Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

Workplaces are examples of designed spaces that reflect social change and transition. This unit will prepare you to conceptualise and observe these spaces in terms of their implications for social change and their relationship to everyday practice. The unit will provide conceptual, analytical and observational tools that enable critical reflection on contemporary changes in these spaces. You will then be guided through the application of these analytical tools in a project that demonstrates an understanding of the link between innovation in design and the study of environments in transition.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to expose you to processes of analysis and inquiry in order to draw new design insights from the study of spaces in transition. You will be provided with essential conceptual, analytical and observational tools that will equip you to ¿see¿ transition and change and their social consequences in three case studies of designed spaces. The case studies are selected to highlight social and cross-cultural aspects of changing environments with reference to local/global and historical perspectives. Thus, this unit provides a unique opportunity to explore particular settings in order to better understand and challenge the reproduction of standardised environments.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an ability to deconstruct the built environment in a local and global context through application of key theoretical perspectives on socio-cultural aspects of changing case study environments.
   
2. Engage, orally, graphically and in writing, in informed, critical debate and exploration of social, and cross cultural issues which influence historical and contemporary design production, and the implications of design for everyday culture and practice.
   
3. Enhance the capacity to draw implications for innovative design practice from the study of environments in transition.

Content

The unit is arranged into two main themes:

• Theory and case studies of change in work and space: from the machine age to postbureaucratic organisations
  
• Exercising design strategy in contemporary transitions: contemporary case studies of work/space change

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode
Formal and Participative Lectures: 1hr per week
Tutorials: 2 hrs per week

Learning Approaches

• Lectures
  
• Participative observation
  
• Directed Reading
  
• Self-directed Learning
  
• Seminars
  
• Site Visits>
  
• Guest Lecturers
  
• Presentation

Assessment

Overview of Assessment
Assessment will be based on two projects, undertaken throughout the semester. Each will be allocated a weighting according to project and unit content.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.Studio/workshop sessions will offer an opportunity for formative feedback. You will be provided with opportunities for feedback and discussion through these exercises incorporating identification of strengths and weaknesses and suggestions for further consideration.

Assessment will be criterion-based. Criteria will be circulated as part of the project information.

Assessment name: workbook
Description: Documentation of key concepts, reflections, and analysis of work and space from the machine age to postbureacucratic organisations
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-semester

Assessment name: Critical Design Article
Description: Application of concepts and analyses from the first part of the semester to key issues in contemporary workspace transitions. The poster will depcit extant designs and concepts and produce a reconceptualisation of these designs based on insights from the lectures, tutorials, films and readings
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

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

A range of resource materials appropriate for the specific projects including a list of readings and texts will be recommended. You will be encouraged to reference materials from a range of sources from which you can draw conceptual, procedural, and substantive content to inform your project work.

Recommended readings will be made available from Week One of Semester One and throughout the Semester Program.

Additional Costs
Costs for this unit relate to the normal costs incurred in the generation and presentation of a design project. Additional costs may be incurred for visits to site.

Risk assessment statement

You will undertake lectures and/or 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.You will be required to undertake lecturer-led and self-directed visits to sites. A risk assessment for such trips has identified as low impact risk. You will be required to obey all safety guidelines and directions while attending field trips. If you feel you are at risk you should notify staff.

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: 05-Oct-2012