Taking People With You: Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation - Writing Intensive

Catalog description

(cross-leveled with JOURN 7246 ). In this course, students explore the current landscape of entrepreneurship (with specific reference to the strategic communication space) and practice a human-centered approach to solving problems. Students will gain valuable leadership skills and develop the knowledge and mindset needed to pursue their own entrepreneurial ventures or to become innovators and "intrapreneurs" within existing organizations. The course introduces students to insight-driven approaches to innovation including David Novak's Taking People with You philosophy of leadership and design thinking while offering ample opportunities to put these methods into practice. To simulate the entrepreneurial process, students identify an unmet need or market opportunity and develop an innovative product or service to solve a real-world problem. "Startup teams" of four students engage in research, ideation, rapid prototyping, and iterative design to develop insights and a solution to meet the needs of real customers. Teams also conduct a market analysis, and develop a business model and go-to-market strategy for launching their startup and enlisting key partners to support their venture. The course culminates in a pitch competition in which teams present their ideas and strategies to a panel of industry experts and investors. In the process, students gain valuable leadership skills, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and learn how to work with diverse teams and audiences to collaborate and solve problems. This is one of the three courses comprising the Leadership Interest Area in Strategic Communication. Students admitted to this course are also given priority to participate in the Novak Future Leaders Tour to San Francisco, where they gain exposure to ideas and leaders at some of the world's most innovative companies and organizations. Graded on A-F basis only. Credit Hour s : 3 Prerequisites: Restricted to Journalism majors only. 60 credit hours earned