Course - Introduction to Design,Technology and Society - IDG4110
Introduction to Design,Technology and Society
About
About the course
Course content
This is the master's programme's introductory subject which will give the interdisciplinary student group at MDTS basic knowledge about design, technology and societal changes.
The focus within these three major disciplines will be on these three main themes:
1. Wicked problems in society: Investigate deep-rooted societal challenges such as sustainability, inequality and digital transformation, and understand how design and technology can address them.
2. Design as a problem solver: Engage with design methodologies (eg, user-centered design, systems thinking) to navigate ambiguity and create solutions that are human-centered and service-oriented.
3. Technology for change: Introduces technology as a design material and driver of change. Covers adoption frameworks (Diffusion of Innovations, TRLs, SRLs, Hype Cycle) and explores AI, IoT, and mobile/social technologies, focusing on their role in creating social and economic improvements.
The first part of the course will largely be about building basic knowledge about the programme's three focus areas. The last part of the course will be an individual analytical written work (group work may be allowed; see "Further on evaluation") where students will analyse a self-selected problem and propose solutions.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
After completing the course, the student must:
- be able to identify some significant social and technological development features that can contribute to the transformative improvement of society
- be able to explain how design as a profession, mindset and process can help bring about changes
Skills
After completing the course, the student must be able to:
- carry out an analysis of factors that can contribute to finding new solutions to established challenges
General competence
In this subject, the student achieves general competence through...
- Demonstrate collaborative skills by working with fellow student evaluations
- Use their professional skills, new knowledge and critical thinking to discuss possible solutions to societal challenges
Learning methods and activities
- Lectures
- Self-study of the syllabus and electronic teaching aids
- Collection-based discussions/seminar
- Fellow student evaluation
This course may be offered to international students. Language of instruction may be English.
Compulsory assignments
- Individual Submissions
- 80% Attendance
Further on evaluation
The course is a case-based course where the students write a short individual project report that summarises the literature in the course and summarises their own thoughts on how new solutions can be created in the intersection between the programme's three academic focus areas (group work may be allowed upon request and must be approved by the course responsible). The answer will be given a letter grade from A-F.
The course also contains three smaller compulsory written exercises that prepare the student for the final report.
Mandatory:
- three (3) compulsory assignments
- at least 80% attendance at compulsory meetings
Also note:
- Some of the teaching may be given in English
- The student can choose between Norwegian and English as the written language in the submissions
- Students who wish to improve their grade in the course must retake the course again
Re-take of exam
- If failed, you are allowed to submit a new or revised exam next semester
- For voluntary course retake to improve grade, all assessments in the course must be retaken
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Design of Services, Technology and Interaction (MDTS)
Required previous knowledge
There are no prior knowledge requirements in the subject, apart from admission to the master programme MDTS
Course materials
Course material can be adjusted up until the start of the course and will be available at the start of the course.
Subject areas
- Design Methodology