New Courses Offered in Social Innovation

Introduction to Design for Social Innovation
Taught by Katherine Canales, Creative Director of Frog Design
Unique: 62025

This course is for individuals interested in learning how to put the tools of design toward their passion for changing the world. “Design Thinking” has emerged as a popular term to describe the application of design theory to any number of problems. This course is both design thinking and design doing. Students will use the principles of design research, research synthesis, ideation, prototyping and storytelling to develop a thoughtful and compelling idea for a new product or service that has genuine impact and human value.  The tool kit learned during this course is a problem solving tool kit, applicable to problems outside the traditional boundaries of design.
 
Students will leave this course with 1) an understanding of design process, 2) a methodology for researching human needs at the heart of a problem, 3) frameworks for interpreting those needs into opportunities for a social business, 4) skills and confidence in rapid visualization and making ideas tangible through drawing and prototyping, 5) the thick skin required to take critique, and 6) techniques for making ideas resonate with potential funders and potential customers.

Download course syllabus (PDF)

Finance for Social Ventures
Taught by Dr. Meeta Kothare, founder and president of Neeva Solutions, LLC
Unique: 62030

This course is designed as an introduction to finance for students who aspire to be social entrepreneurs. Students who expect to support  social ventures during their careers as donors, financial investors, or board members will also find this course useful. By the end of the semester, students will

1. understand how to use financial tools for decision making in social ventures, and
2. become familiar with existing and evolving capital opportunities for funding nonprofit and for-profit social ventures.

Download course syllabus (PDF)