Material Culture I

Alison Jane Clarke
Design, Design History and Theory
2020W, scientific seminar (SEW), 4.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S02856

Description

Design For All: Exploring Accessibility in 20th-century European and American Design  

*Until further notice this course will be conducted online. Attendance at the first meeting is required. Only registered students may attend the course meetings. 

Scientific seminar (SEW), 4.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours,  2020W 

Faculty:  

Prof. Dr. Alison J. Clarke MA (RCA)

Michelle Jackson-Beckett, MA, MPhil 

This seminar explores twentieth-century and contemporary themes and discourses around accessibility and design for a range of physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities. Students will engage with themes of access, agency, and activism through a variety of sources, including news media, film, literature, fashion, product design, graphic and UX design, architecture and urban planning. We will examine how popular culture, changing sociopolitical landscapes, universal design and human factors have affected how accessible design has been perceived and consumed over time. Case study examples range from the idealism of Herbert Bayer’s Universal typeface at the Bauhaus, Ergonomi Design Gruppen’s products for limited mobility users, the architecture of Gallaudet University, the first institution of higher education for the deaf and hard of hearing, and the Open Style Lab for adaptive clothing design in New York City.  Students will debate the potential merits and disadvantages for end-users in universal design processes, as well as consider the first ever European Standard “Design for All” approach to products, goods, and services introduced in 2019.  

Examination Modalities

(1) A seminar grade requires regular, punctual attendance (5 out of 6 sessions, plus 1 tutorial) and completion of the assignments.  

(2) 20% of grade: active oral participation in each session in the form of well-considered comments, questions, and critique of the session readings and content.  

(3) 30% of the grade: 5 short written responses of 300-350 words on selected seminar readings. Must be typed and printed prior to each session, submitted at the end of each session for credit.  

(4) 50% of the grade: Oral presentation with accompanying reference images and/or audiovisual material. Submission of typed presentation notes and visuals for credit. Presentation topic must be requested by email to the instructor within one week after the first session. 

 

 

Assessable Tasks: 

  • The instructor will evaluate written deliverables. Successful work will have clear and concise writing, correct grammar, accurate information, established academic standards in citations and selection of source material, and express and support a thesis. 
  • Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated.
  • In-class presentations will be expected to be clear, concise, well organised expressions of critical thought regarding session themes.  
  • Final project will be evaluated on the degree to which students incorporate relevant readings and topics covered in class. 
  • Students will be expected to actively contribute their verbal and/or written feedback during each session. 

Comments

Learning Outcomes 

Students will learn:  

  • How formal, functional and ethical criteria have stemmed from historical contexts and are embodied in objects and material culture 
  • How historical and contemporary contexts influence the nature of design, the built environment, and accessibility   
  • How theory and modes of consumption have affected contemporary design practices and industries with regard to accessibility  
  • To further hone critical research and reading skills by engaging multiple perspectives and developing a historically referenced point of view to expand the student's design practice   

Dates

08 October 2020, 10:00–12:30 Course meets via Zoom (invitation sent to registered students only)
22 October 2020, 10:00–12:30 Course meets via Zoom (invitation sent to registered students only)
05 November 2020, 10:00–12:30 Course meets via Zoom (invitation sent to registered students only)
19 November 2020, 10:00–12:30 Course meets via Zoom (invitation sent to registered students only)
03 December 2020, 10:00–12:30 Course meets via Zoom (invitation sent to registered students only)
14 January 2021, 10:00–12:30 Course meets via Zoom (invitation sent to registered students only)

Course Enrolment

From 18 September 2020, 00:00 to 30 September 2020, 00:00
Via online registration

co-registration: possible

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Art Education: subject tex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: aus Geschichte und Theorie der Architektur bzw. des Design (wahlweise)

Art Education: subject tex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis

Art Education: subject tex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis

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Art Education: subject tex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften

Art Education: subject tex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis

Art Education: subject dae (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: aus Geschichte und Theorie der Architektur bzw. des Design (wahlweise)

Art Education: subject dae (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis

Art Education: subject dae (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis

Art Education: subject dae (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE

Art Education: subject dae (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften

Art Education: subject dae (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis

Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: aus Geschichte und Theorie der Architektur bzw. des Design (wahlweise)

Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis

Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis

Art Education: subject dex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE

Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften

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Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives: Electives Area 2

Design: Specialisation in Graphic Design (2. Section): Theoretical Basics: Theory and History of Design

Design: Specialisation in Graphics and Advertising (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Theory and History of Design

Industrial Design (2. Section): Design in Context: Theory and Design History

Design: Specialisation in Fashion Design (2. Section): Fashion in Context: Theory and History of Design

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subject Fine Arts / Art and Communication Practices (2. Section): Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften: Aus Kunst und Kulturwissenschaften, (davon min. 4 SSt SE) (2.5 ECTS)

subject Handicrafts / Design, Architecture and Environment (2. Section): Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften: Aus Geschichte und Theorie des Design (2.0 ECTS)

subject Textile Design / Textiles - Art, Design, Styles (2. Section): Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften: Aus Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (mind. 4 SSt SE) (2.5 ECTS)

Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Media Theory,Art&Knowledge Transfer,Th. of Architecture,Th. and Hist. of Design

Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice

Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities

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Fine Arts: Specialisation in Graphics (2. Section): Geisteswissenschaften: Geisteswissenschaftliche LV nach Wahl (2.0 ECTS)

Individual courses: possible