ID 421

Course Code & Number

ID 421

Course Title

Theory of Design

Level

BS

Credit Hours/ ECTS Credits

(3+0+0) 3 TEDU Credits, 5 ECTS Credits

Year of Study:

Senior

Type of Course:

Elective

Mode of Delivery:

Face-to-face

Language of Instruction:

English

Pre-requisite / Co-requisite::

Catalog Description

The definition of theory; the meaning and significance of theory within the history of science and philosophy; the function of theory; epistemology and ontology; the foundations of design thinking; the emergence of design theory and design methods; overview of theories and theoretical frameworks imported from different disciplines; designerly ways of knowing; ethics in design; contemporary theoretical work produced within the disciplinary boundaries of design.

Course Objectives

The aim of the course is to encourage students to reflect on designed products, design discourse, and the activity of designing from a theoretically informed viewpoint. A further aim is to enhance students’ intellectual grasp of the theoretical underpinnings of a particular design action and develop h/er sense of theorization from observed phenomena. A third objective is to make them develop skills in assessing the strength and weakness of particular theoretical frameworks and critically envision their practical outcomes in real-life design problems and contexts. 

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Reconstruct the theoretical structure of a design argument.
2. Articulate a theoretical standpoint by observing a particular design action
3. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical frameworks in explaining design practice.
4. Analyze design arguments from an ethical point of view.
5. Employ a prominent theory in explaining a design problem.