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 the course, students will be able to

  • recognize characteristics of master-level education, including pedagogical approaches and study contents at the Department of Design
  • understand the wider and future societal context of design, including contemporary issues and emerging challenges
  • reflect on their own professional interests within collaborative work

Credits: 3

Schedule: 29.08.2023 - 09.10.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Pirjo Kääriäinen

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:

    INTRO is a compulsory course for all first year Master students at the Department of Design. The course clarifies the offering, pedagogies and mindset of the master studies in design and prepares the students for the shift in the study objectives from undergraduate to master studies. Contact teaching and assignments structure students' learning about their own goals and orientations in design, and in relation to future societal needs. Personal study plans will be discussed in majors/programs during the course. As a startup to ongoing studies, the course aims to create peer networks across majors and programs at the Department. The course is one of the four joint courses compulsory for all MA students at the Department of Design.

    The intensive part of the course (Orientation Week) is scheduled so that students are able to participate in the ARTS and Department of Design orientations parallelly.

     

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Passing the course requires attending 100% of contact teaching sessions and completion of all individual and group assignments. Introductory session is mandatory. Absence during contact teaching may be made up by completing an extra assignment agreed upon with the responsible teacher.

    Students unable to meet the required level of attendance (acceptable reasons are those exceptional circumstances such as health or residence issues), should contact the teacher in advance to explain and to discuss completion methods.

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course is taught as an intensive online teaching module during Orientation Week (before Period I starts), and mainly on campus on six Monday afternoons during Period I. Full attendance in contact teaching is required.

    3 ECTS is equal to 81-hour workload. INTRO course workload includes:

    30h Contact teaching including lectures, workshops and presentations

    40h Independent work on assigned tasks

    10h Personal reflection 

    1h Course evaluation

    Please note that this workload covers only orientation activities arranged by the Department of Design. Other activities organised by Aalto ARTS or student unions are not included.

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

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

    Enrollment :

    Registration in Sisu. Min. 5, max 160 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