HSOC-101: Art of Research (ID Majors)

This course will introduce students to the practice of Design Research with a focus on the history, methodologies, methods, and tools utilized in professional practice. We will examine how research can provide a compelling logic for design, and employ a range of research activities including ethnographic interviews, observations, and generative approaches. Students will learn how to plan and conduct an original design research project, analyze the information gathered, and articulate opportunities for creative projects. The ethical considerations of social research practice will be emphasized and examined through texts and student experiences. Working in small groups, students will participate in reflective, inquiry-based critique models contributing to a collaborative, iterative educational environment. Students will communicate what they learn through weekly presentations, reflective writing, and a final presentation. The final creative brief will communicate the research process, key insights and opportunities, recommendations for design, and speculative visualizations or prototypes.