This project invites you to imagine how to make UCSD a more public, inclusive
university by revisioning and revising how it defines and supports innovation. I hope you will
build on the analyses your group and others in the class developed about innovation practices at
UCSD. The final can build on the knowledge and energy of the midterm essay. The emphasis
here is on developing an alternative, well motivated concept.
Form a team of 3 people. Ideally, you’ll find a team of people whose ideas and analyses
you found inspiring during the presentations of the midterm drafts or through class discussions.
1. Identify a part of the broader public that is not addressed, involved, or served by the
current campus culture of innovation. Ideally, this is a set of people that at least one of you have
a deep connection with, knowledge of, and accountability to.
2. With your group, develop an analysis of how this exclusion or marginalization happens.
What definitions of innovation, social forces, or discourses create the problem?
3. Propose a space, event, or system that enacts a different vision and practice of
innovation. Motivate the concept. Dream big. It does not have to be viable or sustainable in
today’s terms. Discuss the proposal with reference to what you’ve learned through the class,
through your research, and at least 3 core readings.
Visit office hours once as a group to discuss the work-inprogress before June 6.
Reflect together, sometimes in writing. I know it is hard to find meeting time. I will
create a group blog as a place to record your imagination-and-reflection process and think out
loud in writing. You won’t be graded for any wrong ideas here. The blog is a resource for you to
free write or think “out loud” in writing. You can free write to slow down your thought process,
gain insight, and subject your own thoughts to critical reflection.
Key dates:
June 6 (last day of seminar): We will hear each group’s 5 minute presentations of the
proposal. We’ll have enough time for discussion of the presentations and snacks.
June 14 (final due on TurnItIn): For the final, write a 3000 word (give or take 5%) report
clearly and compellingly communicating your team’s analysis and concept. Imagine delivering
the document to the Dean or the Chancellor. Feel free to include graphics, diagrams, and color.
Give it a snappy title that makes people want to read more. For me to assess your learning,
include a single page (not part of the word count) describing how your group incorporated
comments from the discussion day into revising and sharpening your ideas.
After the due date, I will send out a peer review form each person will fill out
individually to give me a sense of different people’s contributions to the group.
