DYN903 Design Ethics and Impacts
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | DYN903 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| Domestic tuition unit fee | $2,976 |
| International unit fee | $4,044 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | DYN903 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | None |
| Coordinator: | Tiziana Ferrero-Regis | tiziana.ferreroregis@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit explores the critical intersection of ethics and design, addressing fundamental principles, ethical issues, and real-world challenges. This unit delves into the ethical implications and consequences of design choices, preparing students to become responsible, socially-conscious strategy designers. As a vital requirement for prudential judgment and good decision-making, this unit develops a better understanding of the impact of design on society across economic, environmental, social, and cultural dimensions. It bridges foundational knowledge with ethical inquiry, which students can practice in subsequent units and apply in their future careers.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically assess the ethical implications and consequences of design choices in the context of various societal dimensions, including economic, environmental, social, and cultural factors
- Apply established ethical frameworks and principles to guide design decision-making, with an understanding of their real-world impact on stakeholders, organisations, and communities.
- Communicate and justify ethical design perspectives effectively, both in written and verbal forms, using appropriate academic discourse and referencing.
- Examine real-world examples of design choices and their societal impacts, facilitating a deeper appreciation of the tangible implications of design ethics.
- Demonstrate the ability to engage in ethical decision-making processes and discussions, fostering the development of responsible and socially-conscious design strategies for future professional contexts.
Content
In this unit, students will explore the ethical dimensions of design and its far-reaching impacts on society. The unit delves into fundamental concepts, contemporary ethical issues, and the practical application of ethical design principles. By understanding how design choices influence society across economic, environmental, social, and cultural aspects, students will be better equipped to make responsible decisions as strategy designers.
The unit integrates a variety of real-world case studies, ensuring representation from different cultural, social, and economic contexts. The unit takes a proactive approach to highlight the importance of diverse voices in ethical considerations, encouraging students to critically analyse how design choices may impact various communities. Furthermore, the content emphasises responsible design practices and approaches, looking at the ethical responsibility designers hold in contributing positively to diverse societal needs. Throughout the unit, students are encouraged to apply ethical principles in design scenarios, promoting inclusive decision-making processes that consider a broad spectrum of perspectives. This unit lays a foundation for ethical decision making in strategic design that is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and responsive to diverse needs.
Within this context, the broad areas to be covered will include the following:
- Introduction to Design Ethics
- Contemporary cases of ethical issues and dilemmas in the design field
- Impact Assessment: Cultural and Social Impact; Environmental Sustainability; Economic Implications
- Responsible Design Practices and Approaches
- Professional Codes of Ethics and Practice
- More-than-Human Futures and LIfe-Centred Design
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following pedagogical approaches: (i) Lectures invite you to engage with instructive, thought-provoking ethical issues and dilemmas delivered by our experienced teaching staff. These lectures are designed to introduce you to fundamental concepts and ethical issues related to design ethics and impacts. They provide a structured framework for your learning journey and offer opportunities for guided interaction. (ii) Tutorials play a pivotal role in reinforcing the knowledge and ideas presented in lectures and core learning materials. Our dedicated teaching staff will guide you through activities such as analysis, problem-solving, debate, and discussion. These sessions provide an opportunity to engage actively with the course material, facilitating a deeper understanding of ethical design concepts.
Key Expectations:
To make the most of lectures and tutorials, active participation is essential. This includes attending lectures with an open and inquisitive mind, actively participating in tutorial discussions, and demonstrating a commitment to understanding and critically evaluating ethical design principles and their real-world impacts. Your willingness to engage with course materials, readings, ask questions, and contribute to discussions is paramount.
The learning approaches within this unit are designed to scaffold your successful completion of two key assessment tasks:
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Discussion Forum: This assessment entails active participation in discussions and contributions on the QUT Canvas learning platform. You will have the chance to comment on or post contributions to topics and questions posed by both your lecturer and peers. Engaging in these discussions will help you consolidate your understanding of ethical issues and the impacts of design on society. Regular participation is encouraged, fostering an exchange of diverse perspectives and insights.
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Critical Essay: This assessment task requires you to craft an extended prose response to a defined question, problem, or issue. The critical essay focuses on academic writing skills, synthesis, analysis, and proper referencing. This task will help you dive deeper into the subject matter, allowing you to develop critical thinking and written communication skills while applying ethical principles to real-world scenarios.
Through a combination of lectures, tutorials, discussion forums, and essay writing, you will build a solid foundation in design ethics and learn how to critically assess the impacts of design on society. These activities are structured to support your achievement of the unit's learning outcomes and prepare you for responsible, ethically informed design practices.
Some of the material you will need and details about the tasks that you will undertake will be found on the DYN903 Canvas site. You will need to regularly connect with this site to be kept informed of latest news and of weekly requirements of the unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
In this unit, you will receive feedback through a variety of strategies, each aimed at enhancing your learning journey. These strategies are designed to provide you with timely, constructive, and actionable feedback that promotes deep understanding of the unit's content and the development of essential skills.
Feedback in this unit is delivered through various channels, including:
Discussion Forums: Your active participation in weekly online discussion forums will not only foster meaningful dialogues with peers and academics but also provide you with regular feedback on your contributions. These discussions offer insights into your comprehension of ethical design concepts and their practical applications. Constructive feedback from peers and instructors will help you refine your viewpoints and approach.
Tutorial Sessions: The fortnightly intensive tutorial sessions are an opportunity for you to engage with academic staff and peers in discussions, problem-solving activities, and debates related to ethical design principles. During these sessions, you will receive feedback on your ideas, arguments, and critical thinking abilities. This feedback aims to guide you in developing a deeper understanding of the unit's themes.
Written Assessments: Your written assessments, including your critical essay, will provide another avenue for feedback. Through detailed feedback on your written work, you will gain insights into your academic writing skills, synthesis, and analysis. This feedback is crucial for refining your writing abilities and addressing specific areas of improvement.
The feedback you receive is intended to enhance your learning in this unit and prepare you for future units and your professional endeavours. You can use this feedback in the following ways:
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Reflect and Revise: Take the time to reflect on the feedback provided, whether it is from discussion forums, tutorial sessions, or written assessments. Use this feedback to identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement. Revising your work in response to feedback is a crucial part of the learning process.
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Engage Actively: Actively participate in discussion forums and tutorials, ask questions, and seek clarification on feedback to deepen your understanding. The more actively you engage, the more comprehensive the feedback you will receive.
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Transfer Learning: Apply the knowledge and skills you acquire from feedback to subsequent assessments and units. This transfer of learning will empower you to build on your strengths and address areas that need development.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, you will engage in two summative assessment tasks that are challenging, realistic, and designed to support your long-term development as an independent and highly employable graduate.
Throughout the unit, you will participate in formative assessments and learning activities to develop the knowledge and skills essential for the successful completion of the summative assessments. These activities include:
- Lectures: Instructive presentations by teaching staff or guest lecturers on ethical design concepts.
- Tutorials: Facilitated sessions that encourage problem-solving, debate, discussion, and consolidation of concepts presented in lectures.
- Peer Feedback: The opportunity to provide and receive feedback from peers and teaching staff, fostering an iterative improvement process.
- Self-Assessment: Reflecting on your progress, identifying areas of improvement, and setting goals for enhancement.
These formative learning activities are strategically designed to empower you to build the knowledge and skills necessary for the successful completion of the summative assessments. Regular feedback from both peers and teaching staff will guide your development, ensuring you are well-prepared to demonstrate your learning effectively in the assessments. Your journey through these assessments will equip you to become a responsible and socially-conscious strategy designer, ready to apply your skills and knowledge ethically and confidently in your future career.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Discussion Forum
In this formative assessment, you will actively participate in online discussions on QUT Canvas. These discussions provide a platform for critical thinking, dialogue with your peers, and the application of ethical design principles. The feedback and insights gained from these forums will empower you to articulate and reflect upon ethical design concepts effectively. Your active participation in discussion forums not only strengthens your comprehension of ethical design but also fosters the critical thinking skills necessary for your success in the critical essay.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Critical Essay
This summative assessment is designed to measure your academic writing skills, analysis, synthesis, and referencing in the context of ethical design. The critical essay presents you with a profound exploration of a specific question, authentic real-world problem, or issue related to ethical design. It is an opportunity to exhibit your ability to critically analyse and synthesise information, demonstrating a deep understanding of ethical design's impact on various aspects of society.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
You will be provided with a number of required readings that will be accessible via the Canvas site and/or the QUT Library. You will also have access to a range of software applications and online tools and platforms.
The unit Canvas site will provide a central repository for digital resources as well as documentation on unit housekeeping. You are expected to both review the unit Canvas site and check your QUT student email account at least daily.
Risk Assessment Statement
All commencing CIESJ students are required to complete the mandatory CIESJ Student HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) Inductions.
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the learning and teaching activities in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.DE77 Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design
- Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible judgement and decision making in individual and collaborative modes.
Relates to: Discussion Forum, Critical Essay
DE88 Graduate Diploma in Strategic Design
- Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible judgement and decision making in individual and collaborative modes.
Relates to: Discussion Forum, Critical Essay - Evaluate and incorporate sustainable practices in the context of Strategic Design.
Relates to: Discussion Forum, Critical Essay - Develop an understanding of the international landscape by evaluating diverse cultural, economic, and geopolitical perspectives in the context of Strategic Design.
Relates to: Discussion Forum, Critical Essay
DE99 Master of Design (Strategic Design)
- Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible judgement and decision making, recognising the importance of personal accountability, acumen and reflective practice when working in individual and collaborative modes
Relates to: Discussion Forum, Critical Essay - Assess, integrate, and champion sustainable practices in the context of Strategic Design, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability
Relates to: Discussion Forum, Critical Essay - Develop a nuanced understanding and sensitivity of the international landscape by synthesising diverse cross-cultural, economic, and geopolitical perspectives for effective Strategic Design leadership and approaches
Relates to: Discussion Forum, Critical Essay - Demonstrate an ability to research and apply established theories and plan and execute a substantial research project, cultivating and communicating designerly thinking
Relates to: Critical Essay