Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit seeks to use design approaches and frameworks to address global issues (social, economic, environmental and political) by establishing the value of design to a broader audience. By focusing on an issue-based methodology to problem solving, community-centred approaches and the importance of learning from the past, this unit seeks to establish a best practice framework for understanding the field and the worth of design that serves all people.
Social-impact projects are those whose outcomes are measured not through a lens of profits and market adoption, but through changes in behaviour that ultimately benefit individuals and communities as a whole across a broad range of social domains. What sets most social-impact projects apart from more traditional consumer work is the extent to which they must work with a wide range of stakeholders including those traditionally without power and voice, the broad scope of social objectives being addressed and the rigour with which they must be measured for effectiveness. The requirement for assessing and then communicating results is mandatory in this field. In an effort to serve the entire spectrum of people in need – not simply those who can afford design services – it is essential to document results. Through design-based research students will critically analyse and evaluate a range of global issues, their constraints and their respective design strategies. Using design-based solutions, students will then formulate a guide that becomes a framework for others to build from, a foundation for future design approaches to global issues with the ultimate goal of empowering communities.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) analyse complex, real world problems through research and by synthesizing multiple sources of information; (2) critically evaluate the social impact of design solutions; (3) evaluate collaborative design tactics which bring a broad coalition of stakeholders and embed social impact objectives into the design process; (4) develop alternative design frameworks for complex, real-world problems through consideration of relevant factors that affect the design response to global issues; and (5) communicate the potential of design as an agent for social change.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) case study and (2) proposed framework guidelines. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Lara Pinho
- Unit rules
- Advisable prior study
- Any Masters level design studio unit.
- Contact hours
- 3 hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.