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2022/23 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

DESN1847 Design History, Design Futures

20 creditsClass Size: 260

Module manager: Dr John Hammersley
Email: j.hammersley1@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

Module replaces

DESN1815

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The course aims to provide a basic introduction to the debates in art and design from 1900 to the present day and beyond. It provides a broad picture of the movements instrumental in establishing views of practice in the context of design histories and cultures. This is an examination of the histories pertinent to Industrial and Post-industrial society and relevant to the contexts for design production today and in the future. The course encompasses everyday designed objects and their manufacture, production, distribution and consumption. It refers to the clothes we wear, things we furnish our homes with, places where we shop, places where we live and places where we learn.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are to:
- provide an historical and theoretical overview of the cultures and histories of design in western Europe and other global locations, from the Industrial Revolution to the present day and beyond;
- introduce relevant historical, conceptual, critical and methodological tools for the analysis and discussion of design and its objects;
- represent a broad historical overview of the production and consumption of design throughout the period of study.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have provided evidence of being able to:
1. demonstrate a familiarity with the history and development of design, and its objects from 1840 to the present day and beyond
2. present a structured and coherent critical analysis of an object or development in design based on research
3. appreciate and interpret design within the social, cultural, historical, political or other appropriate context of the relevant period.


Syllabus

Starting in 1900 and continuing up to the present day and beyond, this module aims to provide an overview of some of the major turning points in the history and development of designed objects and culture. The aim of the module is to provide an introduction to the styles, schools and movements in the history of design from the 1900s to present day and beyond. The classification and selection of the art and design movements included in this module are chosen to reflect their cultural significance in relation to social, economic and political factors.
The module examines designed objects and design culture in the historical and theoretical context of its production. The nature of the production and consumption of the objects and artefacts that make up design culture is examined in cultural, economic, industrial, social and political contexts.
The module calls upon certain theories of culture and social formation present in other discourses. They are contextualised within such notions as the individual, consumption and consumerism, social and industrial revolution, concepts of space and the nature of technology. The issues of the deep ecology of consumer culture, sustainability, ethical consumption and future global contexts for design are also examined in detail.
The lectures are complimented by seminars and academic skills workshops in order to aid with transition to university and build confidence in research, reading and critical thinking. These include:
• Workshops focused on building key academic skills
• Seminars focused on relating theory and practice
• Seminars co-taught with IDEA to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue
• Mid-semester museum trips/ design walking tours to build community. These will be supplemented with virtual trips should it not be possible to run trips in-person.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Workshop91.009.00
Visit22.004.00
Seminars81.008.00
Lecture201.0020.00
Independent online learning hours53.00
Private study hours106.00
Total Contact hours41.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Independent online learning (53hrs) is facilitated by a website resource of slides, films and readings, which allows student to explore in more detail topics identified in the lectures, and gain familiarity with key producers, images and ideas.

Private study (106hrs) includes:
set reading (30hrs),
further reading to develop ideas presented in the lecture (20hrs)
preparation of two essay assignments (56hrs).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

An 800 word review of a journal article is presented for formative feedback via Turnitin. This allows students access to their Turnitin report and facilitates learning in academic essentials. Students will receive written formative feedback on this activity.
For ongoing formative feedback students will create portfolio of writing tasks derived from seminar activities and use this for peer-feedback activities. In semester 2 students will bring short writing tasks to seminars for discussion, culminating in a body of work that can be used to build a draft of their final essays.
Student progress is monitored through a register of attendance at lectures and seminars, and by the assessment of assignments both formative and summative.
Tutorials are available to all student via email and in office hours.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
EssayEssay 2000-2500 words100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

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

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/10/2022

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