85505 Design Interventions: Making Theories

6cp

Every design embodies a theory about people, the world and the way people interact with products, environments and communications. This subject teaches students how to develop well-constructed theories that can give new insights into situations and thereby develop more creative and more effective designs. Students are introduced to a range of current cultural theories including: visual culture – which focuses on the way the 'society of spectacle' 'sees' things; and material culture – which focuses on the material things people depend upon and value by owning.

Assessment:

Assessment	Weighting	Description	Due date	Learning objectives	Additional comments
1	30%	Literature Review Research a contemporary cultural phenomenon and review the cultural theory(s) operating in the critiques	Week 5	1, 2, 8	Individual
2	40%	Research Essay Theorising a cultural phenomenon by drawing upon a selected theory	Week 11	1, 2, 3, 6, 8	Individual
3	30%	Rationale for and development of a cultural probe or critical design	Week 14	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	Group

Typical availability

Spring semester, City campus

Fee information

2008 contribution for post-2008 Commonwealth-supported students: $636.88
Note: Students who commenced prior to 1 January 2008 should consult the Student contribution charges for Commonwealth supported students
Not all students are eligible for Commonwealth Supported places.

2008 amount for undergraduate domestic fee-paying students: $2,316.00

Note: Fees for Postgraduate domestic fee-paying students and international students are charged according to the course they are enrolled in. Students should refer to the Annual Fees Schedule.

Subject EFTSL: 0.125

Access conditions

Note: The requisite information presented in this subject description covers only academic requisites. Full details of all enforced rules, covering both academic and admission requisites, are available at Access conditions and My Student Admin.