Course syllabus autumn 2021
Course syllabus autumn 2021
Title
Values in Design
Swedish title
Värderingar i design
Course code
KD610A
Credits
15 credits
Grading scale
UG / Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2020-12-08
Syllabus valid from
2021-01-18
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree in design, computer science, engineering or equivalent + the equivalent of English studies at the upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden, called English 6.
Level
Advanced level
No main field.
Progression level
A1N
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is not part of a Major Subject.
Course objectives
Scholars in a wide range of disciplines have acknowledged that values are integrated in technical systems, products and services, intentionally or unintentionally. New technologies, such as AI, algorithms, tracking devices, social network platforms etc., have the potential to either strengthen or undermine values. “Values” are here referred to as the principles and beliefs that influence one’s choices, judgements, behaviours and actions in all areas of private and public life.
Designers and developers ought to take responsibility for their own values. They ought to understand how technical systems, products and services support or undermine other people’s values and their impact on society, such as social patterns, increased surveillance, negative environmental impact, as well as impact of more positive kinds.
The course targets designers and developers of technical systems, products and services, who are interested in understanding and reflecting upon their own role in a design and development process where they negotiate and incorporate values. This an opportunity for professionals for further development in their field of expertise, and to establish new professional networks.
By partaking in the course, students will develop a vocabulary for arguing for the importance of making conscious and responsible choices when developing technical systems, products and services. They will be introduced to and apply approaches and generative tools for working with values in design in intentional and practical ways, in order to become responsible and caring designers of future technologies.
Course contents
The course is divided into three parts:
I) Introduction to theories and approaches for identifying and describing values in design, and to generative design tools for intentionally and practically design with values.
II) A design project where theories and approaches related to values in design are integrated and applied where relevant. The design project can be conducted individually or together with peers. The students may choose to work on a case developed by themselves, and/or a case that is connected to their professional role.
III) A critical reflection upon the outcome of a design and development process, including an evaluation of short- and long-term consequences of a design.
Throughout the course the students engage in peer-review and group critique sessions and provide feedback on each other’s work.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, the student shall be able to:
- Identify and describe values in design from a theoretical perspective.
- Apply approaches and generative design tools that intentionally and practically integrate values in a design.
- Analyse and reflect upon how values are embedded in the outcome of a design and development process.
- Critically evaluate a design project with a focus on values.
When the above learning objectives are met, a Pass (G) is given.
Learning activities
The course is web-based and part-time. The teaching activities are hosted on an online platform for collaborative digital learning. This is also where communication between students and lecturers takes place and where student projects are uploaded. Teaching and learning activities consist of online lectures and seminars, peer-to-peer learning activities, group critique sessions, and independent work.
Assessment
Students are examined through:
- Written analysis of values embedded in products, systems, or services (HP 4, ILO 1)
- Report presenting the design project, including a description of the values that serve as a foundation for the design (HP 6, ILO 2, 3)
- Video scenario presenting the outcome of the design project and describing how values come at play (HP 2, ILO 3)
- Written peer-review and critical evaluation of a design project with a focus on values. (HP 3, ILO 4)
Assignments 1-2 are examined individually. Assignment 3-4 are examined individually or in group depending upon if the students choose to collaborate with other students or not.
Course literature and other study material
- Friedman, Batya & Hendry, David (2019). Value sensitive design : shaping technology with moral imagination. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Additional readings provided by the teachers.
Course evaluation
The University provides all students who are participating in, or have completed, a course to express their experiences and views on the course through a course evaluation which is organized at the end of the course. The university will collate the course evaluations and provide information about their results and any actions prompted by them. The results shall be made available to the students. (HF 1:14).
Interim rules
When a course is no longer given, or the contents have been radically changed, the student has the right to re-take the examination, which will be given twice during a one-year period, according to the syllabus which was valid at the time of registration.