Course Title: Innovation & Systems Thinking

Course Code: GS 104
Credit Value: 3 Credits

Contact Hours

• Lectures: 2 hours/week

• Workshops / Studios: 2 hours/week

Duration: 15 Weeks (One Semester)
Prerequisite: None

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces students to innovation methodologies and systems thinking as structured approaches to understanding and solving complex real-world problems.

Students learn to analyze interconnected systems, identify causal relationships and leverage points, and design practical and context-sensitive solutions across technological, social, environmental, and economic domains.

The course emphasizes problem-solving in African and local contexts, collaborative innovation processes, and applied studio-based learning focused on generating and testing ideas rather than abstract theory.

2. COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand innovation as a structured problem-solving process

2. Apply systems thinking to analyze complex and interconnected problems

3. Identify root causes of systemic problems rather than surface symptoms

4. Generate, evaluate, and refine innovative solutions

5. Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary innovation teams

6. Translate abstract ideas into actionable prototypes and concepts

3. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

• Explain core principles of innovation and systems thinking

• Construct and interpret systems maps showing relationships and feedback loops

• Apply structured ideation and design tools to real-world problems

• Evaluate solutions based on feasibility, desirability, and contextual relevance

• Develop and present innovation concepts using structured communication

• Demonstrate collaborative problem-solving in team-based environments