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- School of Science
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School of Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Mechanical Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Systems and Control Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Information and Communications Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Industrial Engineering and Economics
- Common courses
- School of Materials and Chemical Technology
- School of Computing
- School of Life Science and Technology
- School of Environment and Society
- 工学院，物質理工学院，環境・社会理工学院共通科目
- Liberal arts and basic science courses
- First-Year Courses
- School of Science
- School of Engineering
- School of Materials and Chemical Technology
- School of Computing
- School of Life Science and Technology
-
School of Environment and Society
- Department of Architecture and Building Engineering
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
- Department of Social and Human Sciences
- Department of Innovation Science
- Graduate major in Technology and Innovation Management
- Common courses
- Liberal arts and basic science courses
- Academic unit or major
- Breadth courses
- Instructor(s)
- Nohara Kayoko Salani Giorgio
- Class Format
- Exercise
- Media-enhanced courses
- Day/Period(Room No.)
- Intensive 9-10()
- Group
- -
- Course number
- LAW.X423
- Credits
- 1
- Academic year
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- 2021/11/5
- Lecture notes updated
- -
- Language used
- English
- Access Index
-
Course description and aims
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.
Student learning outcomes
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.
Course taught by instructors with work experience
| ✔ Applicable | How instructors' work experience benefits the course |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Keywords
design, material culture, technology, craft, critical thinking, speculation
Competencies that will be developed
| Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Class flow
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
| Course schedule | Required learning | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
None
Assessment criteria and methods
Attendance, class contribution, assignment
Related courses
- LAW.X316 ： Approaches to Creative Expression
- LAW.X314 ： Editorial Designing in the Media
- LAW.X315 ： Science & Engineering Design for Global Talents -Overseas Programme
- LAW.X401 ： Science Communication for Global Talents - Overseas Programme
- TSE.C317 ： Methodology of Transdisciplinary Research:theory and practice
Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)
None, English
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from "[at]" to "@"(half-width character).
salani.g.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp TSE, School of Environment and Society
Office hours
13:30-17:00
Other
Monday 9-10 slot
