MUO-E3051 - Design for Social Change - Strategy D, Lecture, 24.10.2022-7.12.2022

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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

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • understand how design can facilitate social change in different socio-economic settings (e.g. institutional, communitarian, work-based, place-based;
  • critically assess potentials and pitfalls of different design  strategies for social change in particular contexts;
  • plan projects so that the merits and downsides of different ways, combinations, intensities and resources for fostering change are adequately addressed;
  • develop and assess a strategy for social change and gain experience in doing so.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 24.10.2022 - 07.12.2022

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Guy Julier

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

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:

    Design for Social Change - Strategy  provides students with basic understandings and competences to build design projects aimed towards social change. This course involves understanding the political, policy and societal landscapes in which design for social change practices can take place.

    We move from 'big picture' discussion of different approaches to design for social change and design activism, to defining and understanding specific problem spaces. Design for social change and design activism involve developing structures and techniques for intervention that are sensitive to the lifeworlds of stakeholders but nonetheless aim at engaging radical change in social and economic relationships. Design methods derived, in part, from social design or social innovation -- such as frame innovation, theory of change, infrastructuring -- may be explored here. The project emphasis is on developing an understanding of different design for social change and design activist practices and exploring strategies for their applicability in identified contexts.

    The first week of the course takes place alongside the Design for Social Change - Co-Design course (MUO-3050) and students are encouraged to take these two courses concurrently.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Clear identification of and rigorous enquiry into issues and challenges within a self-defined project topic within a given socio-techno-economic setting. Development of a creative strategy for a design activist intervention within that project topic, including a reasoned account of the resources and futher research required. Critical evaluation of that creative strategy against other possibilities. Clear articulation of the development, results of the enquiry and reflection on it through a structured, illustrated report that is fully referenced. Attendance and participation in at least 80% of programmed lectures, workshops, seminars or field visits and successful completion of all teaching assignments and exercises within deadlines given.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

     6 ects, 162 hrs. Minimum 80% attendance in programmed teaching.

    • Lectures, in-class demonstrations, in-class discussions and in-class work with tutoring: 40hrs
    • Personal reflection: 26hrs
    • Independent literature study: 35hrs
    • Work in project assignment individually or in teams, preparing a presentation and a report: 40hrs
    • Course evaluation 1hr

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    1 No Poverty

    2 Zero Hunger

    3 Good Health and Well-being

    5 Gender Equality

    10 Reduced Inequality

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    13 Climate Action

    15 Life on Land

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    It is assumed that students who enrol and attend for more than its first two weeks have committed to completing the course. All students attending beyond week 2 will be evaluated for the course.

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Autumn II
    2023-2024 Autumn II

    Enrollment :

    Registration in Sisu. Minimum 5 students, maximum 30 students. First priority is given to students of the Master's Collaborative and Industrial Design major.

    Second priority is given to students of the Master's Creative Sustainability.

    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-at-aalto-arts  

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof