What do products mean for people? How does technology relate to culture? What does our relationship with technology and products tell us about society?
This seminar series introduces notions of design theory and material culture studies to investigate technological products, materials, processes, and cultures. In each class, we will interpret the relations between people and things through key historical frameworks: from materialist and structuralist views to ANT theory, the social life of things and new-Materialism. The transdisciplinary and nonhierarchical study of both high and low technologies aims to spark lively discussions using relevant, practical and accessible examples.
The post-Anthropocene calls for a remodeling of the role of designers and engineers as makers of concepts as well as makers of stuff. The focus on short lectures, seminar discussions and extensive digital interaction is designed to facilitate the assimilation of theories and their application to practical solutions and exercises. Students will widen design/engineering perspectives narrowly focused on style, function and/or performance, and familiarize themselves with key concepts from design theory, craft studies, anthropology of technology and Western philosophy.
✔ Applicable | How instructors' work experience benefits the course |
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The lecturer discusses the relationship between manufacturing, society and citizens drawing on his wealth of experience as an engineering consultant not only as a researcher. |
design, material culture, technology, craft, critical thinking, speculation
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
The sessions combine seminars + interactive workshops to deliver experiential learning. Participants will form small groups to work on tasks and contribute to the discussions.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
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Class 1 | The transformation of Nature into products | Exercises on Miro |
Class 2 | Products as representation | Short essay and/or photo |
Class 3 | Psychological encounters between people and products | Exercises on Miro |
Class 4 | Products as extension of people | Exercises on Miro |
Class 5 | Life of things | Short essay and/or photo |
Class 6 | Rediscovering social–ecological systems | Short essay and/or photo |
Class 7 | Towards new materialisms | Assignment on Miro |
None
None
Attendance, class contribution, assignment
None, English
salani.g.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp TSE, School of Environment and Society
13:30-17:00
Monday 9-10 slot