GDS1001-25, Unit 3 Project: 35% of Course Grade
Analyzing a Hong Kong Challenge
In groups of 4-6 people, analyze one specific current challenge in Hong which has some
parallel with Rwanda 1994 challenges by:
a) Identifying specific target group whose situation you wish to improve, and why
b) Analyzing the needs of the target group
c) Proposing a solution and demonstrating how it meets the needs of your target group
The HK challenge you choose should be:
• Connected to at least one SDG
• Require at least two academic disciplines to address
Your project will be expressed through three formats:
1) Group Oral Presentation, 10%*
Your group presentation should include Components #1-6 (table below). Its length
should equal 100-120 seconds per person (ex. a 5-person group presents for a maximum
of 10 minutes total). Each person must speak, and each person must present content
that demonstrates both thought and research (ie. no group member should be tasked to
give introductory and concluding remarks only). Each person should expect to answer
questions which may address any part of the project.
2) Group Written Submission, 20%*
Your group submission should include Components #1-8 (table below). It must be based
on facts and research, use information sources from at least two academic disciplines,
employ at least five relevant sources per person (of which at most one per person may
be Wikipedia), with proper citations. The submission should total 600-800 words per
person (ex. 3000-4000 words for a group of 5, etc.). The submission should clearly
indicate the responsibilities of each group member.
*For the group oral presentation and group written submission, grades are given per group.
However, based on my evaluation of your individual work (both process and result), and
based on peer reviews (to be completed afterwards), the group grade may be adjusted
upwards or downwards for individual group members by a maximum of two sub-grades (ex:
if your group receives B, you yourself may receive C+, B-, B, B+ or A-, as per your individual
performance).
Components, in Sequential Order Work Mode
1. Identify a target group, explaining why you selected that group Whole
2. List at least five questions to ask that group to understand their experience Whole
3. Complete the “Empathy Map”, providing explanation and support Whole/Divide
4. Complete the “POEMS”, providing explanation and support Whole/Divide
5. Make and explain a “Journey Map” for your target group Whole/Divide
6. Write a “How-Might-We” Statement, explaining why it is a useful in defining Whole
the problem and the desired outcome for the target group
7. Brainstorm a list of possible solutions (at least 5) to your chosen problem Whole
and/or methods to achieve your desired outcome(s)
8. Choose one solution that you think should be most effective in meeting the Whole
needs of your target group, and explain why
#2, 3, 4, 5 must demonstrate a result from the GenAI chatbot training provided
3) Individual Written Reflection, 5%
Your individual reflection of 100-150 words should (a) briefly summarize the entire
project content and (b) explain which design-thinking tool (one of #3, 4, 5, 6 from the
table above) you found most useful and why.
Note: Any use of GenAI must be cited according to university policy.
Timeline and Procedure (Tentative)
5 Nov HK challenges and Groups; Design Thinking process
10 & 12 Nov Questions, HMWs, POEMS
17 Nov POEMS, Journey Map, Empathy Map, Primary Sources
19 Nov Team Consults
24 Nov GenAI Session: Primary Sources, Questions and Empathy
26 Nov Brainstorming and choosing solutions; Testing
1 Dec TBD
3 Dec Group presentations
4-20 Dec Group consultations, as needed
20 Dec, 11:59PM Deadline for Group Written Submission and Individual Reflections