A Case Study of Industry-University Linked Capstone Design Classes in the Humanities and Social Sciences: IPA and FGI Analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of industry-university linked capstone design classes within the humanities and social sciences. Also, sharing the result of the study further encourages capstone design classes within the humanities and social sciences. Design/Methodology/Approach – An importance-satisfaction survey was conducted in the two classes of 2022. After explaining the purpose of the survey and data utilization plan to a total of 27 students, the questionnaire was distributed, and 24 responses were used for analysis. In addition, at the end of each semester, focus group interviews were conducted for participating students. Findings – As a result of the IPA analysis, areas of maintaining superiority, maintaining the status quo, areas of major improvement, and areas of low priority were identified. In the area of ​​maintaining superiority, many items corresponding to the unique characteristics of capstone design classes, such as problem-based approach and creative exploration, were included. In the areas of focus improvement, there were many items related to companies, such as meetings with business executives, and advice and guidance from corporate executives. Research Implications – This study is meaningful in that it was used as basic data by analyzing the effectiveness of industry-university linked capstone design classes in humanities and social sciences, in a situation where there are not many studies. In addition, it is meaningful that all student thoughts and opinions on the capstone design class were synthesized through IPA analysis and FGI analysis for students that participated in the class.