ME2809 Trendspotting & Future Thinking 7.5 credits

• Educational level

  Second cycle

• Academic level (A-D)

  C

• Subject area

  Industrial Management
  

• Grade scale

  A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

• Course page on KTH Social

Learning outcomes

After this course the student should perceive trendspotting as a clear, understandable and approachable tool in new business creation and development and be able to:  

1. investigate the human fascination with the concept of the future and outline pitfalls in future thinking  

2. investigate and further develop the different ways in which future thinking can be mastered  

3. explore and discuss different types of trends from macro- and megatrends to fashionable fads and microtrends  

4. reveal and further develop reliable sources for trendspotting

Course main content

What unites different disciplines is the concept of speculating about future trends. Thinking about the future and what potential clues can divulge about how it will reveal itself unites people across disciplines and professional purposes. It is an area that is not owned by any one discipline. This course seeks to introduce the students to the concept of these trends, trendspotting and future thinking. Furthermore the course will introduce the students to the tools needed to understand trends and their role in society and how to best forsee and work with them in new business creation and developement.

Disposition

There will be 2 weekly sessions lasting 2 hours each for 7 weeks. Each session will focus on a different tool in the trendspotter’s toolbox, and be organized around the students insights gathered using the tool and discussions about the applicability of these insights. These tools include, but are not limited to:  

1. Visioning and scenario planning

2. Blogs and blogging

3. Anthropology and sociology

4. Interviews and focus groups

5.“Coolhunting”  

The course will mix and match lectures with debates, discussions and exercises by the students as well as leaders in the field.

Eligibility

Programme students at KTH must have a minimum of 120 ECTS, especially in the areas of design, technology, economics, medicine or biomedicine. A passionate interest in trends and the future will be helpful.

For all other students 180 hp is required as well as English A + B, or equivalent.

Prerequisites

Programme students at KTH must have a minimum of 120 ECTS.

For all other student 180 hp is requiered as well as English A + B, or equivalent.

Literature

Will be announced at the start of the course.

Examination

• PRO1 - Project, 7.5 credits, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Requirements for final grade

Attendance is compulsory.

Offered by

ITM/Industrial Economics and Management

Contact

Lisa Thorén-Forsanker, lisa.thoren@sses.se

Examiner

Terrence Brown

Supplementary information

All registration queries should be addressed to the SSES Education Registrat at registrar@sses.se.

The course is offered within the framework of The Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship.

 Responsible institution. Konstfack

Version

Course plan valid from: Autumn 10.
Examination information valid from: Autumn 08.