Course detail

Design as a Critical Practice

FaVU-DKPRAcad. year: 2020/2021

The idea of the course is based on the practice of teachers who, within one team, deal with broad-spectrum research and the possibilities of intervention in specific localities in Slovakia and Brno, especially in the field of urbanism and housing policy. They seek a purposeful mapping of localities in their broad context of relationships which later becomes fundament of possible development scenarios and the subsequent design and facilitation of steps leading to their fulfilment.
An interdisciplinary methodology is needed for this purpose, which combines design, social science and forensic approaches. Teachers have a background in fine arts, design, architecture, and related theories, as well as in social anthropology. Consultants from the field of law and social geography will also be invited to contribute. Students will get introduced to this methodology and will be practically involved, especially in the forensic part of the research. Through data collection and analysis, they will identify opportunities, links and problems in given localities. The obtained data will serve not only to improve the study competencies of course participants, but also the life situation of the actors in selected localities, although it would only be a theoretical improvement at the level of proposals. The course combines theoretical and practical components in design, as well as the reflexivity of design and design practice and its specific tools (e.g. gamification).
Key areas we will touch upon in the course:
- current theories and methodologies of social science and design research
- research ethics
- forensic practice (e.g. Forensic Architecture)
- design theory (HCD, critical and speculative design)
- design practice (proposal of possible development scenarios in the localities in question and steps towards their fulfilment)
- spatial analysis and visualization of "big" data (work in the geographic information system ArcGIS)
- field research / intervention
The increased number of credits for this course (4) corresponds to the time required for the successful completion of the course (field practice, homework, seminars).

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. MgA. Mikuláš Macháček

Department

Faculty of Fine Arts (FaVU)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

After completing the course, students should be able to think critically about design theory and practice, they should also be acquainted with forensic practice and critically think about the nuances of forensic data collection in the field. They should be acquainted with the topics and approaches of design and forensic methodology to the extent that they would then be able to apply them in their own future practice.

Prerequisites

Interest in field research and design and forensic practice.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Necessary theoretical knowledge will be passed on in the form of lectures, developed by seminars. Individual and group work in the field and in the creation of the final output will be accompanied by field practice and guided by consultations.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The following conditions are set for granting the credit: attendance (85%).
The following conditions are set for passing the exam: presentation of the final project.
In addition to the formal assessment, students will also be given a verbal formative assessment, on which greater emphasis will be placed.

Course curriculum

1. Introduction to the theory and methods of interdisciplinary research.
2. Introduction to the field and research ethics. Division into groups.
3. Intensive entry into the field, discussion of research topics in relation to current design methodologies, forensic practice, and qualitative methods.
4. Discussion leading to proposals for final projects. Analysis of feasibility, relevance, need, breakdown of design calls into partial steps. Division of competencies.
5. Implementation of partial steps in the field. Reflections and consultations on the implementation with the teachers of the subject and with classmates.
6. Implementation of partial steps in the field. Reflections and consultations on the implementation with the teachers of the subject and with classmates.
7. Final presentation of implementation processes.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the interuniversity course (FaVU VUT in cooperation with KISK FF MU) is to introduce students to the nature and ethics of qualitative research and field practice, methods of forensic mapping and contemporary design theory, which they will be able to try on model cases in practice in specific localities in Brno.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Teaching takes place in a) premises of the Institute of Forensic Interdisciplinary Research, Social Emancipation Design and Architecture (room No. 333, U2, FaVU) b) selected (residential) localities in Brno. The minimum participation is 85%.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites