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.
The study unit runs during weeks 3-13.
Contact sessions planned are (subject to change):

19 Jan, 9-16 contact in Zoom
26 Jan 9-16 distant work
2 Feb 9-16 distant work
9 Feb 9-16 guidance in class / teaching / teamwork
16 Feb 9-16 Zoom teaching and teamwork
23 Feb 9-16 contact in class teaching guidance teamwork
2 Mar 9-16 Zoom teaching and teamwork
9 Mar 9-16 distant work
15 Mar 9-16 guidance in class teamwork
23 Mar 9-16 teaching in class
29 Mar 9-18 Zoom teaching and teamwork
30 Mar 9-18 Zoom teaching and teamwork
31 Mar 9-18 Zoom teaching and teamwork

In addition, during all the weeks (3-13) 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 at the end of the study unit three days will be work in an intensive way. 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

The study unit runs during weeks 3-13.
Contact sessions planned are (subject to change):

19 Jan, 9-16 contact in Zoom
26 Jan 9-16 distant work
2 Feb 9-16 distant work
9 Feb 9-16 guidance in class / teaching / teamwork
16 Feb 9-16 Zoom teaching and teamwork
23 Feb 9-16 contact in class teaching guidance teamwork
2 Mar 9-16 Zoom teaching and teamwork
9 Mar 9-16 distant work
15 Mar 9-16 guidance in class teamwork
23 Mar 9-16 teaching in class
29 Mar 9-18 Zoom teaching and teamwork
30 Mar 9-18 Zoom teaching and teamwork
31 Mar 9-18 Zoom teaching and teamwork

In addition, during all the weeks (3-13) 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.

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 1 December, where you should state why you should be chosen to participate in the intensive week. Applicants will be invited to short interviews in December and January in Zoom.

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 are two options:
1) Fehmarn, Germany: 23-30 May 2021
2) Vis, Croatia 16-22 May 2021
Each week is part of the VISIT project where students and teachers from Sweden, Germany, Croatia and Scotland will join our students and teachers. Basic accommodation and meals, as well as travel organized by the project are free of charge for the students. In addition to the intensive week, the students will have pre- and post-assignments to carry out in order to receive a total of 10 ECTS.

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.

Student workload

10 ECTS= 270 hours of work/student

Evaluation scale

H-5

Further information

Communication during the study unit:
we use Canvas for documenting the study process
personal matters should be emailed to the teacher responsible (or all teachers if you like)
Canvas has means to send messages to teachers

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.

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.