Skip to main content
Unit outline_

DESN1001: Design Theory and Culture

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The role of design, and the designer, within contemporary society, is continuously evolving. This unit provides a concise overview of the evolution of design over the last century, drawing on some of the prominent theoretical frameworks, practices and perspectives that have influenced and shaped the discipline. In this unit, students will explore the shift from traditional production-based practices to human-centred design and more recent thinking around decolonised and post-anthropogenic futures. In interrogating discourse of design theory and culture, students will develop the fundamental principles and skills of scholarly research in the discipline, including locating and evaluating sources, critical thinking and reflection.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Leigh-Anne Hepburn, leigh-anne.hepburn@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Reflection Activity
Written/visual contribution
20% Multiple weeks Short weekly task
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO2
Assignment Annotated Bibliography 1
Annotated bibliography
30% Week 06
Due date: 05 Sep 2022 at 23:59
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task Peer Review Activity
Peer review of annotated bibliography
10% Week 07
Due date: 12 Sep 2022 at 23:59
One hour
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Assignment Annotated Bibliography 2
Annotated bibliography
40% Week 13
Due date: 31 Oct 2022 at 23:59
2400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

Weekly Reflection Activity: Each week students are required to engage with the weekly reading, lecture, and podcast material and complete a reflection activity. This activity will support the understanding of the topics covered and will provide the basis for the tutorial discussion that week. Please see the assessment description for further information. 

Annotated Bibliography 1: In this activity, students demonstrate an understanding of the theories covered in class by undertaking scholarly research to identify relevant academic papers. Students will complete an annotated bibliography that identifies and critically analyses at least two pieces of writing related to one of the themes covered in class. Please see the assessment description for further information.

Peer Review: In this assessment, students peer-review an annotated bibliography submitted by a fellow student, practicing essential skills of critique to provide constructive feedback. Please see the assessment description for further information.

Annotated Bibliography 2: In this activity, students respond to peer and tutor feedback to complete an extended annotated bibliography that identifies and critically analyses at least four pieces of writing related to one of the themes covered in class. Please see the assessment description for further information.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Position, Self & Role of the Designer Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Position, Self & Role of the Designer Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Alternative Design Perspectives Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Alternative Design Perspectives Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 The Reflective Designer Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
The Reflective Designer Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand and identify historical and contemporary theories relevant to the design discipline
  • LO2. identify and critically analyse theories that form the basis of design cultures
  • LO3. apply appropriate design research methodologies to support research activity
  • LO4. demonstrate a deep understanding of critical reflection
  • LO5. communicate concepts visually and present in a professional manner

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The content and tutorial tasks have been amended in response to student and tutor feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.