Introduction to Design,Technology and Society

This is the master's programme's introductory subject which will give the interdisciplinary student group at MDTS basic knowledge about design, technology and societal changes.

The focus within these three major disciplines will be on these three main themes:

1. Wicked problems in society: Investigate deep-rooted societal challenges such as sustainability, inequality and digital transformation, and understand how design and technology can address them.

2. Design as a problem solver: Engage with design methodologies (eg, user-centered design, systems thinking) to navigate ambiguity and create solutions that are human-centered and service-oriented.

3. Technology for change: Introduces technology as a design material and driver of change. Covers adoption frameworks (Diffusion of Innovations, TRLs, SRLs, Hype Cycle) and explores AI, IoT, and mobile/social technologies, focusing on their role in creating social and economic improvements.

The first part of the course will largely be about building basic knowledge about the programme's three focus areas. The last part of the course will be an individual analytical written work (group work may be allowed; see "Further on evaluation") where students will analyse a self-selected problem and propose solutions.

Knowledge

After completing the course, the student must:

• be able to identify some significant social and technological development features that can contribute to the transformative improvement of society
• be able to explain how design as a profession, mindset and process can help bring about changes

Skills

After completing the course, the student must be able to:

• carry out an analysis of factors that can contribute to finding new solutions to established challenges

General competence

In this subject, the student achieves general competence through...

• Demonstrate collaborative skills by working with fellow student evaluations
• Use their professional skills, new knowledge and critical thinking to discuss possible solutions to societal challenges

• Lectures
• Self-study of the syllabus and electronic teaching aids
• Collection-based discussions/seminar
• Fellow student evaluation

This course may be offered to international students. Language of instruction may be English.