Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Designers within any discipline should possess the ability to appreciate the history of design, across all its disciplines or forms. This involves appreciation of developments in design history and theory from multiple perspectives. Learning from the past enriches and informs future design. A breadth of design history knowledge increases the creative opportunities and problem solutions that can be applied in design studios.

Aims

The aims of this unit centre on introducing you to the context in which design is conducted. According to this aim broad historical, theoretical, and material contexts of design and the design disciplines from earliest times to the late 20th century are introduced. The unit aims to foster understanding of historical precedent as the common basis of knowledge upon which subsequent units of history, theory and design can be built. Through studying this unit you will be able to locate design within a framework of various interconnected cultural, societal and historical contexts thus developing your understanding of yourself as a participant in the rich cultural traditions of designing and making places and things for human use.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit you should be able to demonstrate the following specific capabilities at beginning level:

1. an understanding of the relevance and purpose of the study of history to the practice of design, in particular architecture, industrial design, interior design and landscape architecture


2. a fundamental knowledge of design history facts, including names of significant designers/ artists/ architects, major movements/ styles, key historical periods, and other relevant terminology


3. an understanding of the linkages among ideas, theories, events, social values and customs, art, aesthetics, technology, materials, the built world and the natural environment, and their influences on design change in history


4. an ability to critically analyse historical sources and develop well-considered, logical, written responses and argument concerning design

Content

Topics covered in this unit include:

• What is history: historiography, different types of history and historians, varying viewpoints


• When is history: marking time with historical eras and periods, using chronologies and timelines, modern and contemporary


• Why change happens: Influences on design (ideas behind ideas) including cultural mores and customs, philosophy, spirituality/religions, politics, economics, science & technology


• How is history described: stylistic categories, movements, typologies, innovation, homage, copy


• Who in history: people matter - designers users, makers, keepers, etc.; acknowledging individuals and groups of influence


• Where is history: place matters - different geographical influences, nature, climates, materials, cultures, vernacular and craft design


• Revealing selected influential designers - from four disciplines - architecture, industrial design, interior design and landscape architecture - and how design history is all interrelated.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning takes place through three forms of structured activity: lectures, tutorials, and online.

Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 3
Lecture: 2
Tutorial: 1

Learning Approaches:

Teaching and learning takes place through three forms of structured activity: lectures, tutorials, and online. Learning approaches will cover the following:

• Problem-based learning


• Self-learning


• Individual learning


• Experiential learning


• Reflective Presentation

Assessment

The assessment in this unit is based on an exam to assess your understanding of the principal developments in design history relative to unit content, an essay that subjects a selected artefact to formal and contextual analysis, and structured tutorial activities compiled in a history journal that explore and debate aspects of the unit content.Formative assessment will be provided weekly through active tutorial sessions and detailed assessment annotations to certain assessment projects.

Assessment name: Essay
Description: A short prose response to a set question using reasoned argument based on critical research methods.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Journal
Description: An evaluation of your own learning based on tutorial activities and readings. Submission - throughout semester and Final Package at end of semester.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout & End

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: A multiple choice test drawn from material presented in lectures and readings throughout the semester.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

http://blackboard.qut.edu.au
(The comprehensive unit online resource, including unit notes)

Set Texts:

Conway, Hazel (Editor) (1987). Design History: A Students' Handbook. London: Routledge

Roth, Leland (2006). Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, and Meaning. Second ed. Boulder, CO: Westview Press

Cite/Write [also available from QUT library website]

References (other recommended reading):

Wallace, Andrew; Schirato, Tony & Bright, Phillippa (1999). Beginning University: Thinking, Researching and Writing for Success. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

Bhaskaran Lakshmi (2005). Designs of the Times: Using Movements and Styles for Contemporary Design. London: RotoVision.

Blakemore, Robbie G. (c1997). History of interior design and furniture: from ancient Egypt to nineteenth-century Europe. New York: Wiley.

Clark, Paul and Freeman, Julian (2000). Design: A Crash Course. London: Simon & Schuster.

Fleming, John, Honour, Hugh and Pevsner, Nikolaus (1999). Penguin Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 5th edition. London: Penguin.

Forty, Adrian (1995). Objects of Desire. London: Thames and Hudson.

French, Jackie (1998). Architecture: A Crash Course. London: Simon & Schuster.

Heskett, John. (1980) Industrial Design. London: Thames and Hudson.

Jellicoe, G and Jellicoe, S (1995). Landscape of Man. London: Thames & Hudson.

Massey, A. (1990). Interior Design of the 20th Century. London: Thames and Hudson

Nicolin, Pierluigi and Repishti, Francesco (2003). Dictionary of Today's Landscape Designers. Milan: Skira.

Pile, John (2005). A History of Interior Design, second edition. New York: John Wiley.

Rogers, Elizabeth Barlow (2001). Landscape Design: a history of cities, parks and gardens. New York: Harry N. Abrams.

Sparke, Penny (1987). Design in Context. London: Bloomsbury.

Risk assessment statement

In this unit you will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 31-May-2012