Innovation & Society
The General Curriculum
The program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that explores the transformative impact of innovation on society through a combination of theoretical analyses and practical case studies, engaging students with ethical, technological, and entrepreneurial perspectives to understand how bold ideas and new technologies shape economies, cultures, and institutions. The program consists of four core courses under a general curriculum that all students must take irrespective of the tracks they are enrolled in - whether Research or Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
This general curriculum prepares students to examine the moral implications of technological advancement, provides the essential skills for analyzing innovation's impact, explores historical and contemporary innovations, and focuses on how visionary entrepreneurship drives social change.
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The core course list are as follows:
Ethics, Technology, & Society
This course explores how technological innovations shape social values, behavior, and institutions, and how ethical frameworks can guide the responsible development and use of technology. Students will examine both historical and contemporary case studies, covering topics such as data privacy, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, social media, automation, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, students will engage in critical analysis of ethical dilemmas and moral challenges that arise in various technological contexts, learning to apply ethical theories—such as utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and care ethics—to real-world scenarios. Through readings, discussions, and projects, students will evaluate the societal impacts of technology on issues like inequality, global health, human rights, and the environment. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of the ethical responsibilities of individuals, corporations, and governments in the age of rapidly evolving technologies. Learning Objectives: Understand foundational ethical theories and how they apply to technological contexts. Analyze the ethical implications of emerging technologies on individuals and society. Explore the role of technology in shaping social norms, behavior, and institutions. Critically assess the responsibilities of technologists, policymakers, and users in addressing ethical challenges. Evaluate case studies on contemporary issues such as AI ethics, digital privacy, and the impact of automation on labor markets. Develop strategies for fostering ethical technological innovation and ensuring social and environmental sustainability. Topics Covered: Introduction to ethics and technology Data privacy and surveillance Artificial intelligence and machine ethics Biotechnology and bioethics Technology, inequality, and social justice Environmental ethics and sustainable technologies Automation, labor, and the future of work Social media and its influence on society Policy and regulation in the digital age
Foundations of Research Methods
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles and practices of research methods across disciplines. It equips students with the essential tools to design, conduct, analyze, and interpret research in both qualitative and quantitative frameworks. Emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving, the course covers the research process from formulating research questions to presenting findings, with a focus on ethical considerations and academic integrity. Students will explore different research designs, sampling techniques, data collection methods (including surveys, experiments, case studies, and observational methods), and approaches to data analysis. They will also gain practical experience in evaluating research literature and conducting basic statistical analysis. The course will emphasize the importance of methodological rigor, reliability, and validity in producing credible and replicable results. By the end of the course, students will be able to design a well-structured research project, select appropriate research methodologies, and critically assess the quality of research produced by others. Learning Objectives: Understand the fundamental concepts and steps in the research process. Differentiate between qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research approaches. Formulate clear, focused research questions and hypotheses. Develop and apply appropriate research designs and sampling methods. Collect and analyze data using basic statistical techniques. Evaluate the validity, reliability, and ethical considerations of research studies. Critically assess and interpret research findings in the context of existing literature. Present research results clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms. Topics Covered: Introduction to research methodology Formulating research questions and hypotheses Research design: exploratory, descriptive, and experimental Qualitative methods: interviews, focus groups, and content analysis Quantitative methods: surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis Sampling techniques: probability and non-probability sampling Data collection and measurement techniques Analyzing and interpreting data (basic statistics and qualitative coding) Ethical issues in research and academic integrity Writing research proposals and reporting findings
Case Studies in Innovation & Society
This course examines the intersection of innovation and society through in-depth case studies of significant technological, scientific, and social innovations. Students will explore how innovations—from the industrial revolution to contemporary advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and digital platforms—have transformed economies, cultures, and institutions. The course focuses on understanding both the intended and unintended societal impacts of innovation, as well as the ethical, economic, and political challenges that arise in the process of technological change. Through the case study approach, students will analyze key examples of innovation, assessing factors such as the role of creativity and entrepreneurship, the influence of social and cultural contexts, and the dynamics of adoption and resistance to new technologies. By investigating real-world scenarios, students will learn how to critically evaluate the benefits and risks of innovation and how to anticipate and respond to societal challenges that accompany technological progress. The course encourages active discussion and debate, fostering an understanding of how innovation shapes—and is shaped by—social values, public policy, and global challenges like inequality, sustainability, and human rights. Learning Objectives: Analyze the role of innovation in shaping social, economic, and cultural change. Understand the historical, ethical, and societal context of key technological and scientific innovations. Explore the drivers of innovation and the challenges of technology adoption. Evaluate the societal impacts of innovation, including issues of inequality, disruption, and sustainability. Apply interdisciplinary perspectives (historical, ethical, economic, and political) to the study of innovation. Develop strategies for promoting socially responsible and inclusive innovation. Topics Covered: Defining innovation: technological, scientific, and social perspectives Historical case studies: Industrial Revolution, electricity, and the internet Innovation in healthcare: biotechnology and medical technologies Digital platforms and the rise of the gig economy Artificial intelligence and the future of work Sustainability and innovation in energy and agriculture Ethical dilemmas in disruptive technologies Public policy and regulation in promoting innovation Global perspectives: innovation and development in emerging markets The role of social movements in shaping technological change
Bold Ideas, Enterprise, & Societal Change
This course explores how bold, transformative ideas and visionary enterprises have shaped society, driving social, economic, and cultural change throughout history. It examines the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal evolution, highlighting how disruptive ideas—from groundbreaking technologies to revolutionary business models—have created new industries, reshaped economies, and influenced global systems of power and governance. Focusing on real-world examples of entrepreneurs, innovators, and social movements, the course encourages students to consider the conditions under which bold ideas flourish and how enterprises can address pressing societal challenges such as inequality, climate change, and social justice. Through case studies, discussions, and project work, students will investigate the process of turning visionary ideas into scalable solutions, learning how entrepreneurs balance risk, creativity, and social impact. This interdisciplinary course blends concepts from business, economics, sociology, and ethics, equipping students to think critically about how enterprise can be harnessed for societal good. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of how bold thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship can drive meaningful societal change, both locally and globally. Learning Objectives: Analyze the relationship between bold ideas, enterprise, and societal change. Understand the historical and contemporary impact of transformative entrepreneurs and social innovators. Identify the characteristics and strategies that lead to the success of bold ideas. Explore how enterprises can address global challenges, including inequality, climate change, and social justice. Examine the ethical responsibilities of entrepreneurs and enterprises in driving societal change. Develop innovative solutions to real-world problems through the application of bold ideas and entrepreneurial thinking. Topics Covered: The nature of bold ideas: vision, creativity, and disruption Historical examples of transformative enterprises and their societal impacts Entrepreneurship and the rise of new industries: technology, healthcare, and energy Social entrepreneurship and enterprises tackling global challenges The role of risk, failure, and resilience in bold ventures Ethical considerations in transformative innovation The intersection of business, policy, and social movements Case studies in sustainability, inequality, and social justice Global perspectives: innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging markets Building the future: fostering bold ideas in the 21st century
In addition to the General Curriculum material, students can expect to engage with founders, venture capitalists, innovators, and practitioners who actively navigate the challenges that entrepreneurs and innovators of all levels encounter.