Entry requirements

60 credits

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• account for different theoretical design principles and models for sustainable design;
• account for and critically relate to sustainable design from an ethical, cultural and historical perspective;
• critically review different design solutions ecological, social and economical consequences;
• independently apply a specific design theory on a specific challenge within the sustainability field.

Content

In the course the concepts of sustainable development and design from an interdisciplinary perspective are introduced. The course includes a broad orientation and overview of different design principles and models of sustainable design, as for example design with inspiration from nature and based on ecological systems and conditions. These examples are then reviewed and problematised from a critical analysis and discussion with focus on ethics, power, risks and possibilities, idea-historical examples, different culture and world views, and aesthetics. In the course the acquired theoretical knowledge is applied within a specific design principle on a field within the sustainability field. The course aims for an interdisciplinary work process where design includes technical, social, economical, ecological integrated and sustainable systems. The project work offers the possibility to explore different creative presentations techniques.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and workshops. The lectures are given by guest lecturers from various academic disciplines and relevant areas of society. Ample opportunities are provided for active student participation and critical reflection. Participation in seminars and workshops is compulsory. Non-compulsory study visits or equivalent may occur.

Assessment

The student is examined through written preparation for (2 credits) and active participation in seminars and workshops (1.5 credits), and through written documentation (3.5 credits) and oral presentation (0.5 credit) of a project.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other directives

Active participation is reassessed throuh a re-seminar. If a student after having been offered a re-seminar still does not meet the requirements to pass the active participation elements the examiner can chose reassessment by another method.