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

Innovative Approach to Circular Economy course provides practical and theoretical knowledge and operating models in which aesthetic, ethical, and ecological phenomena intertwine in circular economy. The student becomes familiar with the objectives, theoretical background, practices, outcomes, and social impact that contemporary art has in the context of circular economy. The student learns to produce culture phenomena in making circular economy visible, to perceive the cultural complexity, and to work as a part of multidisciplinary co-operation aimed at changing the consumer culture. The student understands the possibilities of innovative and artistic methods in creating cultural change and can evaluate their social impact in the context of circular economy.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 21.04.2022 - 30.05.2022

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Maria Villa Largacha

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

Jenni Väänänen-Lauterbach

jenni.maaria@gmail.com

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Creative Approach to Circular Economy course introduces innovative strategies of multidisciplinary contemporary art (artistic thinking, art & science, social and environmental art and social and public pedagogy) to deal with the transdisciplinary theory of circular economy. Circular economy encompasses more than the sustainable production and consumption of material, goods, and services. It includes a discussion of the intertwinement of aesthetical, ecological and ethical processes. The course develops the key elements of change in consumer culture: knowledge on art and design practices and thinking as well as the significance of the production of culture. For this, it is crucial to understand not only the concrete materiality but also the mental images and the social and cultural material that influences consumption habits.

    In the course, the students work on the phenomena of circular economy through the participatory methods of contemporary art and artistic thinking. The course uses different examples of art for grasping the complexity of circular economy in different levels: individual, community, society, and culture. The course works both in lectures and workshops. Based on the lectures, assignments are done in multidisciplinary groups. The same method will also be used to carry out the project work of the course. Part of the course s workshop activities are organized in an outdoor experimental space for practical sustainability, the Test Site at Otaniemi campus, http://acs.aalto.fi/2017/open-call-test-site-for-practical-sustainability-at-otaniemi-campus/.

    The emphasis is on finding multidisciplinary connections and creative ways of working through research into the phenomena of circular economy. By means of contemporary art, ideas and activities are developed and promoted. The purpose is to make visible aesthetic, ethical, and ecological processes and raise awareness of the need for cultural change, which circular economy requires.

  • applies in this implementation

    Circular economy encompasses more than the sustainable production and consumption systems of materials, goods, and services. It includes a discussion of the intertwinement of aesthetical, ecological and ethical processes. Because of this, it has become evident that more radical change of culture, education, values, and ways of living is needed for promoting circular economy. The course develops the students’ understanding of the main principles of circular economy and what employing these principles means in our production and consumption systems and culture in the context of design and contemporary art. Through lectures, discussions, case studies and exercises (individual and group project work) we explore aesthetic and value systems connected to our production and consumption systems and material culture. We will also explore how change towards circularity can be facilitated. 




Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Attendance 20 %, participation in class 20 %, group work 20 % and final work 40 % of the grade

  • applies in this implementation

    For 2022 implementation:

    Grading scale: 1-5

    The course works both in lectures and workshops. The emphasis is on finding multidisciplinary connections and creative ways of working through research into the phenomena of circular economy. 

    Part of the course’s workshop activities are organized in the outdoor experimental space at Otaniemi campus. The test site for practical sustainability has been set up for putting theory into practice and ideas into action. It brings an extra boost to a creative and practical circular economy course.





Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Lectures 14 hours, project teaching/workshop teaching/assignments based on lectures 24 hours, group work 75 hours, individual work 40 hours

  • applies in this implementation

    For 2022 implementation:

    Lectures and contact teaching 24 h (lectures, test site visit, discussions and small exercises in the classroom/ online), individual work (assignments, readings, learning diary) 50 hours, project work (individual or group) 66 hours. 80% attendance required. 

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The study material is distributed in the form of lectures, workshops, assignments and articles.

  • applies in this implementation

    Lectures, example cases, discussions, workshops, assignments and reading materials (articles, videos). Study materials will be announced in the course page one week before the course starts.

    We will engage in discussions and do group work in the course, facilitating understanding of different perspectives on the topic and utilizing and learning from each participants’ respective knowledge and skills. Students in different fields bring their own contributions and strength to innovative co-operation, as innovations that promote circular economy arise only in transdisciplinary cooperation.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    UWAS course selection criteria: Registration order is not the primary selection criteria for this course. In order to ensure that students from different programs and schools of Aalto University may take UWAS courses, the selection is also based on the variety of students' disciplines. Master's students are also welcome.

    Minimum amount of students: 7

    Teaching Period:

    2020-2021 Spring V

    2021-2022 Spring V

    Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=UWAS-C0026

    Registration for Courses: Sisu replaces Oodi on 9 August, 2021. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-in-aalto-arts

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