WHAT DOES THIS CERTIFICATE LOOK LIKE?

IST 520 Introduction to Futures Thinking and Foresight Practice (4)

This course introduces futures thinking and the related social science anchored practice of foresight. It includes a history and evolution of futures practice in the private and public sector in the U.S., as well as internationally. As an emerging social science and growing presence in emerging government and private sector practice, futures thinking and work acknowledges deep acceleration in change, disruption and related volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity and a need for navigation skills to succeed in “post-normal” times. This includes attention to technological change, climate change, geo-political shifts and such topics as the future of work, food, learning and more. With a strong backdrop of psychology, sociology, the arts, technological and other geo-political dimensions in intentionally interdisciplinary ways, futures practice is a collection of applied skills and tools related to developing a specific type of anticipatory thinking, applied ethics in a futures context and related change management/navigation skills. It is also about increasing proficiency in building collective intelligence, imagination, agency and agility in individuals, groups, organizations and civic collectives with regard to self-determination and democratically anchored futures planning. Finally, it is about new ways of understanding knowledge, power and aspirations for the evolution of people and the world. Issues of equity and strategies to democratize co-creation of shared futures, acknowledge/address bias and patterns of inequity will be prioritized.

This course will include a broad overview of theories, methods, skills, research and applications of these methods locally, nationally and globally.

IST 521 Applied Futures Thinking and Foresight Practice (4)

This course is an advanced class to deepen student understanding and knowledge of futures thinking and the related skills of applied foresight to real world interdisciplinary challenges. It includes an overview of settings and methods where foresight is currently being practiced in both the public and private sectors, and profiles of futurists who lead these processes. With a special focus on leading efforts to build foresightfulness within communities and/or organizations through trend mapping, power analysis, goal setting in a “VUCA” practice environment (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity), students will learn the fundamentals of engaging individuals, groups and organizations in a positive experience of navigating futures conceptualization and planning. Issues of equity and strategies to democratize co-creation of shared futures, acknowledge/address bias and patterns of inequity will be prioritized. The course includes introduction, practice and practical application of a variety of futures/foresight tools with a goal of completing a beginning foresight activity with a community organization/business of the student’s choosing.