Subsistence Marketplaces (Coursera)

The foundation for this course lies with unique synergies between pioneering research, teaching, and social initiatives through the Subsistence Marketplaces Initiative. Unique to this approach is a bottom-up understanding of the intersection of poverty and the marketplace.

The goals of this course are to help you develop an understanding of marketplace activity in the radically different context of subsistence where much of humanity resides and survives, and for you to design solutions that can be implemented by individuals, businesses, and social enterprises through economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable products for subsistence marketplaces.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Course Orientation

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

Introduction to Subsistence Marketplaces Approach

In this module you will learn about the bottom-up approach to the study of subsistence marketplaces. The module will also discuss cognitive predilections engendered by low-income and low-literacy in subsistence marketplaces.

Graded: Module 1 Quiz

Graded: Module 1 Project Milestone

WEEK 2

Consumers and Entrepreneurs in Subsistence Marketplaces

In this module you will learn about emotions and coping behaviors in subsistence marketplaces. The module will also expose you to the life circumstances of consumers and entrepreneurs in subsistence marketplaces.

Graded: Module 2 Quiz

Graded: Module 2 Project Milestone

WEEK 3

Exchanges and Needs in Subsistence Marketplaces

In this module you will learn about unique aspects that characterize marketplace interactions between buyers and sellers in subsistence marketplaces. You will also learn about understanding needs and markets in subsistence marketplaces.

Graded: Module 3 Quiz

Graded: Module 3 Project Milestone

WEEK 4

Gaining Marketplaces Insights

In this module you will learn about gaining marketplace insights in subsistence marketplaces. You will also learn about environmental issues in subsistence marketplaces.

Graded: Module 4 Quiz

Graded: Module 4 Project Milestone

WEEK 5

Identifying Needs and Generating Ideas

In this module you will learn about understanding needs in subsistence contexts. You will also learn about a structured approach to generating ideas for addressing the needs in subsistence marketplaces.

8 videos, 5 readings, 2 readings

Graded: Module 5 Quiz

Graded: Module 5 Project Milestone

WEEK 6

Evaluating Ideas and Designing Solutions

In this module you will learn about evaluating ideas and designing various aspects of the chosen solution.

Graded: Module 6 Quiz

Graded: Module 6 Project Milestone

WEEK 7

Crafting an Enterprise Plan

In this module you will learn about how to craft a detailed enterprise plan for sustainably delivering a solution in subsistence marketplace.

Graded: Module 7 Quiz

Graded: Final Project Milestone

WEEK 8

Course Summary and Conclusion

In this module we will recapitulate some key concepts we have learned in the course and offer concluding thoughts.

Graded: Module 8 Quiz