CMNS 386 (SPECIAL TOPICS): COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN DESIGN

Professor: Ellen Balka E-mail ebalka@sfu.ca

Office: CC 6228 Phone 291-3764

Office Hours: Thurs. 1:00-2:00 Mon. 2:00-3:00 (Correct)

Thurs. 3:00-4:00 Mon.

Course 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. Lab exercises will emphasize making decisions that occur during the design process explicit , and making values that enter into design processes explicit.

Topics will include:

· arts, craft, innovation and design;

· the design process as a social and communicative process;

· cultural factors in design;

· communicating across disciplinary boundaries;

· the use of representations in the design process;

· universal design;

· sex, gender and design;

· environmental considerations in design and green design;

· ergonomic considerations in design;

· user involvement in the design process.

Required texts:

Margolin, V. And Buchanan, R. (19XX). The idea of design: A design issues reader. MIT Press: Cambridge.

Orr, J. (1996). Talking about machines: An ethnography of a modern job. Cornell: Ithaca, N.Y.

Course Format:

The course will consist of weekly 2 hour lectures, and 2 hour labs. Lectures will be used to introduce students to a range of topics. Labs will be used to give students practical experience addressing the topics introduced during lectures. Students will work together in small groups during labs, and will complete a variety of exercises designed to complement lecture topics.

Assignment Structure:

Type of Assignment Approximate Due Date % of grade

In class mid-term Week 6 20%
Lab assignments 1 week after lab 2@ 15% each
1st one prior to mid-term
Final Paper or Project 1 week after last class 35%
Class and lab participation Ongoing 15%

Preliminary Description of Assignments

More detailed descriptions of requirements for lab write-ups will be distributed at the start of class. Detailed instructions for completing the final projects and paper will be given to students at the beginning of the term.

Mid-term:

The in class mid-term will encourage students to synthesize materials introduced in lectures, readings and labs. It should be viewed as an opportunity to demonstrate that you have kept up with assigned readings and attended labs and lectures regularly, as well as a creative exercise. It will consist of a few short answer questions as well as one or two extended essays questions.

Lab assignments:

Each week during the lab time students will be given one or more exercises to complete during lab time, in small groups. During the course of the semester students must complete an extended write-up about the exercise they undertook as part of a group during lab time. After working in groups, individuals will complete lab write-ups, which will consist of responding to questions posed about the exercise(s) undertaken in the lab, and linking these to the week's assigned readings. Lab write-ups should be between 5 and 7 double spaced typed pages.

Final project and paper:

Working alone or in groups, students will invent, modify or design a technology of their choice. (Some lab time will be set aside for students working on groups to work on their projects). Students must submit a paper that provides a rationale for the invention, modification or design of the technology they have focused on, charts decisions made during the design process, and addresses the social and cultural context of the technology they have designed. Final papers should incorporate material from assigned readings and lectures. It is anticipated that final papers will be around 20 double-spaced typed pages.

Class participation:

It is expected that students will attend both lectures and labs, and will come to class prepared. Class participation will be based on contributions to lectures and labs.

CMNS 386-4: Communication and Social Issues in Design

Weekly Lecture and Reading Schedule