This study explores an innovative teaching approach based on the concept of social design. Using, as its case study, a design education course called "Social Design," currently taught in universities, this study discusses the essential elements of social design courses, based on the three characteristics of social-design education: design practices, problem evaluation, and interdisciplinary cooperation. It concludes by showing that social-design education includes the following essential elements: 1) to train students to propose innovative solutions to problems; 2) to analyze problems comprehensively, on the scale of the socio-ecological-system; 3) to solve problems using interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding; 4) to include people who have experienced problems in the problem-solving process; 5) to ensure that students achieve reflective learning during the problem-solving process; and 6) to guide students in recognizing the "organic" nature of social design problems, in which levels of stakeholder participation affect problem-solving decisions, given that social systems are constantly changing.