Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Understand and analyse values as integral to design discourse and practice
- Critically discuss key issues and ideas relevant to design in futures inquiry
- Identify the stakes in the practices and discourses of change-making in the context of the sustainability imperative
- Articulate and critically reflect on how technology and human culture, including values and worldviews, are manifested in design practice, using tools from futures studies
In addition to these learning outcomes, students should be able to:
Communicate creative as well as critical futures
The course is designed to provide the theoretical background for taking the 2nd-year course, Sustainability transitions and futures.
Credits: 5
Schedule: 21.04.2021 - 26.05.2021
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Eeva Berglund
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Eeva Berglund
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The interdisciplinary lecture and seminar course explores discourses and practices regarding “futures” and “societal change”. Design has always been profoundly engaged in shaping society through ideas and visions of the future. Today, as method and visual/material practice, it is increasingly used to imagine, explore, communicate and steer change. In so doing, design involves judgements about what is desirable and for whom, it requires working in contexts of potentially conflicting values and surfacing potentially salient issues around change-making. This course prepares students to be more sensitive to the values, ethics and politics of design by pointing to such frontiers in design.
The course consists of lectures, small-group seminars and substantial reading and writing exercises. The course is structured as a series of six 3-hour contact teaching sessions. The course combines perspectives from several disciplines, including but not limited to design research, history, anthropology, sustainability science and science and technology studies (STS).
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
This field describes the assessment methods and criteria of the course.
- Attending the first contact teaching session is required.
- Participation in contact teaching sessions (at least 80% unless otherwise agreed).
- Timely completion of preparation and reflection work (reading and writing).
Progress in critical thinking, as evident in class participation and coursework.
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
5 ECTS = 135 hours:
18h Teaching sessions
about 10h group work
about 77h Reading and 30h individual coursework, written reflections and final essay, of which 10 - 20% time to think.
Applies in this implementation:
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Core literature will be made available before the course begins via the MyCourses system. Students are encouraged to explore related resources beyond these.
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
4 Quality Education
5 Gender Equality
6 Clean Water and Sanitation
7 Affordable and Clean Energy
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10 Reduced Inequality
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
13 Climate Action
14 Life Below Water
15 Life on Land
16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
17 Partnerships for the Goals