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 successfully completing the course, the students are able to:

  • Identify and analyse different structures, scales or locations or design culture, exploring the relationships and interactions of their constituent parts;
  • Critically assess, interpret and apply a selected range of academic texts relevant to the study of Design Culture;
  • Develop independent, critical viewpoints on selected examples of design culture, strategies for researching them and ways of articulating findings and insights.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 14.04.2025 - 26.05.2025

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:

    Issues in Design Culture follows up on Design Culture Now to build critical and contextual understanding and perspectives of contemporary design to a more advanced level. It suits students who are interested in developing more theoretical and analytical approaches to design phenomena and contexts than a problem-solving orientation. The course draws on several academic disciplines surrounding Design Culture Studies from the humanities (e.g. cultural studies, gender studies) and social sciences (e.g human geography, cultural political economy) while taking a critical approach to design literature and practices. It critically explores the tensions, ambivilences and resolutions that are generated in design practices and theory in relation to cultural, economic, political and/or societal challenges. Students have the opportunity to examine their particular design specialisms, to explore its objects, aims, discourses and structures and to generate individual viewpoints.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Assessment is based on assignments.

    100% active attendance, of which 20% can be covered with additional assignments.

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course includes lectures and assignments.

    Overall workload 6 ECTS = 162 h:

    • Guided studying: 53h
    • Independent studying: 55h
    • Time to think: 53h
    • Giving course feedback: 1h

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Provided in MyCourses

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

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

    Registration:

    Minimum number of students is 15, maximum 30.

    Registration for courses in Sisu. 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