Design as a Gateway for Change, 15 Credits

Contents

The course focuses on the role of design in bringing change, and its power to shape our future. Along the course, runs a common thread combining different perspectives on how design thinking can be applied in seeking to transform human relations, organizations, and societies. During the course, the complexities that lie in the process and outcome of design are studied theoretically, as well as the role of reflection as professionals seek to tackle such complexities in practice. In the course, these specific concepts are related to contemporary practices of makers that engage in digital fabrication efforts.    

Expected learning outcomes

Regarding knowledge and understanding the student is, after the course, expected to be able to:
1.    Identify the role of organizations and markets in today’s economic systems and describe how complexity and complex systems could be analyzed and understood in the context of digital fabrication.
2.    Describe the role of reflection for practitioners and how individual and collective practices can benefit from it.
3.    Explain the role of design in triggering and facilitating change at the individual, organization, and societal level.

Regarding proficiency and aptitude, the student is, after the course, expected to be able to:
4.    Iteratively and formatively develop prototypes with digital fabrication technology in a reflexive manner.
5.    Describe and justify design decisions during the process of prototype development.
6.    Discuss the potential implications of the developed prototypes for individuals, organizations, and societies.
7.    Present a completed design process, orally and in writing.

Regarding evaluative capacity and approach, the student is, after the course, expected to be able to:
8.    Independently search for information on problems and identify needs for further knowledge.
9.    Carry out analysis of design from societal and ethical perspectives.

Required Knowledge

Admission to the course requires 90 ECTS from an internationally recognised university in one of the following subjects; Engineering, Design, Architecture, Informatics, Business administration, Economics or equivalent studies. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

Teaching is done preferably in the form of lectures, seminars, group exercises and supervision in connection with self-studies. During the course necessary computer applications, which students shall use on their own, are introduced and maintained. Some assistance is given in the use of these applications. Some teaching moments may be compulsory. Good ability in written presentation and English are important for assimilating the course.

Examination modes

Examination is done by individual assignments, seminars, and group work. Examination assumes good ability in written and oral presentation in English. The grade given is pass with distinction, pass or fail. For students who do not obtain a pass after the first attempt an additional examination is normally arranged within a short time afterwards. Students who do not obtain a pass after two examination attempts are allowed to participate in three further examinations. In order to do so the student must register for the course during the term the examination is given. For additional attempts to pass the exam special dispensation is needed from the director of studies or the student counsellor.

Crediting of a course
An application to transfer credits from previous courses should be sent to the registrar (Registrator, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå). The application is then forwarded to the department of Informatics for assessment. The application must state for which course the credit transfer is requested.  Authentic copies of course certificates or equivalent must be presented showing grade, higher education institution, date, field of study, level of study, credit points and so on. Also required is the course syllabus including literature for courses whose credits are to be transferred. For further information see “Transfer of Credits at Umeå University” (DNR: 540-3589-09).