2020 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Breadth courses

Technology and Product in Context

Academic unit or major: Breadth courses
Instructor(s): Kayoko Nohara
Class Format: Exercise (Zoom)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): 9-10 Intensive (Zoom)
Class: -
Course Code: LAW.X423
Number of credits: 010
Course offered: 2020
Offered quarter: 4Q
Syllabus updated: Jul 10, 2025
Language: English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

The proposed series of lectures brings together philosophy, design theory and technology studies to investigate design’s role and responsibility, practices and methods, debates and discourses in shaping a post-Anthropocene future. Philosophical ideas concerning the human, the post-human and the nonhuman foreground the investigation into forms of futurecrafting via design: the power of design speculation to craft futures in a scenario defined by planetary computation, digital uncertainty and the need to rethink what counts as human.

Course description and aims

Designers should become thinkers, at ease both with the making of concepts and the making of stuff. Thinkering: messing around in an open-ended way with raw material – whether tangible or intangible, concepts or 3D touch-points, ideas or prototypes – to design tools for speculation on the not-yet. The post-Anthropocene calls for a redesign of the hierarchy of the human and the nonhuman, a profoundly liberating project of reframing, refocusing, reperspectivizing, and redesigning the present if ever there was one.

Keywords

design Post-Anthropocene Future Crafting Speculation Non-Human

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

The lecture, workshops and studio-based sessions combined deliver experiential learning. Participants will form small groups in order to design simple prototypes.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Tools for thinking about Post-Anthropocen We will deepen our understanding of post-Anthropocene theory. At the same time, we will learn about how technology shapes humans and society. Recognizing the importance of narrative and practice, we will think about what can be known to be human in modern society, which is characterized by an increase in intelligent machine and digital uncertainty.	－
Class 2	Narrative of human vs. machine We will read criticisms of current major computational models and treat "algorithms" as modern cultural ones for analysis. At the same time, we will look at the cultural and historical trends that make up the encounter with human machines and continue to influence the current narrative in techno magic. Furthermore, we will examine both the good and bad aspects of algorithmic automation (automata) in the 18th century, and consider the relationship between animacy and inanimate objects.	－
Class 3	Uncertainty of digitization in worldwide computation We will examine the digitization uncertainties that can increase algorithmic autonomy and lead to unpredictable consequences in computation. Specifically, we will look at the fields of software studies and digital culture, including AI and machine learning. We advocate that the uncertainty of digitization can build designs in virtual space.	－
Class 4	Designing the future 1 Speculative, Strategy, Fiction, Shape the Future. An overview of critical design and how it can be used as a strategic tool for a better future. Based on Anthony Dunne & Fiona Rabby's speculative design, we'll look at mismaking devices (myth-forming gimmicks), world-building methods (how to build the world), and catabolic techniques. We advocate that design can be the strategic intelligence that will shape the future.	－
Class 5	Designing the future 2 Speculative, Strategy, Fiction, Shape the Future. An overview of critical design and how it can be used as a strategic tool for a better future. Based on Anthony Dunne & Fiona Rabby's speculative design, we'll look at mismaking devices (myth-forming gimmicks), world-building methods (how to build the world), and catabolic techniques. We advocate that design can be the strategic intelligence that will shape the future.	－
Class 6	Interaction between humans and machines 1 An overview of the reconstruction of living and inanimate objects. Using the mismaking techniques we covered in the last lecture, we will rethink how machines and humans with an increasing will can reconstruct their relationships. Specifically, I propose that by not paying attention to the anthropomorphic and cute playful aspects of animistic design, it may become an approach of "survey conducted while making something".
Class 7	Interaction between humans and machines ２ An overview of the reconstruction of living and inanimate objects. Using the mismaking techniques we covered in the last lecture, we will rethink how machines and humans with an increasing will can reconstruct their relationships. Specifically, I propose that by not paying attention to the anthropomorphic and cute playful aspects of animistic design, it may become an approach of "survey conducted while making something".

Study advice (preparation and review)

Textbook(s)

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Reference books, course materials, etc.

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Evaluation methods and criteria

atetndance, class contribution, assingment

Related courses

LAW.X316 ： Approaches to Creative Expression
LAW.X314 ： Editorial Designing in the Media
LAW.X315 ： Science & Engineering Design for Global Talents -Overseas Programme
LAW.X401 ： Science Communication for Global Talents - Overseas Programme
TSE.C317 ： Methodology of Transdisciplinary Research:theory and practice

Prerequisites

Other

Dr Betti Marenco as a guest lecturer
Jan.7,8,14,21,22, Feb.4,5 (tentative）
18:05-19:45
Class content and schedule are subject to change.