Integrative Frameworks for Technology, Environment, and Society II

In the spirit of Herbert Simon, Frameworks engages diverse but complementary disciplines, perspectives and techniques to help identify, diagnose and constructively address consequential social challenges, sometimes referred to as "wicked problems". The disciplines – or 'frameworks' – explored include (in no order and to varying degrees) systems analysis, industrial design, scientific methods, behavioral and organizational dynamics, law, economics, risk management, manufacturing, culture, aesthetics, health sciences, history, branding, anthropology, statistics, public policy, ecology and the like. While individual frameworks are presented, the teaching goal over the two semesters is to help students: a) identify problems that are both consequential and tractable; b) select and apply the suite of frameworks best suited to addressing the problem at hand.

Frameworks I & II are designed both to complement the Collaborative Design Engineering Studio by offering conceptual support for applied solutions and to prepare students for the second year Independent Design Engineering Projects by focusing on problem definition, diagnostic techniques and the challenges of translating ideas into action.

This course will be held in person from the start of the term. This course will be held in room LL2.224 at the Science and Engineering Complex in Allston.