Course Number: IAT 430-3
Course Title: Design Research
Credit Hours: 3 (lecture-tutorial-lab)
Course
Description
This course explores how the practice of design
helps to explain the world around us or how we can find ways to
improve the way we design. This course introduces the importance of
design research in the domains of defining the field of design,
design education and design practice. Students will review
case-stories of research problems in design, explore research methods
relevant to design, and explore research topics and questions.
Students will be expected to explore, complete and communicate their
own research investigation into a design-related research problem.
Prerequisite: Upper Division Standing
Recommended: None.
Corequisite: None.
Special Instructions: None.
Course(s) to be dropped if this course is approved:
None.
Will this be a required or elective course in the curriculum; probable enrolment when offered?
This is a core required course for the Interaction Design Stream. It is an elective for other streams. The expected registration would be 50 students per year.
Indicate Semester and Year this course would be first offered and planned frequency of offering thereafter.
First offering: 2005-3 and thereafter
Which of your present CFL faculty have the expertise to offer this course? Will the course be taught by sessional or limited term faculty?
SIAT Faculty
Are there any proposed student fees associated with this course other than tuition fees?
No.
Is this course considered a `duplicate' of any current or prior course under the University's duplicate course policy? Specify, as appropriate.
No.
Note: Senate has approved (S.93-11) that no new course should be approved by Senate until funding has been committed for necessary library materials. Each new course proposal must be accompanied by a library report and, if appropriate, confirmation that funding arrangements have been addressed.
Provide details on how existing instructional resources will be redistributed to accommodate this new course. For instance, will another course be eliminated or will the frequency of offering of other courses be reduced; are there changes in pedagogical style or class sizes that allow for this additional course offering.
This is a new course.
New course materials will be required.
Does the course require specialized space or equipment not readily available in the department or university, and if so, how will these resources be provided?
No.
Does this course require computing resources (e.g. hardware, software, network wiring, use of computer laboratory space) and if so, describe how they will be provided.
This course will require access to standard SIAT computer-equipped teaching lab with appropriate software applications.
Develop an understanding of design research as it relates to the epistemology of design, design education and design practice
Learn the current research topics in Interaction Design
Learn research methods appropriate to design research.
Learn how to select a research topic
Learn how to plan a research investigation
Learn how to communicate results of the research
Demonstrate ability to explore, complete and communicate their own research investigation into a design-related research problem
This course explores how the practice of design helps to explain the world around us or how we can find ways to improve the way we design. This course introduces the importance of design research in the domains of defining the field of design, design education and design practice. This course is for students who may continue in graduate studies in design or require the skills to research in an industry context in design. Students will review case-stories of research problems in design, explore research methods relevant to design, and explore research topics and questions. Students will be expected to explore, complete and communicate their own research investigation into a design-related research problem.
Lectures and readings complement the research assignments. Students will be expected to write a research paper.
Grading
Minor Assignments 40%
Major Project 40%
Participation 20%
Text,
Resources & Materials:
Course Pak
Note: These outlines are drafts and are subject to change. Official textbook list should be consulted