Module Details

Module Code: DSGN H3426
Module Title: Design, Culture and Society
Title: Design, Culture and Society
Module Level:: 7
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Eileen Doyle
Module Author:: Carmel Maher
Domains:  
Module Description: The aim of this module is to provide a forum for the learner to discuss, analyse and evaluate current cultural practices and their impact on design and also the impact of design on contemporary culture, to evidence this understanding in their essay writing and to apply this understanding in their studio work.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Explore and discuss the evolving relationship between cultural practices and the social and symbolic meanings of designed products.
LO2 Apply an analytical framework such as the Circuit of Culture (du Gay et al.,1997) to analyse and describe the social and symbolic meaning of a particular product and use it to structure an academic essay.
LO3 Apply the language, styles and conventions of academic essay writing including the Harvard referencing system.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
6858 INTL H3424 Industrial Design
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction to Culture
Definition of culture and an introduction to its evolving relationship with product design.
Analytical Framework for Cultural Analysis
Introduction to du Gay et al (see book resources) analytical framework for cultural analysis. This framework described as the 'circuit of culture' identifies and describes the five major cultural processes which impact on the social and symbolic meaning of a designed product.
Application of du Gay et al (see book resources) analytical framework
The five major cultural processes, Representation, Identity, Production, Consumption and Regulation will be discussed and applied to the analysis of a product example.
Introduction to Product Semantics
An introduction to semantics as a means to understand communication of product social and symbolic meaning.
Essay Writing
The learner will be guided in the preparation of an academic research essay.
Design Studio (Resource)
Design Studio - a dedicated space designed to allow for studio based learning. This space is specific to a particular learning group. While used to deliver studio based education the space is available to be used outside the time frame of the working day. It provides a safe learner driven, peer-reviewed environment, supported on a one-to-one basis. It supports the synthesis of parallel concurrent modular knowledge, skills and competency with prior learning & personal aesthetic judgement, to resolve specific design research question/s.
Computers/Plotters/Printers (Resource)
Computers/Plotters/Printers – in this year each learner requires the use of a personal computer of suitable specification to run software used on the design programme. There should be access to the internet and the IT Carlow library databases, blackboard and turnitin.There should be access to printing and plotting facilities in order to complete final deliverables.
Software (Resource)
Software on student PCs - Microsoft Office software and a recent version of EndNote referencing software.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Presentation describing the social and symbolic meaning of a particular product, range of products or brand. This assessment is linked to the 'Repositioning Project' in the 'Design Studio 3' module.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 60
Timing Week 14 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Write a fully referenced academic essay discussing the relationship between cultural practices and artefacts. The exact title will be decided by the lecturer.
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 15 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Reflection on module learning experience and relevance for practice, providing guidance for future personal learning and design practice.
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 10
Timing Ongoing Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Throughout module, learner awareness, engagement and development of Institutional and sectoral graduate attributes is captured on a Likert Scale range; including module participation, contribution, collaboration, professionalism etc..
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Cultural Practice, Product Design Analysis and Essay Writing. Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Learning Time Non Contact Research, Product Analysis Presentation and Essay Writing Every Week 6.00 6
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • du Gay, P., Hall,S., Janes, L., Mackay, H., Negus, K.. (2003), Doing Cultural Studies The Story of the Sony Walkman, 1st. SAGE Publications Ltd, London, [ISBN: 0 7619 5402 3].
  • Burbach, R. Lennon, R. Raftery, D.. (2010), Credit Where Credit is Due, IT Carlow, Carlow.
  • Inger Mewburn,Katherine Firth,Shaun Lehmann. How to Fix Your Academic Writing Trouble, [ISBN: 0335243320].
  • Barthes, Roland. Mythologies, Vintage Classics, p.208, [ISBN: 0099529750].
  • Berger, Arthur Asa. (2014), What Objects Mean, Second Edition: An Introduction to Material Culture, 2nd edition. Routledge, [ISBN: 1611329043].
  • Berger, Arthur Asa. The Objects of Affection: Semiotics and Consumer Culture, Palgrave Macmillan, p.212, [ISBN: 0230103731].
  • Klaus krippendorff. (2005), The semantic turn, Talor & Francis, London & New York.
  • Hall, Sean. This Means This, This Means That A user's guide to semiotics, Laurence King Publishers, p.192, [ISBN: 9781856697354].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Brown, B., Buchanan, R., DiSalvo, C., Doordan, D., and Margolin, V.. Relevant Articles, Design Issues.
  • Design Studies Forum. Relevant Articles, Design and Culture.
  • Cross, N.. Relevant Articles, Design Studies.
  • Chen, L.. Relevant Articles, International Journal of Design.
  • Atkinson, P.. Relevant Articles, The Design Journal.
Other Resources
Discussion Note: