Prerequisite/Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

The course module is based upon knowledge acquired in the module Technology in Practice (1st semester)

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The aim of this module is for students to acquire experience with the application of theoretical and methodological knowledge, skills and competencies within the Techno-Anthropological repertoire to qualify the development or evaluation of an innovation process for design of a technology or a specific product.

Students who complete this module can:

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• present theories of the interplay between innovation strategies and technology development, product design, and product evaluation by selected actors/user groups
• present theories and methods for analysis of the cultural or institutional context of technological product innovation in a technology domain

• present ethnographic or interventionist research methods of relevance to a specific technology design, product development or product evaluation

Skills

• draft a plan for how either an ethnographic study or an intervention study with an arranged situation of user involvement (e.g. a design game) may contribute to technology or product development or product evaluation
• independently develop and carry out a qualitative study design that can contribute with knowledge relevant to the development or evaluation of an innovation process for design of a technology or a specific product
• develop a technology domain specific controversy mapping as input to the problem analysis.
• develop a plan for facilitation and documentation of a design process


Competences

• reflect on how ethnographic and interventionistic approaches may facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration in technology and/or product design, development or evaluation with in a technology domain
• reflect on potential controversies and ethical dilemmas that may arise during product development or implementation. 


Type of instruction

Project work, supervisor feedback, seminars, reflection

Exam

Exams

Name of exam	Technological Innovation and Design
Type of exam	Oral exam based on a project
ECTS	15
Assessment	7-point grading scale
Type of grading	External examination
Criteria of assessment	Are described in the Joint Programme Regulations.