Interdisciplinary Arts 0250 - Innovation and New Ventures

This course explores different strategies for introducing innovations in both for-profit and not-for-profit ventures. Many believe that entrepreneurship only means launching a new business from scratch. But for introducing innovations in for-profit, not-for-profit and social entrepreneurship ventures there are other effective alternatives to starting a new business. Two examples include strategic partnerships and licensing innovations to established organizations. Course topics include defining the value of the innovation, protecting intellectual property and forming partnerships. In addition to exploring alternative strategies for innovations, the course covers techniques for assessing the value and feasibility of new innovations from the perspectives of markets and business plus society and our planet. Students will also investigate the potential of six different models for social entrepreneurship ventures.

Writing and Research Independent Work Course is designed to serve second-year students and above. First year students are strongly discouraged from taking the course. Field trips anticipated. In this course, students are expected to spend at least eight to ten hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, field research with entrepreneurs and prospective customers as examples plus online and traditional research, some group work, analysis of research, writing, and preparing presentations as appropriate.