Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: STRUCTURED PROBLEM SOLVING: HOW TO EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY SOLVE COMPLEX PROBLEMS

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This course shows how to become a better problem solver by applying a rigorous, structured approach to the solution process. It explains how to combine innovative and critical thinking to, first, identify the right problem, to solve, and then develop proper solutions for it. Topics include problem definition cards, the use of issue trees, hypothesis-driven analysis, persuasive communication, and teamwork. Each student brings one problem - on which they work over the semester - and frequently shares their progress with the group as these problems become case studies. Cross-list: ENGI 545.