Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2017 - IAT 832 G100

Exploring Interactivity (3)

Class Number: 6744

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Tue, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Analyses, designs and prototypes more effective and more appropriate products and systems to support interactivity. This course will examine these issues through an iterative modeling process.

COURSE DETAILS:

Who should take this course:
This course will be of interest to students working and researching at the intersection of design and interactive technologies. Note this is primarily a theory and seminar course.

Pre-requisites and course enrolment:
Graduate standing.  Enrolment may be limited.

(Graduate students from other academic units are welcome to apply for admission to this course subject to approval of the instructor)

Topics:
Readings and discussions will be structured around evolutionary shifts in the discourse concerning interaction design.  The course borrows and extends McCarthy and Wright’s notion of “turns” in the traditions of interaction design, design, and human-computer interaction:  The turn to practice from rationalism in design; the turn to embodiment; the turn to context and ethnography; the turn to politics and participation; and the turn to aesthetics.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Aims:
The aim of this course is to explore design research issues in and related to interaction and design that will complement or provide research paths in design and technology for students.  The course will discuss definition of terms and concepts in interaction design, the evolution and use of the concepts of design and interaction.

Interaction design is in many respects the convergence of design practice and thinking, the effect and use of interactive technologies, and the understanding of the experience of interaction mediated through technology.  The course is intended as an in-depth exploration of this convergence structured along three lines of inquiry that intersect and weave through the course:
1. What ideas and concepts have emerged to define interaction design?
2. What are the theoretical foci in interaction design?
3. What related ideas have informed interaction design?

These inquiries will occur over several classes and consist of a combination of readings, seminar discussions and student presentations.  A final paper will be assigned with an emphasis on investigating a topic through a literature review, identification of issues and research questions (through primary research in practice and or analysis of the literature).

Outcomes:
Students will develop an understanding of the field of interaction design, and the issues of design and interactive technology.  Students will have an in-depth understanding of a related topic and potential research pursuits in this area.

Grading

  • Participation 20%%
  • Seminar & Discussion Presentations (40 mins) 35%%
  • Final Paper 45%%

NOTES:

Course Reference: (Tentative List):
Readings for the course will include a selection of materials from the following: (plus selected articles and papers as appropriate)

Dourish, P. (2001). Where The Action Is: The Foundation of Embodied Interaction. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Ehn P (1989) Work-oriented design of computer artifacts. Arbetslivscentrum, Stockholm.
Kaptelinin, V., Nardi, B.A.Acting with technology activity theory and interaction design, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 2006.
Löwgren, J. and Stolterman, E. Thoughtful interaction design : a design perspective on information technology. MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 2004.
McCarthy, J. and Wright, P. Technology as experience. MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 2004.
Norman, D.A. The psychology of everyday things. Basic Books, New York, 1988.
Reckwitz, A. (2002b). Toward a Theory of Social Practices : A Development in Culturalist Theorizing. European Journal of Social Theory. 5(2), 243-263.
Schon, D.A. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. New York: Basic Books.
Shove, E., Watson, M., Hand, M., and Ingram. J. (2007) The Design of Everyday Life. Berg Publishers.
Suchman, L.A. Plans and situated actions: The problem of human-machine communication. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Cambridgeshire; New York, 1987

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS