Design, Culture and Society

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_AAMAACW004

Course Objective

Students in this course will:
- Objective 1: Delimit a specific sub-topic of contemporary design culture studies in relation to the course’s given umbrella topic (research skill);
- Objective 2: Conduct a clearly delimited literature search on this sub-topic (research skill);
- Objective 3: Critically analyse the literature on this sub-topic (analytical skill);
- Objective 4: Write a paper that critically reviews the literature on the delimited sub-topic (writing skill).

Course Content

This course introduces students to a contemporary topic of Design Culture Studies. The topic changes periodically, in relation to the current research of the course’s lecturer. Taking its cue from the VU’s educational vision (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, June 2021), this course is structured so as to encourage collaborative learning while at the same time valuing and respecting the different interests, concerns, backgrounds and experiences of students and teachers (6). Advancing from a vision of a ‘community of learners’ (ibid), students form small groups; each group identifies a sub-topic of their common interest that is related to the course’s umbrella topic; researches the current state of knowledge of their chosen sub-topic; and writes an article that critically reviews that literature. Through discussions of texts that are key to each group’s research, work-in-progress presentations, and peer-feedback sessions, the class together constructs in-depth knowledge relating to the course’s umbrella topic. This process will be structured and guided, with weekly assignments steering the groups in taking the necessary steps towards writing their final literature review paper.

Teaching Methods

Seminars, lectures, discussions, tutorials, feedback sessions.

Method of Assessment

The final grade will be based on the final paper (100%, group grade). To pass the course, the grade of the paper needs to be at least a 6.0. Grading is based on rubrics on Canvas. Matching of course objectives and assessment:
- Objective 1: Delimit a specific sub-topic of contemporary design culture studies in relation to the course’s given umbrella topic (research skill): final paper (100%)
- Objective 2: Conduct a clearly delimited literature search on this sub-topic (research skill): final paper (100%)
- Objective 3: Critically analyse the literature on this sub-topic (analytical skill): final paper (100%)
- Objective 4: Write a paper that critically reviews the literature on the delimited sub-topic (writing skill): final paper (100%)

Literature

will be announced before the start of the course (via canvas).

Target Audience

Students following the Design Cultures specialization of the MA Arts &Culture. Other MA students Arts & Culture and RMA students Humanities interested in taking this course as an elective may contact the course coordinator to discuss if they qualify to attend.

Additional Information

This course is obligatory for all master students in the MA Design Cultures. For attendance rules, see Teaching and Examination Regulations. Students should be aware that regular attendance is necessary to pass the course.

Recommended background knowledge

An academic bachelor, or a minor, in Arts, Literature, Design, or Media Studies.