MAPD5210 Visualizing Complexity Course description

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge of the chosen research area with a clear reference to the field of design
• manages using relevant scientific theory and design methodology
• has advanced knowledge to answer research questions using relevant research methods, literature, theory and practice

Skills

The student

• can facilitate and lead activities in a design process
• can independently plan and carry out a comprehensive independent research project in term of a master's project
• can collect, analyze and critically evaluate various sources of information
• is capable to justify and reflect decisions made during the master's project adequately and competently
• is capable of demonstrate well-argued and documented findings and results using text, visualizations and products
• can argue and explain academic positions within the chosen field of study

General competence

The student

• can contribute to new thinking and development of new design knowledge and practice
• is capable to relate their design process to professional research ethics and sustainable value creation
• is capable of critical reflect upon one`s own process and role in relation to achievement
• is capable of collaborate and involve resource persons in
• demonstrate the ability to implement a chosen specialization as an additional approach or focus within the master´s project

The following work requirements must be approved in order to be qualified for the exam:

• approved project description mid-January
• one reflection paper
• plan for a public presentation of the master thesis, alt: set up a communication strategy for publication of the project

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved advanced level in the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student will attain knowledge within

• general systems theory
• cybernetic and communication theory
• system dynamics and analysis
• game dynamics in systems
• methods for data gathering in complex settings (visual interviewing, design probes and play probes, co-design, among others)

Skills

The student is capable of

• describing exceedingly complex contexts through systems thinking as basis for design
• creating GIGA-maps on the basis of complex settings through data gathering, analysis, cooperation and creative processes
• using GIGA-maps as conversation tools
• utilizing methods for data gathering, sharing, cooperation, analysis, and documentation: visual interviewing, design probing, play probing, participatory design, co-design, feministic design, auto-ethnographical research, mapping workshops, GIGA-mapping workshops, and analysis: by theoretical overlay, of relations, patterns, causality, stakeholder, systems dynamics, and concept mapping, on the basis of visualizations data
• documenting all findings in common visualizations and reducing data into graphs that communicate essences of discussions, findings, tendencies, and so forth
• creating services and products on the basis of the above mentioned skills

General competence

The student attain advanced competence in systems oriented design by:

• developing the ability to understand and handle complexity and systems thinking in design processes in teams and complex organizations, and in products, systems, and service design projects
• holistic thinking and understanding of design projects in relation to sustainability, environmental and social megatrends, general societal contexts and dynamics, culture, politics, market and technological contexts
• communication and cooperation by visualization, GIGA-mapping, and other types of mapping
• all which contribute to the capability to play a lead and cooperative role in design related projects in public and business contexts
• the ability to implement a chosen specialization as an additional approach or focus within this specific course context

The most important teaching and learning methods for this course are: workshops, group work, lectures, discussions (conversation theory based), studio courses and tutoring

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• One note of reflection. Max 1000 words.
• One group assignment and peer-group presentation. Various number of depending on collaborating partners etc.
• workshop documentation

Individual or group portfolio examination. The portfolio consists of

• One gigamap / systems mapping.

The examination result can be appealed.

One internal and one external examiner.

• project execution based on practice and theory
• physical and visual communication
• academic writing skills
• design methods
• data collecting methods
• design of a product

Two internal examiners. External examiners are used regularly.