Spring 2018 - CMNS 354 D100
Communication and Social Issues in Design (4)
Class Number: 2964
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Vancouver
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Instructor:
Frederik Lesage
flesage@sfu.ca
778-782-9360 (Burnaby)
Office: K-8665 (Burnaby)
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Prerequisites:
60 units, including two of CMNS 253 (or 253W), 362, 363; FPA 310, 387; IAT 206, 235, 333.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
This course will explore social issues and values in designing technology, through a focus on both the objects and processes of design. Emphasis will be placed on communication between participants in the design process, and identification of social issues and values that influence design. Students will work in cross-disciplinary groups during labs. Lab exercises will emphasize making decisions that occur during the design process explicit, and making values that enter into design processes explicit.
COURSE DETAILS:
Overview:
The objectives of this course are to introduce students to social issues and values related to designing media technologies and content. It will focus on the objects, materials, and processes of design. Taking a social shaping of technology approach, the course will cover design-related theories and concepts, methodological approaches, and examine case studies, to understand how design culture and politics shape the many facets of everyday life. The course design combines readings and extensive in-class discussion with “hands-on” group assignments that afford students with opportunities to apply the theories and methods learned in class.
Grading
- Group Projects 55%
- Mid-Term Exam (In-Class) 10%
- Final Assignment 10%
- Lecture and Tutorial Participation 15%
- Final Exam 10%
NOTES:
A minimum 2.25 CMNS GPA and 2.00 overall CGPA, and approval as a communication student is required for entry into most communication upper division courses.
The school expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 as regards Student Discipline. [Note: as of May 1, 2009, the previous T10 series of policies covering Intellectual Honesty (T10.02) and Academic Discipline (T10.03) have been replaced with the new S10 series of policies.]
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
A set of readings will be made available on Canvas.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Balsamo, A., Designing Culture: The Technological Imagination at Work. London: Duke University Press, 2011. ISBN: 0822344459 or
ISBN: 9780822344452
Julier, G., The Culture of Design (3rd edition). London: Sage, 2013. ISBN: 1446273598 or
ISBN: 9781446273593
Katz, B., Make It New: The History of Silicon Valley Design. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2017. ISBN: 0262533596 or
ISBN: 9780265233591
Molotch, H., Where Stuff Comes From: How toasters, toilets, cars, computers, and many other things come to be as they are. London: Routledge, 2005. ISBN: 0415574811 or
ISBN: 9780415950428
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