The Design Thinking Minor is designed flexibly to include courses that may already be in a student’s major. It culminates in a capstone course with a studio format in which students with multi-disciplinary backgrounds collaborate and learn by using the design thinking process to explore problems, prototype solutions, and convey their ideas through effective visual, written, and oral presentations.
Policies
In addition to the required coursework, three courses should be selected from either the list of electives under the Design in the Built Environment Track or the User Experience Design Track. Note that the three electives must all belong to one of these two groups.
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
For policies governing all undergraduate programs, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 18
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DSGN 101 | Introduction to Design Thinking | 3 |
| DSGN 102 | Design in the Modern World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| DSGN 401 | Design Thinking Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Design in the Built Environment Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 elective credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Architecture (Mason Core) | ||
| Design of Cities (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Architecture (Mason Core) | ||
| Visual Thinking | ||
| Typography (Mason Core) | ||
| Creative Processes | ||
| Art as Social Action | ||
| Graphic Design Methods and Principles | ||
| Visual Communication Theories | ||
| Experiential Design History | ||
| Introduction to Agent-based Modeling and Simulation | ||
| Cartographic Design | ||
| Tackling Wicked Problems in Society the Environment (Mason Core) | ||
EVPP 355 | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
User Experience Design Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 elective credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Web Design | ||
| Mobile App Design | ||
| User Experience Design | ||
| Package Design | ||
| Problem Solving and Leadership in STEAM | ||
| Introduction to Learning Technologies | ||
| Web Accessibility and Design | ||
| Professional and Technical Writing | ||
| Peer Tutoring in Writing across the Disciplines | ||
| Introduction to Game Design (Mason Core) | ||
| Systems Analysis and Design | ||
| Introduction to Entrepreneurship | ||
| Experiential Entrepreneurship | ||
| Human Factors Psychology | ||
| Software Usability Analysis and Design | ||
| Human Computer Interaction | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |