The Social Economy course unit aims to introduce students to the concept of social economy and analyze its emergence in Portugal and in Europe. Reflect on the relationship between social economy and social service, translated in the social sector organizations by a process of specialization for the production of services and goods of social character. To analyze how social service can be seen, through the values that guide the profession, as a guarantee that the implementation of new orientations does not modify the original values of the social economy, reflected in the Mission, Vision and Values pursued.