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Unit of study_

DESN3000: Co-Design and Participatory Approaches

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is an introduction to human-centred co-design and participatory methods, specifically in the context of future challenges of the type you will face in various domains of product, service, or technology design. You will learn co-design principles and practices through evaluating current cases, processes and systems. Through the analysis of real-world case studies, you will apply co-design and participatory methods to address the complex issues facing society. The unit will also introduce you to how design-led strategies can support human experiences or be used to improve technologies and processes. You will develop your skills by using design exercises to demonstrate the strategic and practical applications of such methods and approaches.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DESN3000
Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
DESN1000 and (DECO1006 or DECO2016)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Naseem Ahmadpour, naseem.ahmadpour@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation A1. Critique and discussion on assigned articles
Participate in critique and deep discussion of assigned articles in class.
10% Week -03
Due date: 07 Mar 2024 at 11:00

Closing date: 07 Mar 2024
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Presentation A2. Pop-up engagement poster exhibition
As a group, present a poster capturing the pop-up engagement
20% Week -05
Due date: 21 Mar 2024 at 11:00

Closing date: 21 Mar 2024
5-8 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6
Presentation A3. Workshop and design proposal presentation
Major group presentation in class
35% Week 10
Due date: 02 May 2024 at 10:00

Closing date: 02 May 2024
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment A4. Ethical assessment report
Written report on an ethical assessment performed on the design
35% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 Jun 2024
Written report, up to 7 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO5

Assessment summary

Assessment Item

Work Type

Length

Weight

A1:

Critique and discussion on assigned articles

Individual

Submit on Canvas, discuss in class

10%

A2:

Pop-up engagement poster exhibition

Group

Submit on Canvas, present in class

5-8 min

20%

A3:

Workshop and design proposal presentation

Group

In-class presentation,

10min

35%

A4:

ethical assessment report

Individual

Written report,

Up to 7 pages

35%

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Penalties for late submissions: 5% penalty per calendar day up to and including the due date

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Masterclass on co-design: Part 1 Seminar (1 hr) LO1
Workshop Masterclass on co-design: Part 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Masterclass on co-design: Part 2 Seminar (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Workshop Masterclass on co-design: Part 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 03 Masterclass on co-design: Part 2 Seminar (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Workshop Masterclass on engagement: Part 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 04 Masterclass on engagement: Part 2 Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Workshop Masterclass on engagement: Part 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Masterclass on exploration: Part 1 Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Workshop Masterclass on exploration: Part 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO6
Week 06 Masterclass on exploration: Part 2 Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Workshop Masterclass on exploration: Part 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Masterclass on data analysis: Part 1 Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Workshop Masterclass on data analysis: Part 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Masterclass on data analysis: Part 2 Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5
Workshop Masterclass on data analysis: Part 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 09 Masterclass on Ethics: Part 1 Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
workshop Masterclass on Ethics: Part 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Masterclass on Ethics: Part 2 Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Workshop Masterclass on Ethics: Part 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Masterclass on co-evaluation: Part 1 Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Workshop Masterclass on co-evaluation: Part 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Masterclass on co-evaluation: Part 2 Seminar (1 hr) LO3
Workshop Masterclass on co-evaluation: Part 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Panel of experts Workshop (1 hr) LO6
Feedback session Workshop (2 hr) LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate expertise in assessing the requirements of a design problem
  • LO2. understand methods for co-discovery and co-creation of design concepts in the different stages of a co-design project
  • LO3. understand how to co-create solutions that respond to stakeholder assets, values and needs
  • LO4. demonstrate proficiency in prototyping designs that address complex problems through innovative ideas
  • LO5. evaluate the performance and experience of a design solution
  • LO6. work effectively in teams and in an interdisciplinary context.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Reduced workload

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.