Design Culture and Society (11044.1)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
Home
/
Find your course
/
Design Culture and Society
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
Online self-paced
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Arts And Design
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Design And The Built Environment Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
In this unit students will recognise design as an integral part of culture and society through recent history, contemporary practice and futuristic visions. Through analysis of case studies from the most critical and cutting edge designs and technologies of different disciplines in crucial periods in time (since the industrial revolution to our days) we will discuss how design professions and practice have evolved to a contemporary multidisciplinary practice. Key examples of designs and designers in different media (including, but not limited to books, magazines, films and websites) will also be analysed and contextualised. The unit will explore past, present and futuristic roles of design in society, by understanding movements, trends and lifestyles through analysis and discussion of influences and relationships between design 'products' (including graphics, objects, environments and digital outcomes, among others) and different people within multiple cultures and contexts.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify key periods in the history of design;
2. Compare and contrast design works from notable designers in their field; and
3. Articulate past, present and future roles of design in society in relation to culture.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

9483 Design History.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Dr Ben Ennis-Butler
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Online self-paced Dr Ben Ennis-Butler
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Online self-paced Dr Ben Ennis-Butler
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Ben Ennis-Butler
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Recommended readings and other materials will be available on Canvas. 

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Use of AI in This Unit

The use of AI tools, such as large language models or specialised AI assistants, is permitted in this unit as part of modern academic and professional practice. However, students must adhere to the following guidelines:
 
  1. Transparency: All use of AI tools must be clearly documented in your submissions. This includes specifying which parts of your work were created with AI assistance and which tools were used.
  2. Critical Evaluation: Students are required to critically evaluate any AI-generated content. This means carefully reviewing, fact-checking, and potentially modifying AI suggestions to ensure they meet the assignment requirements, adhere to academic standards, and align with course materials.
  3. Original Contribution: While AI can be used for idea generation, research assistance, or problem-solving support, the overall analysis, argumentation, and conclusions of your work must demonstrate your own understanding, critical thinking, and decision-making.
  4. Learning Outcomes: Remember that the unit's learning outcomes focus on your ability to understand, apply, and evaluate key concepts in this field. Your work should clearly demonstrate these skills, regardless of AI usage.
 
The ability to effectively leverage AI tools while maintaining academic integrity and demonstrating your own knowledge and analytical skills is increasingly important across many disciplines. This approach aims to prepare you for future academic and professional scenarios where you may encounter or use similar tools.
 
 
Note that we reserve the right to request further explanation or demonstration of your understanding of any part of your submitted work.

Special assessment requirements

Resubmission

This unit has substantial opportunities for feedback and self-assessment, and so students who have fully participated in the unit activities are unlikely to fail. In some cases, resubmission of a failed assignment will be possible if the assessment item can feasibly be brought up to a pass level. A typical example might be an assignment that fails due to a missing component that can readily be supplied in a resubmission. The maximum grade for a resubmitted assessment item is 50%. Resubmissions are given at the discretion of the unit convenor, and must be applied for in writing (via email) within one week of the assessment grade being released.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

None

Required IT skills

Basic computer knowledge.

In-unit costs

Costs may be incurred with project production.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None.

Next step

Apply now Enquire