Course syllabus - Information Design and Complexity

Objectives

The overall aim of the course is to deepen the knowledge of the role information design can play in complex information and communication situations and contexts. The course also aims to provide an orientation of the impact of digital technology on the design of information, as well as its impact on the availability, understanding and use of information from a user perspective. 

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to:  
1. Use methods for analysis of information situation and context, users and target group, as well as the relationship between different media and modalities.  
2. reflect on and argue for digital technology's possible impact on the creation and use of information artifacts and systems.  
3. argue for ethical positions when designing information, for example sustainability, gender equality and accessibility aspects.  
4. formulate and justify well-founded information design problems. 

Course content

The course provides an in-depth knowledge of information design as a subject and its role in complex contexts and situations. In the course, students analyze and work, in theory and practice, with central concepts, theories and methods used in information design. This includes various design methods such as prototyping and user involvement, as well as other design methods that have sprung from ethnographic methods. Challenges in information design are discussed and analyzed through practical and theoretical examples. The course also addresses how information design can help facilitate the understanding and use of complex systems. The student works in to analyze and process information artifacts in different media and modalities and how these interact based on the conditions of different individuals and groups.

Specific requirements

A completed Bachelor´s degree, equivalent to 140 credits. In addition, Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English A/English 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish B/Swedish 3. 

Examination

Seminar (SEM1), 4,5 credits, examines learning outcomes 1-4, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G) 
Written assignment (INL1), 3 credits, examines learning outcomes 1-4, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Two-grade scale