2020-2021 Law School Catalog

LAW-2066 Design Thinking for Lawyers & Business Professionals

Innovation and creativity are driving forces in today's economy. A new way of thinking has gained traction in the business world with a different approach to problem solving. It starts with understanding the client's needs and then developing new solutions using design principles. This human-centric approach -- Design Thinking -- is critical to the success of many businesses today. It is an essential skill for professionals succeeding in today's fast-moving environment. This one-week (January term) class will cover the fundamentals of Design Thinking and how to understand and approach client problems. We will start with a learning "boot camp" with experts on Design Thinking and then move quickly to collaborative exercises. We will then form groups to apply what we have learned to actual client problems. This will involve examining situations in which clients may not understand what lawyers and other professionals are saying or communicating in materials (contracts, agreements, etc.) and figuring out how to communicate differently, or in a way that will resonate with clients. The class is open to students who want to tap into their creative potential and develop skills that will help them thrive in our innovation economy. Intersession Course.

Credits

2