2018/19 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

DESN5122M Design and Society

15 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Ms Vanessa Walker
Email: v.j.walker@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module represents a new future direction for design and the evolution of the design profession. Central to this objective is the concept of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the activity of design and the positive influence of knowledge and working methods from other academic disciplines in the generation and formation of unique communication strategies and subsequent outcomes with social value. It represents a recognition that no single discipline is capable of solving complex human and social problems without absorbing and assimilating knowledge from other disciplines and that the future designer will need to ‘fuse’ research skills and theoretical knowledge from outside of their current sphere of activity with their own specialist knowledge and skills.

Objectives

To broaden theoretical knowledge and recognize the importance of scientific research in applying social science and philosophy models to measure and understand social structures, human cognitive behaviour and to predict their development as a prerequisite of developing communication strategies with social impact. This interdisciplinary approach will require fundamental understanding of the principle theories relevant to social, political and economic structures and the connectivity of philosophical ideas to other disciplines such as informatics and cybernetics, which influence the urban environments in which we live and work.
This module will explore definitions of urban space within the context of the social parameters which form its constituent parts: urban and space. A finite definition of urban space is problematic if one considers that urban space is an artifact of urbanization – a social process that describes the manner in which cities grow and societies become more complex. For example, a synergistic perspective of space situates the location of “urban” as a product of social (for example population growth) and institutional forces associated with urbanization. In contrast, a structural perspective of space identifies
“urban” as the product of social structures and relationships that typify urbanization.
Combining synergistic and structural perspectives results in the identification of social features associated with urban space: diversity of social roles and relationships, and institutional arrangements and social networks necessary for efficient social order. Regardless of which perspective one adopts, urban space is a dynamic aspect of urbanization and involves both synergistic and structural aspects that requires an understanding of individual patterns and social structures.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of/ability to:
• Understand and apply principal theories from social science and philosophy in order to develop a distinctive understanding of urban spaces and to develop a communication strategy.
• Develop a high level of critical thinking and reflection and apply methodologies from other academic disciplines.
• Make informed decisions based on insights and a systematic analysis of information and facts.
• Collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment and draw upon their own knowledge and the knowledge of others in order to conduct objective analysis and interpretation of opinions and responses from a variety of audiences and in a variety of formats.
• Understand, complex and unexpected problems in order to establish the objectives of a communication design strategy.

Skills outcomes
Work effectively within an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary environment, respond positively to complex and unexpected problems, assimilate, absorb and apply knowledge and research methodology from other disciplines to produce unique and appropriate communication strategies.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to the module
Week 2: Social Science and urban spaces
Week 3: Philosophy and urban spaces
Week 4: Urban space – an artifact of urbanization
Presentation and critique
Week 5: Urban space - the synergistic perspective
Week 6: Urban space – the structural perspective
Week 7: Philosophy, informatics and cybernetics
Week 8: Applying interdisciplinary research to a communication strategy
Presentation and critique
Week 9: Identifying project objectives
Week 10: Creating and working in multi-disciplinary teams
Week 11: Trans disciplinary design

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	11	2.00	22.00
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Practical	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			84.00
Total Contact hours			66.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

This module will require significant private study in order to reinforce and extend understanding following the lecture programme and practical and fieldwork sessions. Whilst students will be introduced to the principle relevant theories, they will be required to conduct extensive reading and background research in order to expand and develop an individual body of knowledge applicable to their fieldwork based problem.
Two presentation and critique sessions in weeks 4 and 8 and have been included in order to facilitate formative and diagnostic feedback.
• Identification and critical review of background literature, research methods and other sources: 10 hours
• Preparation of project plan: 10 hours
• Research: 20 hours
• Creative development: 20 hours
• Production of innovation project outputs (boards, portfolio, report, log): 24 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Interim project planning presentations are scheduled at key strategic points within the module i.e at 4 and 8 weeks. The purpose of these sessions is to provide both formative and diagnostic feedback in order that students can reflect and review their current work and consider amendment or review based on the feedback provided. These sessions are viewed as essential for the development of relevant and informed strategic proposals, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary performance and application of research methodology and knowledge from other disciplines to inform unique outcomes.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	1250-1500 word strategic report	20.00
Reflective log	Accurate recording and documentation of the research and projext planning proposal (approximate word length 2000-3000 words though there will be no outer limit)	20.00
Portfolio	Presentation of urban spaces strategic projext incluing research insights, problem analysis, strategic and conceptual approach, creative solution and execution.	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 13/11/2018 09:25:45

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