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:
5.10. 9-16
1.-7.11. 9-19

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.

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!

The study unit is carried out online. The code of conduct for this study unit requires each participant to log into Zoom with their first and last name, and at all times use cameras and microphones.


**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. The study unit is carried out in the international project VISIT where we will be developing new services for businesses on European islands. Other participants in the study unit come from different countries, such as Sweden, Germany, and Croatia.

International connections

International environment
International guest lecturers

Completion alternatives

Update: this will not be possible this autumn (2021) due to restrictions.
If we get to travel, there is the possibility that during the intensive week some students can travel to Germany to do the studies there. Laurea supports its own degree program students with some financial support for a trip like this, but the student needs to also pay some costs themselves.
This opportunity will probably be known only in the autumn. All participants who wish to travel need to have the full vaccinations against COVID-19.

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.