We've all watched Covid-19 dramatically alter our lives in the last year - it has more than earned its title of "game changer". One of the more troubling aspects of the pandemic is how human behavior has worked against efforts to stem its spread. This is the perfect human-centered design problem, and one that this class will address using the principles of design thinking. This course is an intensive deep dive into the intersection of human-centered design and the need for innovative, sustainable solutions. This class will teach you to question and think deeply, to produce novel ideas and synergies between existing ones, and make those ideas tangible and visible to others. This interpretive approach stands in stark contrast to more traditional methods that are often driven solely by numbers, analysis, and rationality. As someone who is interested in advancing the common good, you need to learn how to use both methods in tandem.
Comment from a former student: "If you want to ensure true impact, take PA 5190. It provides a blueprint for approaching problems that seem too ‘wicked', recognizing stakeholders that are otherwise ignored, overcoming fears of failure, and finding solutions through the power of collective thought and action. The skills and tools I learned in this class will be useful to me for the rest of my life - they have helped me take better notes, conduct better interviews, tell better stories. Regardless of where you are in your graduate studies, and even your area of research, you'll benefit from PA 5190." - 3rd year PhD student, CEHD.
CLASS WILL BE OFFERED REMOTELY. Class will meet synchronously-online in Spring 2021 during the scheduled time.