307839 (v.1) Design Investigations 491

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Area:	Department of Design
Credits:	25.0
Contact Hours:	5.0
Lecture:	1 x 1 Hours Weekly
Other:	1 x 2 Hours Weekly
Seminar:	1 x 2 Hours Weekly
Other Requisite(s):	Substantial completion: Bachelor of Arts (Design related) with a course weighted average of 65% and over.
Syllabus:	The primary focus of this unit is on identifying ands analysing the currency , significance and context of design research. Meeting "client and end user" needs is a maxim in design practice, in scholarly design research "identifying a research problem and explainig the significance of the research" are essential criteria whose needs must be met. Using multiple forms of media inquiry, students will identify, follow and discuss current design research issues, developments and factors influencing them. There are many factors that can give rise to the need for design research including political, technological, economic and social changes. Rearch priorities are neither static nor independant of a socio-cultural context - these dynamic factors also affect how the design research community, as well as the wider community, prioritises research issue.
Unit Outcomes:	On completion of this unit students will have - Become more informed about the socio-cultural factors and gained the ability to identify emerging design needs brought about by socio-cultural factors. Analysed and discussed how design research affects society and how society affects design research. Gained the ability to actively engage with the design research community by the preparation of a series of short design research digests and a research paper, with a view to submission for publication or conference presentation. Gained understanding of how to negotiate, write, carry out and reflect on the outcomes of the Design Learning Contract.
Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.
Unit References:	Williams, R. (1985). Keywords: A Vocabularly of Culture and Society. Glasgow, William Collins Sons and Company.
Unit Texts:	Emmison, M. and Smith, P. (2000). researching the Viusual : Images, objects, contexts and interactions in Soacial and Cultural Inquiry. London, Sage Publications. LUpton, E. adn Miller, A. (1996). Design Writing Research: Writing on Graphic Design. London, Phaidon Press. Tyner, K. Media Literacy.
Unit Assessment Breakdown:	Digests (3) 30%, Participation 30%, Paper 40%. This is a grade/mark assessment.
Year Location Period Internal Area External Central External 2004 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y     2004 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y