Live Courses | Foundations
PUBLIC SECTOR, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT
The Intersection of Design, Social Impact, and Ethical Responsibility
Explore the power of design to drive social change by examining the relationship between products, experiences, and ethical responsibility. Topics include design history, technology’s cultural impact, and community engagement, with a critical focus on race, privilege, equity, and design justice.
Who should take this course?
Design & Product Leaders
Gain a deeper understanding of the ethical implications of your teams’ work to drive positive social change. You’ll critically analyze the impact of design on society to lead more inclusive and equitable projects, and help you inspire teams to approach design with a strong sense of social responsibility.
UX & Product Practitioners
Engage in a deeper dialogue on the ethical dimensions of design to create user experiences that drive positive social change. Learn to critically evaluate the impact of your work on diverse communities, lead more inclusive and equitable design initiatives, and communicate the importance of ethical design practices to stakeholders.
Course Summary
Upon completing this course, you will be able to effectively facilitate a dialogue on the ethical implications of design work in a broader societal context. You will be able to evaluate and advocate for more inclusive and equitable design projects.
Key Details
Format: Live instruction from AC4D faculty, including office hours
Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7-9 PM CST
Duration: 10 weeks
Tuition: $4,000 $2,550
Location: Remote
Upcoming Courses
📆 June 9, 2025
📌 Enrollments close approximately two weeks before each course begins.
This course will enable you to:
Discuss and debate issues of design in the context of designing for the public good.
Reference and cite scholars, designers, and communities who frame design problems.
Articulate and evolve a point of view that describes the role of design and design thinking in the context of social systems, services, and spaces.
Engage with the messiness and complexities of equity, privilege, and their role in design.
Key topics include:
Theory of Change
Historical context of problem spaces
Understanding equity, privilege and their role in design
Historical context of design/tech relationship to public sector/social impact/innovation work
Curriculum
Week 1-3: Design as “Thinking”
Week 4-6: (Co)Design and Power
Week 7-9: Design as Change
Week 10: Reflection
