Designing the Future of Leisure

Department

Bachelor's program Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business

Course unit code

IEL-B-3+5-WPM-IEL

Number of ECTS credits allocated

Name of lecturer(s)

FH-Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Bierwisch Antje, MMag.a Mayr Helga, PhD, FH-Prof. Dr. Bosio Birgit

Mode of delivery

face-to-face

Recommended optional program components

none

Assessment methods and criteria

Project work, Homework, Presentation

Additional information about examination modalities

- Individual / Group Presentation - Final presentation on last day
- Individual / Group Project Work - Documentation of the whole design process in Miro
- Written Exam Reflection as a learning journey

Level of course unit

Bachelor

Year of study

Fall 2026

Semester when the course unit is delivered

Language of instruction

English

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

- think critically, creatively and strategically about possible futures using futures thinking skills and mindsets
- apply core concepts of design thinking through hands-on, iterative practice
- develop innovative yet feasible solutions via a structured creative process
- use systemic thinking to recognise interdependencies and leverage points
- navigate complexity and uncertainty with confidence and reflective capacity
- strengthen personal and collective resilience in times of transformation
- collaborate effectively in diverse, interdisciplinary teams to co-create future-oriented solutions
- reflect on one’s own leisure behavior and its sustainability impact

Course contents

In times of uncertainty and rapid transformation, personal is becoming an essential competence for future managers, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. This course supports students in developing an open, future-oriented mindset and equips them with proven methods and tools to navigate complexity, uncertainty and change. This is done through a topic every student can relate to: their own leisure time activities.

Taught by an intradisciplinary team of lecturers, the elective brings together elements of futures thinking, strategic foresight, design thinking, sustainable transformation and leisure studies. Students gain practical skills to anticipate emerging developments, design meaningful and sustainable solutions, and strengthen their individual and professional resilience. This elective is therefore ideal for those who want to be well prepared for future careers in dynamic and evolving environments. It also provides the conceptual and methodological foundations needed to contribute to both personal and organisational resilience in future professional contexts.

Course contents:
- Introduction to Futures Thinking, Strategic Foresight and Scenario Exploration
- Introduction to Design Thinking and Human-Centered Innovation
- Design Sprint on selected real-world challenges around student’s own leisure behaviour
- Problem framing supported by contextual interviews, desk research and data analysis
- Development, prototyping and testing of possible solutions through ideation cycles
- SDG integration into ideas and prototypes
- Final student presentation , including reflection on learning outcomes and future implications

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.

Work placement(s)

none

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