This course will introduce the components of design thinking as a methodology to solve problems in an innovative way. The application of design thinking to real-world problems will be explored and discussed.

Innovation is a hallmark of any successful organization. Incorporating the principles of design thinking to organizational and social problems can help bring about innovative solutions to these issues.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (8)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 200 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 150 words. (CLO: B, C)

Social Enterprise Project Assignments (9)

The student will create a prototype around a chosen social enterprise concept. 

The project is divided into six milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure final quality submissions. The student will submit milestones in Modules One, Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six. The final submission will be due in Module Seven, with a project presentation in Module Eight. (CLO: A,B,C)

Social Enterprise Project: Empathize Assignment

The student will develop a written document, choosing the organization or social problem that they wish to create a prototype for during the course. The work is subject to course guidelines and the instructor’s approval.

Social Enterprise Project: Customer Persona Assignment

The student will develop a written document and visual addressing the potential user/customer of a solution to their organization or social problem. The student’s visual should include the goals, desires, and needs of this user/customer, and the written document needs to document stories and pictures that a typical user/customer experiences.

Social Enterprise Project: Problem Statement Assignment

The student will develop a shared understanding of their organization/social problem. The student will formulate their collected findings in a written document outlining the direction and framework for ideation.

Social Enterprise Project: Creative Brief Assignment

The student will develop a written document that translates their problem statement into a structured task answering the questions: “Why? Who? What? With What? Who else? How much? When? How?”

Social Enterprise Project: Concept Development Assignment

The student will develop a written document discussing three ways to solve the problem and how they came to their final solution.

Social Enterprise Project: Prototype Assignment

The student will build out a prototype for one of their solutions in a good enough stage to test a function or an experience.

Social Enterprise Project: Testing Assignment

The student will conduct a survey gathering data on their prototype. The student will document the test and the results in a written document.

Social Enterprise Project: Final Submission Assignment

The student will refine their prototype based on their testing results and submit their final prototype for their Social Enterprise Project.

Social Enterprise Project: Pitch Assignment

The student will deliver a 7–10-minute presentation of the Social Enterprise Project that is reflective of all the work completed during the course.