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

After the completion of the course students will
1) Understand the principles of sustainability in product, service and system design.
2) Be able to approach sufficiency and sustainable consumption with design
3) Be able to assess and argue for design solutions for sustainable consumption.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 09.01.2024 - 15.02.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Tatu Marttila

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:

    The course introduces the topic areas of design-for-sustainability and frameworks including product-service-systems, service design and material circulation. It situates these design strategies in the overall landscape of escalating levels of consumption, and develops design approaches to mitigate these trends. Each topic is approached via lectures, readings and through a group work assignment that continues throughout the course.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Course contents consist of weekly lectures, readings and related assignments. The course also includes a group exercise. To pass, the students are required to attend the lectures (80%) and perform all the assigned exercises, readings and written tasks given each week.
    Assessment methods and criteria:

    • Individual writing tasks 30%
    • Active presence at the course platforms, activity log 20%
    • Group assignments, final and intermediary reports 40%
    • Peer evaluation in groups 10%

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    6 ECTS = 162 hours.

    Lectures, and class-room exercises, 36 hours
    Group work, 50 hours
    Reading course literature and related writing tasks, 50 hours
    Feedback and participation on course platforms outside of the classroom, 10 hours
    Personal reflection 16 hours

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring III
    2023-2024 Spring III

    Enrollment :

    Registration in Sisu. Maximum number of students 55. The order of priority for admitting students:
    Creative Sustainability major students;
    Creative Sustainability minor students;
    Department of Design masters students;
    Students for whom the course is part of his/her major's or programme's alternative studies and has been scheduled in the student's PSP (HOPS) for the current academic year;
    All other master students.

    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