Student Testimonials
"The homework and the projects helped me reflect my own image, therefore helping me discover new interests and ways to ameliorate myself." -COLS 194 Student, Fall 2023
"The odyssey planning was definitely the best part of the course as it made me think about what I actually want to accomplish while I'm here, not just my major." -COLS 194 Student, Fall 2023
"To me, most all of the activities that we did I will continue to use in my personal and academic life. I learned how to organize my thoughts through mind mapping and with other material in this course I was able to learn that you aren’t always going to take the path that you imagined and that is ok." -COLS 194 Student, Fall 2023
Course Description
This First-Year Experience workshop teaches the research-based skills and mindsets of Design Thinking (innovative problem-solving strategies) and how to apply this toolkit to search for clear academic, personal, and career goals. Students will develop failure-resilient and exploratory mindsets and ask probing questions:
- Why am I in college?
- Who and what do I want to be?
- Where am I going?
Knowing that life and work will continue to change at an increasingly rapid pace, it becomes increasingly important to be able to re-invent yourself for future careers and societal needs again and again. This workshop will walk students through group-based activities that combine engaging readings, in-class discussion, reflective exercises, and out-of-class activities and interviews. Students will develop failure-resilient and exploratory mindsets while employing a tangible and step-by-step process for problem-solving. No specific majors or previous experience is required. Design Thinking is a framework that can be applied to school, work, and life in general. Design Thinking is not about “fixing” yourself. It is simply a tool by which to approach those moments when you feel stuck, lost, or unsure.
In addition, students will work with each other, peer educators, and instructional faculty to understand campus resources and apply services to individualized situations. Design Thinking is rooted in the idea that life is messy and non-linear, but can be better designed with the right tools and attitude.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
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Explore and define academic, personal, and professional goals.
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Apply the Design Thinking framework to future problems.
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Develop capacity for resilience by reframing dysfunctional or counterproductive beliefs or views into opportunities for action.
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Utilize UM resources to navigate ambiguity.
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Participate in radical collaboration.
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Demonstrate enhanced written and oral communication skills through group-based projects, interviews, and presentations.
Course Goals
Design Thinking
Familiarize, practice, and apply the principles of Design Thinking to course exercises and personal aspirations.
Cohort Building
Interact and engage with peers, the campus community, and peer educators to establish meaningful relationships through UM Design Teams and other resources.
Well-Designed Life
Bridge Design Thinking and cohort building to help students understand and customize academic pathways. The student is at the center of this course.