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 create synergies between them, as well as making those ideas tangible 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 PA5190. 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 PA5190." - Third Year PhD student, CEHD.
The class is project-based, where students work in groups to address real-world problems over a two- month period. We meet five times through the course of the semester on Saturdays for four hours each time, and a large part of the work is done outside of class time. The project involves students learning five elements of design-thinking: observation, problem definition, ideation, prototyping & iteration, and testing/evaluation. It's very hands-on, and relies on talking to those most closely affected by the problem students are trying to solve.