ENTREP 7027 - Foresight & Social Change

North Terrace Campus - Trimester 3 - 2017

This course aims to broaden student awareness of futures, how they are created, how they relate to individuals and societies and how innovation impacts upon them. The course particularly, but not exclusively, references emerging technologies and develops student capabilities with a range of foresight techniques. It encourages exploration of different social perspectives grounded in contrasting world views and engages with the question of change within our societies. The course is designed to increase the mindfulness of those involved in creating new ventures with respect to how science, technology and innovation generally influence and create social change

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ENTREP 7027
    Course Foresight & Social Change
    Coordinating Unit Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation & Innov Centre
    Term Trimester 3
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Intensive: 36 - 40 hours
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Assumed Knowledge ENTREP 5016
    Course Description This course aims to broaden student awareness of futures, how they are created, how they relate to individuals and societies and how innovation impacts upon them. The course particularly, but not exclusively, references emerging technologies and develops student capabilities with a range of foresight techniques. It encourages exploration of different social perspectives grounded in contrasting world views and engages with the question of change within our societies. The course is designed to increase the mindfulness of those involved in creating new ventures with respect to how science, technology and innovation generally influence and create social change
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Paul Steffens

    Program Director Contact Details:
    Innovation and Entrepreneurship (PG)
    Name: Prof Paul Steffens
    Phone: +61 8 8313 7512
    Email: paul.steffens@adelaide.edu.au


    Teaching Staff
    Trimester 3
    Name: Dr Kristin Alford

    Short Bio:

    Kristin established Bridge8 in 2004 following careers in engineering, human resources and product development across sectors including mining, R&D, aviation, agriculture and nanotechnology. She holds a PhD in process engineering and a Masters in strategic foresight, which combine to deliver insights into the development of emerging industry sectors including advanced manufacturing andclean technologies. Her work explores the links between innovation, economic development, social change and sustainability. Kristin is particularly interested in how we use ideas to create effective stories of the future and is the organiser of TEDxAdelaide. 

    She lectures in ‘Foresight and Social Change and Business and Carbon Management at the University of Adelaide and has published chapters in Negotiating our future: Living scenarios for Australia towards 2050 and Opportunities Beyond Carbon and, with her team, Big Ideas in Science – Vol 2 & 3. She is a member of the Association of Professional Futurists, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Foundation program and was a member of the Australian Government’s Expert Forum on Enabling Technologies.  

    Email: kristin.alford@adelaide.edu.au  
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Opening Intensive:
    Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd September 2017
    9am - 6pm
    Napier 210 Teaching Room

    Closing Intensive:
    Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd November 2017
    9am - 6pm
    Napier 210 Teaching Room
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1 Apply foresight methods including AQAL, CLA and Generic Foresight Process;
    2 Discuss different drivers of change including technological and social change and how these relate to entrepreneurship;
    3 Discuss foresight concepts including breadth of perspectives, depth, and images of the future;
    4 Critically evaluate the role of self and mindfulness in emerging futures; and
    5 Explain the importance of translating foresight into action for social change
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-4
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    4-5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    4-5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Text book:
    No set textbook.

     
    Readings are in the links listed in the Learning Activities Summary below, or are supplied via MyUni.

    It is recommended that students read the first set of readings listed for Day 1 (Slaughter, Hayward, Bussey) prior to the first intensive and come prepared for a discussion on “what is foresight?”

    Please note that pre-reading of other sources are not required prior to the first or second intensives. The remaining readings supplied are intended to add to the content covered, not be the basis of it.
    Recommended Resources
    Library Resources
    The University of Adelaide’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the University’s website. Access to the Library's electronic resources.
    Online Learning
    MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. It is used to support traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops at the University. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments for each online course of study.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as intensives.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours work (this includes face-to-face contact, any online components, and self directed study).
    Learning Activities Summary
    This is a draft schedule and session dates are a guide only. The timetable may be changed during the course delivery if necessary.

    Please note: Pre-reading of first set of sources for Day 1 is recommended prior to the first intensive. Pre-reading of other sources is not required. The remaining readings supplied are intended to add to the content covered, not be sole basis.

    Due to the experiential learning in exercises and in-class assessments, class absences can severely impact on satisfactory completion of assessment items. Participation and attendance in ALL course activity is critical to pass this course.
    Topic
    1 Introduction to Foresight
    2 Integral Perspectives on Emerging Technologies
    3 Worldviews & Levels of Adult Development
    4 Foresight in social change
    5 Images of the Future
    6 Purpose & Mindfulness
    7 Applying foresight to entrepreneurship (example)
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    An overview of the course assessment appears in the following Table. Details appear in the following section:

    #AssessmentLengthWeightingLearning Outcomes
    1a Online sharing – Cognitive Bias Min 500 words plus image and responses 10% plus 5% interaction 1, 3, 4
    1b Online sharing – Futures Perspectives Min 500 words plus responses 10% plus 5% interaction 2, 3
    1c Online sharing – Reflection Min 500 words 10% 1-5
    2 Group oral presentation on
    case study analysis
    20 min presentation + 5 min Q&A 20% 3, 5
    3 Long applied assignment 3,000 words 40% 1, 2, 3, 5
    Total 100%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students must complete all course assessment requirements and must attend lectures to be eligible to pass the course.
    Course results are subject to moderation by the ECIC Board of Examiners
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment 1: Discussion in online forums
    Weighting: 40%
    Submission Details: Online Forums in MyUni

    Task:
    There are three online submission topics as follows:
    a. Design an image that depicts a cognitive bias and how foresight might combat this, plus with a short description.
    Initial post: 10% plus 5% for interaction.
    b. Find and share an online article about a future idea along with your short response on the strengths and weakness of the article.
    Initial post: 10% plus 5% for interaction.
    c. Reflection – from your notes, provide a summary reflecting on your learning journey eg how your thinking has changed, where you might apply it. Post: 10%

    Length and Presentation:
    The object is quality and demonstrating your understanding of the concepts and ability to apply them. The initial analysis /response to the assigned discussion topics should be a minimum of 500 words and must be posted by midnight on the due date. It is expected you will read all discussion postings, and then post 3 - 4 follow-up responses to your classmates’ postings by end of that week.

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    • Demonstrated critical thinking, including applying tools and theory where relevant
    • Demonstrated complete understanding of the assignment and the underlying concepts
    • Met the minimum substantive expectations
    • Posted the required subsequent responses to the posts of your classmates or to the responses to your initial post – responses are substantive in nature and should include constructive feedback and meaningful inputs or extension to the discussion
    • Demonstrated good-quality writing, concise language choice and appropriate citations where relevant


    Assessment 2: Group oral presentation on case study analysis
    Weighting: 20%
    Submission Details: In class

    Task:
    In a small group, deliver an oral presentation on the outcomes of the analysis of a case study. Analyse a case study of social entrepreneurship and leadership, describing the image of the future for that entrepreneur, their perspectives on the future, the entrepreneurial environment and identifying factors that contributed to the entrepreneur’s successes and failures.

    Scope:
    This presentation will assess your understanding of the course topics, particularly identifying images of the future and understanding perspectives.

    Length and Presentation:
    The oral presentations are each allocated 20 mins plus 5 mins questions.

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    • Application of foresight tools and methods to the analysis
    • Demonstrated understanding of the entrepreneur’s vision, success and failures.
    • Presentation style and connection with the audience


    Assessment 3: Long applied assignment
    Weighting: 40%
    Submission Details: Online through MyUni

    Task:
    Identify a technology or innovation that is currently being developed. Using the elements of the Generic Foresight Process, evaluate broadly and deeply the issues associated with this technology or innovation for its specific market and within the broader social context. You should canvass the possible future scenarios and identify specific strategic actions that the developers could undertake to achieve their preferred vision for the future.

    Scope:
    This assignment will assess your understanding of the course topics, particularly in integrating foresight concepts such as breadth and depth, and identifying pathways for technological and social change.

    Length and Presentation:
    3,000 words in Microsoft Word format not including references

    Criteria by which your assignment will be marked:
    • Relevance of assignment in addressing the topic
    • Demonstrated understanding of concepts
    • Application of a foresight method to an appropriate example
    • Submission including timeliness and appropriate word length;
    • Presentation including good quality writing, the structure of the essay and correct referencing
    Submission
    All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni.
    Please refer to step by step instructions: MyUni Learning Centre

    There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:
    • Assignment Submission:  Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both). Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN, which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
    • Cover Sheet:  Please submit, separate to your assignment, the completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet providing details of yourself and your team members (if applicable), your assignment, the course, date submitted, etc. as well as the declaration signed by you that this is your (your team’s) work.  Note that the declaration on any electronically submitted assignment will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed declaration.
    • Backup Copy of Assignments:  You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments in case the submitted copy goes missing.  Please ensure that all assignment pages are numbered. If your assignment contains confidential information, you should discuss any concerns with the Course Lecturer prior to submission.
    • Extensions of Time:  Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assignment should be made well before the due date of the assignment to the Course Lecturer.  Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date.  Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and proof, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required.
    • Failure to submit: Failure to submit an assignment on time or by the agreed extension deadline may result in penalties and may incur a fail grade.  Note that a late penalty of 5% of the total available marks for that assessment item will be incurred each day an assignment is handed in late (Unless otherwise stated in 'Assessment Related Requirements' or 'Assessment Detail' above) Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.

    Resubmission & Remarking

    Resubmission of an assignment for remarking after reworking it to obtain a better mark will not normally be accepted.  Approval for resubmission will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

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    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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