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Elements of Innovation

This course begins by developing an understanding of disruptive innovation and the historical context about successes and failures of social, cultural, and religious acceptance of technological innovation. To develop this framework, students read several texts underlying the innovator's dilemma, how scientific revolutions are structured, and cultural distinctions found between the sciences and humanities. For each class meeting, students read current scientific and technical literature and come prepared to discuss current events related to technological innovation. Each student researches potential disruptive technologies and prepares a compelling argument of why the specific technologies are disruptive so they can defend their choice and rationale. In addition to technological innovation, students will investigate organizational culture and structure and how these enable an innovation ecosystem at the corporate, regional, and global levels. Students will interact with national level innovators throughout academia, industry, and government. Coursework includes extensive writing assignments.

Credits: 3.00

Course Code: EID 367

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.