2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

DESN5124M Social Design Projects

30 creditsClass Size: 40

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

Taught: 1 Sep to 31 Jan (Adv pre 2223) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Students from MUAS and UoL will participate in a five-month exchange programme with the partner institution, During the exchange students will work simultaneously on individual and group project briefs, both of which will engage students in relevant social problems within an international context. As a result cultural, economic, social and political issues will require that students rapidly adapt to a new environment, expand their current knowledge and apply their existing knowledge to local problems. Equally they will have to adapt communication and presentation techniques to be able to communicate complex concepts in a format that can transcend language and other cultural barriers.

Objectives

To provide students with direct international experience, both individually and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, of working with local community groups, organisations (government, private and third sector) and individuals, in identifying problems and proposing appropriate creative solutions. The objective is to provide students with opportunities to apply design thinking to social, environmental and economic challenges and demonstrate both innovation and pragmatism in their proposed solutions.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of/ability to:
• Application of appropriate research methodologies and problem analysis.
• Empathy and engagement with unfamiliar information, situations and attitudes.
• Development of strategic, conceptual thinking addressing identified need.
• Decision-making and identification of aims and objectives.
• Effective use of available resources as an individual and team member.

Skills outcomes
Subject specific skills:
(optional) Ability to comprehend and empathise with people and their needs within an international context and to provide, through the application of design thinking, both innovative and practical solutions to identified problems.

Syllabus

Week 1 Introduction to module, individual project briefings and group proposals
Week 2 Research Methods
Week 3 Insights and action points
Week 4 Identify appropriate strategies and concepts
Week 5 Develop creative proposals
Week 6 Communicate proposals; professional standards of presentation
Week 7 Respond to feedback, adapt to environments
Week 8 Develop proposition/solution
Week 9 Coordination and synthesis
Week 10 Implementation
Week 11 Evaluation and reflection

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	10	4.00	40.00
Group learning	2	4.00	8.00
Lecture	1	2.00	2.00
Practical	8	4.00	32.00
Independent online learning hours			68.00
Private study hours			150.00
Total Contact hours			82.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

The student exchange programme and associated pre-organisation and planning requirements will mean additional private study and group organisation activities will be necessary prior to the commencement of the module. Time will be allocated in the previous semester for these activities to be planned and relevant guidance provided in preparation for the exchange.
Students will be provided with a framework to engage with on-going private study during the module, led by instruction and guidance from teaching staff and discussion groups in the practical sessions. Digital copies of lectures will be provided and uploaded to the VLE alongside audio, visual and online reading material. Critical thinking skills will be developed through on-going presentation critiques where feedback by both academic staff and fellow students can assist in continual development and review of current proposals.
• Library search, selection of brief: 20 hours
• Identification and critical review of background literature, research methods and other sources: 20 hours
• Preparation of project plan: 10 hours
• Research: 20 hours
• Creative development: 30 hours
• Production of innovation project outputs (boards, portfolio, report, log): 50

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Interim critique sessions are planned 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 effective communication and presentation methods and in order to assist in the development of critical thinking and the exercise of judgement and leadership qualities.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	1250-1500 word reflective report	20.00
Group Project	Social Project; including research insights, problem analysis, strategic and conceptual approach, creative solution and execution.	30.00
Reflective log	Accurate recording and documentation of the research and creative proposal development for both group and individual project (approximate word length = 2000 - 3000 words, though there will be no outer limit).	20.00
Portfolio	Individual Social Project; including research insights, problem analysis, strategic and conceptual approach, creative solution and execution.	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Course work is monitored throughout the module and feedback provided at week 6 and monitored in week 7.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 02/07/2019

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