PENG9540 Universal Design in Multidisciplinary contexts Course description

General admission requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Behavior Analysis.

Bachelor's degree in computer science related subjects, and master's degree course in research methods.

Students will be able to:

• describe the scope and ambition of the complexity research field, and point to practical applications
• describe and discuss the essential concepts and research methods in complexity research. (Concepts include emergence, complexity, networks, self-organization, pattern formation, evolution and co-evolution, adaptation, chaos, cooperation, competition, interdependence, scaling, dynamic response, information and function. Methods include statistical methods, agent-based modeling, system dynamics and cultural analysis.)
• place their own research project in a complexity context

The course consists of 1 introductory meeting, and 6 - 12 seminars of 4 x 45 minutes, and time for discussion and a final seminar (4 x 45 minutes). The introductory meeting takes place 2 weeks ahead of the main part of the course. At this meeting, the structure, content and purpose of the course are presented. The students are asked to give short presentations of their Ph.D. projects, and describe how the course is relevant to it. The main purpose of this early session is to help the students to start systematic work with the course readings.

The seminars target central themes from the course readings for discussion and reflection. A high level of student participation is expected. During this time, students will produce several reaction papers (3 - 4 pages double spaced), and a final presentation of one central theme from the course. Themes are assigned by the lecturers. The final seminar consists of a discussion of the presentations, which are distributed in advance as papers not to exceed 10 pages double spaced, and introduced by each candidate in a short (3 minute) session. Course teachers mediate the discussions.

The course will give the students insights into the forefront of knowledge about universal design and into developing accessible systems. Specific topics that will be taught include, but are not limited to, national and international legislation, regulations, recommendations and standards related to universal design of accessible computer systems, inclusion of vulnerable groups, and communication using inclusive and non-discriminatory language.

Portfolio.

Portfolio requirements: 4 reaction papers

All

Pass / Fail

Internal

Complexity; emergence; self-organization; pattern formation; selection, adaptation and evolution; co-operation and competition; game theory; co-evolving systems; systems dynamics; cultural analysis - ethics, methodical issues - ethics

One internal examiner.