Future foresightLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

Foresight is a systematic approach to thinking about future developments and events that integrates facts and imagination. It is an important avenue for visionary leadership and development work. All successful organisations - and states - employ futures thinking. This course offers a practical introduction to futures approaches. We examine factors that impact the future. We identify possible, probable and preferable futures and discuss how we can make these preferable futures a reality. On successfully completing this course, students will: - Understand the concepts and goals of futures thinking and the nature of knowledge creation in foresight. - Be able to outline various futures and identify the factors that shape them. - Recognise drivers of change in the workplace, in the sector and in society and be able to respond. - Be familiar with foresight methods and be able to apply one of these methods in practice.

Content

Content - The theoretical foundations of futures and foresight. - Megatrends, trends, counter trends, weak signals, wild cards and black swan events. - Foresight methods. - Applying foresight methods.