MAPDPRA Work Practice Course description

In this course, students acquire realistic and relevant learning for working life. The students develop and gain knowledge and skills through practical design-related work in a professional environment alongside professional practitioners. Relevant theory is used to process practical experiences in a way that create meaning and provides new work-relevant knowledge.

In this course, students will carry out work practice within a design business, public institution or organization over a period of approximately twelve weeks. During this time, students will take part in task, projects etc. together with professionals who either apply design or design themselves. The experiences the students gains through their work training will be shared and processed through the course assignments and the exam in the course.

Supervision will come from both the staff working at the place of practical training as well as the university teaching staff.

Language of instruction: English

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

• understands possibilities and roles within a business, public or private institution, or organisation
• a good understanding about opportunities, requirements and expectations in working life

Skills

The student

• can communicate and collaborate actively and purposefully with professionals on a design task, project etc.
• can perform independent work tasks within applicable professional framework and given deadlines
• can question ones own and others' practice and contribute to promote discussions with professionals
• can manage to critically reflect on experiences gained from the work training in relation to relevant existing research or theory

General competence

The student

• understands how to engage, use and develop their competence within a professional work environment
• has developed constructive attitudes towards responsibility and accountability in working life
• can account for and evaluate one`s own effort and role in a work practice

The most important teaching and learning methods for this course are project work in teams, independent work, reflective practice, seminars, supervision (individual and in groups), and presentations.

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

• Two written and visual reflection note
• participation in one group supervision session
• participation in digital midway presentation

Individual written and visual assignment consisting of documentation, reflection and evaluation regarding achieved work training experiences.

The assignment should be between 2500 and 3500 words and include images which are approved to be used and shared by the work placement.

The exam should be written in English or after discussion with course leader in Norwegian.

The examination result can be appealed.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are followed.

Pass/fail.

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.