Course syllabus - Foresight and Scenario Design

Objectives

The course shall give the student basic knowledge and skills in the field of foresight and scenario design and how this field relates to innovative processes and abilities.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student shall be able to:
- give an account of the theories and methods used in foresight and scenario design
- give an account of how foresight and scenario design relates to innovation processes and abilities
- give an account of how foresight and scenario design can be adapted to different organizational contexts
- act methodologically in creating basic scenarios
- use a selection of tolls for research, analysis and communication of results
- take a nuanced reflective stance upon theories in use and the topics at hand

Course content

Questions addressed during the course:
- What is foresight and scenario design?
- Can an organization increase its innovative ability by working with foresight and scenario design, and then how?
- How is a foresight study carried out?
- How is a scenario project carried out?
- What tools and mental models can be used in foresight and scenario design studies?
- What employee categories are usually involved in foresight and scenario design studies, and what are their different roles?
- How does foresight and scenario design relate to organizational management and strategy?
- How does foresight and scenario design relate to innovation management and concepts like trend tracking, business environment analysis and organizational intelligence?
- Your questions.

Tuition

The tuition is carried out through lectures, individual and group assigned tasks, seminars and one mayor presentation. Great emphasis is put on information handling and independent group learning.

Specific requirements

Trendspotting 7,5 ECTS credits or 60 ECTS credits in a subject free of choice and a TOEFL test result (PBT) at least 530, TWE score 4, (iBT) at least 72, TWE score 17 or IELTS test score for academic purposes with an overall band score of minimum 5.5 and no band score below 5.0. The English test is COMPULSORY for all applicants except citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and USA. The TOEFL code you must use is SWEDEN 9520.

Examination

Group assignment with written, oral and visual reports (GRU1), 3 ECTS credits, marks Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG)
Individual assignment (INL1), 0.5 ECTS credits, marks Pass (G)
Individual assignment (INL2), 0.5 ECTS credits, marks Pass (G)
Individual assignment (INL3), 0.5 ECTS credits, marks Pass (G)
Individual assignment (INL4), 0.5 ECTS credits, marks Pass (G)
Individual assignment plus seminar (INL5), 2 ECTS credits, marks Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG)
Seminar (SEM1), Group opposition with written, oral and visual reports, 0.5 ECTS credits, marks Pass (G)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail