Intercultural Approach to Design Thinking (10 cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- communicate in English in a professional way in his/her own field of study
- apply intercultural management into practice
- apply intercultural theories into practice
- plan and develop services by applying service design thinking

Location and time

Students are required to work every week efficiently during the study unit.
You will confirm your participation in the study unit by being present during the first session. If you are sick you need to inform the teachers before the first session has begun. There should not be other reasons to be unavailable during the first session.Contact sessions:
6.10. 9-16
13.10. 9-16
20.10. 9-16
27.10. 9-16
3.11. 9-16
10.11. 9-16
17.11. 9-16
24.11. 9-16
30.11. 9-18
1.12. 9-18
2.12. 9-18

In addition, during all the weeks students will work in teams outside of class.
Students need to attend the contact sessions because they include hands-on work.
In order to get a grade, students must also visit the client.

Materials

Design Thinking materials, you can consult also books in the library
Cultural theory books

Teaching methods

During the study unit, students will work in teams with a client to develop services. The implementation of the study unit is partially intensive, which means that the study unit is carried out during a short period of time . Students need to be prepared to work efficiently and actively during the studies.
The studies include English studies that are integrated into the study unit, following Laurea's learning approach Learning by Developing. In addition to working in English, the study unit focuses on intercultural theories and Design Thinking.
Exchange students are welcome!

**This study unit is a finalist in the 2019 Quality Innovation Award in Higher Education in Finland**

Employer connections

You will work with a client to create new service ideas for them.

Exam schedules

Contact sessions:

International connections

International environment
International guest lecturers

Completion alternatives

Only for Laurea's own degree program students:
you can apply separately to join an intensive week by sending a written application in English by email to the teacher responsible (Kristina) by 27 May, where you should state why you should be chosen to participate in the intensive week. Applicants will be invited to short interviews online.

Check out this video to see how our students have experienced intensive weeks:
https://video.laurea.fi/media/Intensive+Studies+2018-2019+Movie/0_0zyopg04

There is now only one option (due to the pandemic we need to transfer the others to be held later):
Teachers who interview will make the selections based on the written applications and interviews on who will be selected for which intensive week of those who are selected.

**due to the corona pandemic, we are still waiting for the borders to open and for the restrictions to be removed for travel etc. Nevertheless, if you are adventurous, you can apply and we interview those who are suitable for the intensive weeks. Teachers are the ones who choose who can go where, while the student can apply for an intensive week in general. In case we cannot organize the intensive week on location, there might be the option that we organize then intensive studies online but LIVE.**


intensive week in Kiel, Germany during 8-14 November 2020
Students participating in this intensive week will get financial support from Laurea to help cover the costs in Germany. The support does not cover all costs, but it should cover at least the flights and maybe some more. Also this intensive week requires students to carry out pre- and post assignments in order to total 10 ECTS.

Student workload

10 ECTS= 270 hours of work/student

Evaluation scale

H-5

Further information

Laurea students: the English level test must be carried out before signing up for this study unit. In case the test result is fail, then the prep course in English must be successfully completed before joining this study unit.