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
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
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 IIEnrollment :
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