Catalog Description
Instructor Description
This class explores how to make arguments about and through design. The first half focuses on values, criticism, ethics, and analysis of technology, the latter portion aims to help a soon-to-graduate technologist envision positive social impact in a mission-driven enterprise. Students will practice synthesizing ethical tech considerations – as they will have to do for the rest of their careers – and combining this with an organizational mindset. Through exercises, role-playing, discussions, guest lectures from activist technologists, and wide-ranging readings, students will practice connecting broader implications of their designs with technical choices. Design for Social Impact seeks to arm students with diverse ways of reflecting on their authorial relationship to technology, drawing from art and design to political science and anthropology. Course participants will be encouraged to focus on areas of personal interest, enumerating the social, political, and economic parameters of particular technical systems: parameters that are as important as power consumption, usability, or efficiency.
Prerequisites
Upper-division standing and Informatics 310U.
Restrictions
Generally restricted to undergradute Informatics majors through registration period 1 and extended to Informatics minors in period 2. Outside students – including iSchool graduate students – will only be accepted during period 3.
Notes
Also offered as Informatics 320S.
Current and Upcoming Classes for this Course
| Class Name | Semester | Day(s) | Start Time(s) | End Time(s) | Building | Room |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I 320U: Topics in User Experience Design: Design for Social Impact
Angela D. R. Smith |
Fall Term 2026 |
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