What is a big idea? Is it a physical invention, like the printing press? Is it a way of doing things, like democracy or capitalism? Does something like ‘civilization’ qualify as a big idea? In this course, we will wrestle with these questions and more, so you can start to think big about how to approach the problem of problem solving. We’ll look at examples of ‘big ideas’ and create a working definition of what constitutes a big idea. We'll help you develop the skills and strategies you need to discover impactful ideas of your own; and teach you how to articulate why your idea matters and how it adds value.

Throughout the course, you will be challenged to be your most creative with hands-on experiential exercises (both in and outside of the classroom) designed to take you through the processes of discovering, ideating, evaluating, and editing ideas, whether you are working alone on solo projects or engaging with a team. Near the end of the course, you'll receive direct feedback from influential business minds (entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, leaders, etc) from across the city. The course will culminate in a final project where you will be required to help present a formal and polished pitch of a big idea.

Sheena Iyengar

S. T. Lee Professor of Business

Sheena S. Iyengar is the inaugural S.T. Lee Professor of Business in the Management Division at Columbia Business School, and a world expert on choice and decision-making. Her book The Art of Choosing received the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year 2010 award, and was ranked #3 on the Amazon.com Best Business and...

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