Barcelona, Spain

"Strategy as Design"
Faculty Leader: Jeanne Liedtka

Host Institution

Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Empresas (IESE)

Academic Program

General Overview:

Throughout their time together, students will explore the themes of strategic thinking, design, and creativity, using the art and architecture of Barcelona as our case materials.  Most days begin in an IESE classroom where you will discuss pre-selected readings and assignments, and prepare for the study tours in the afternoons. 

Example of an assignment: Discuss what you learned from the readings to-date and field trips about the process of design—and how these learnings may or may not relate to business strategy.  We’ll also compare and contrast the design of Barcelona with that of the four approaches covered in one of the readings, and watch an introductory video on Picasso.

Grading will be based on class participation (50%) and a personal journal (50%).  Attendance at all classes and on all field trips is mandatory (and partners are welcome to accompany the students).

Journal Writing: Students will need to bring a blank journal, a few colored pencils, and a glue stick.  Bring a digital camera if you have one.  The written portion of this course - the journal - will give students the opportunity to both reflect upon and to practice the course themes around strategic thinking and creativity.  On the field trips, students will be asked to pay attention with heightened awareness to what they see and experience and to record their observations, reactions, and insights in the journal.  They are encouraged to be creative and feel free to sketch, use color, paste in postcards, mementos—whatever helps them to capture both the cognitive and the affective aspects of the art and architecture that they will see.

Cubism as a case study, article on the Spain GBE experience from Exduco on 03/05/07.

Watch a video interview with a past participant of the Spain GBE here.

    

Helpful City/Country Links

US State Department, including Tips for Travelling Abroad and the Consular Information Sheet
CIA World Fact Book
Barcelona's official website  
Spanish National Tourism site on Barcelona  
Spanish National Tourist Bureau site with information on Spain
Barcelona Tourism Site