

When you see this icon, it indicates there are one or more graded assignments on this page. Verified learners will be able to see and complete these assignments, which will count toward their certificate of completion.

In addition, audit learners will lose access to the course after a certain number of weeks. The length of time varies by course, and is noted on the course signup page at edX.org. This time is counted from when you enroll or from when the course begins, whichever is later. Verified learners retain course access indefinitely.

If you have questions, please use the Contact Us link here or at the bottom of the page.

A Note about Grading 

The edX platform will count your score on all graded assignments as a 0 until you work through each one within each lesson in the course. For example, a perfect score on Lesson 1 will still leave you with a very low score in the course because all of the other graded assignments are registered as a 0. Keep working through the assignments and you will see your score grow and improve.

ID-Verified Certificate

To earn an ID-Verified Certificate of completion, you must earn cumulatively at least 65% across all graded items within the course. You can find your score on the Progress page. 

EdX provides certificates to those who have passed the course and verified their identity. If you pass the course you are eligible for a Verified Certificate. Your certificate will indicate you have successfully completed the course, but will not include a specific letter grade.

You can find out more about self-paced courses and certification in the EdX Learner's Guide.

Asking for Help

You can ask questions about the course material in the discussion forum. Look for the Help thread.

You can ask questions about the edX website, your edX account, verifying your identity, paying for an edX certificate, and more by contacting edX support.

Readings

Harvard Business School case studies, and other readings, are listed throughout the course. All readings are recommended only, and are not required to earn a passing grade.

We recommend that you obtain the following books written and co-written by the lead faculty for the course:

Honor Code

HarvardX requires individuals who enroll in its courses on edX to abide by the terms of the edX honor code. HarvardX will take appropriate corrective action in response to violations of the edX honor code, which may include dismissal from the HarvardX course; revocation of any certificates received for the HarvardX course; or other remedies as circumstances warrant. No refunds will be issued in the case of corrective action for such violations. Enrollees who are taking HarvardX courses as part of another program will also be governed by the academic policies of those programs.

Research Statement

HarvardX pursues the science of learning. By registering as an online learner in an HX course, you will also participate in research about learning. Read our research statement to learn more.

Nondiscrimination/Anti-harassment statement

Harvard University and HarvardX are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination or harassment in our program. All members of the HarvardX community are expected to abide by Harvard policies on nondiscrimination, including sexual harassment, and the edX Terms of Service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact harvardx@harvard.edu and/or report your experience through the edX contact form.