Design & Desire in the Startup World (ANTH30019)

What makes new startups successful? How do they create products that capture our imagination and desires? This subject explores the social, cultural, and political forces that make innovation possible in the startup world, leading students to understand critically what startups are, and how they relate to the forms of inequality and privilege that permeate our contemporary economy. Throughout the semester, we will partner with startups. We will conduct hands-on research that will explore how individuals react to innovative technologies, including robots or social media apps. Students who take this subject will be asked to incorporate their critical analyses about the startup ecosystem with creative thinking that helps startups move from ideas to products. This subject will allow students to participate in the design process and build their creativity and research skills in the job market.