MUO-E8050 - Values & Designs, Lecture, 16.4.2025-28.5.2025

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 successful completion of the course, the student is able to:

  • Recognise and analyse values as integral to design discourse and practice, in general and in the sustainability context in particular;
  • Critically discuss key issues and debates relevant to values and design;
  • Identify and critically reflect on how technology and culture, including values and worldviews, are manifested in design in the context of the sustainability crisis;
  • Work with creative approaches that critique, develop and communicate diverse values in design.

In addition to these learning outcomes, students should be able to communicate creative as well as critical futures.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 16.04.2025 - 28.05.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Eeva Berglund

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 starting point for the course is that design is profoundly engaged in shaping society through ideas and visions of the future. Acknowledged or not, design involves judgements about what is desirable and for whom, and it requires working in contexts of potentially conflicting values. Through lectures, small-group seminars and exercises that involve reading, writing and visualising, the course prepares students to be more sensitive to the values, ethics and politics of design. It combines perspectives from several disciplines, including but not limited to design research, history, anthropology, sustainability science and science and technology studies (STS).

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Grading scale 0 - 5 for independent work and pass-fail for groupwork, with successful students demonstrating the ability to:
    1. Thoughtfully identify and enquire into the values associated with sustainability and in relation to design, based on academic and other resources
    2. Critically analyse and evaluate relevant interventions as well academic debates concerning these
    3. Clearly articulate and neatly present (to academic standards) what has been learned
    4. Attendance and participation in teaching sessions and completion of all teaching assignments and exercises within deadlines given. Participation in the first session is mandatory.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Course includes:

    • Participation in contact teaching sessions (at least 80% unless otherwise agreed) composed of lectures, discussions and small-scale in-class and take-home exercises.
    • Timely completion of assignments, individually and in groups.
    • Final reflective essay, presented in academic style and demonstrating familiarity with the course materials.

    Overall workload is 6 ECTS = 162 hours:

    • 18h Teaching sessions
    • about 20h group work
    • about 80h Reading and 44h individual coursework including final essay, of which 10 - 20% "time to think".

     

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Core literature and resources will be made available via the MyCourses system. Students are encouraged to explore related resources beyond these.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    1 No Poverty

    2 Zero Hunger

    3 Good Health and Well-being

    4 Quality Education

    5 Gender Equality

    6 Clean Water and Sanitation

    7 Affordable and Clean Energy

    8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    10 Reduced Inequality

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    13 Climate Action

    14 Life Below Water

    15 Life on Land

    16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring V
    2025-2026 Spring V

    Registration:

    Registration for courses Sisu. Minimum number of students 15, maximum 35.

    The order of priority for admitting students

    1. Creative Sustainability major students;
    2. Creative Sustainability minor students;
    3. A five student quota for students of Master's Programme in Information Networks
    4. Department of Design masters students;
    5. 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;
    6. All other master students.

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

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof