2021 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 / Giorgio Salani
- Class Format
- Exercise
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 9-10 Intensive
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAW.X423
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
What do products mean for people? How does technology relate to culture? What does our relationship with technology and products tell us about society?
This seminar series introduces notions of design theory and material culture studies to investigate technological products, materials, processes, and cultures. In each class, we will interpret the relations between people and things through key historical frameworks: from materialist and structuralist views to ANT theory, the social life of things and new-Materialism. The transdisciplinary and nonhierarchical study of both high and low technologies aims to spark lively discussions using relevant, practical and accessible examples.
Course description and aims
The post-Anthropocene calls for a remodeling of the role of designers and engineers as makers of concepts as well as makers of stuff. The focus on short lectures, seminar discussions and extensive digital interaction is designed to facilitate the assimilation of theories and their application to practical solutions and exercises. Students will widen design/engineering perspectives narrowly focused on style, function and/or performance, and familiarize themselves with key concepts from design theory, craft studies, anthropology of technology and Western philosophy.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
The lecturer discusses the relationship between manufacturing, society and citizens drawing on his wealth of experience as an engineering consultant not only as a researcher.
Keywords
design, material culture, technology, craft, critical thinking, speculation
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The sessions combine seminars + interactive workshops to deliver experiential learning. Participants will form small groups to work on tasks and contribute to the discussions.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | The transformation of Nature into products | Exercises on Miro |
| Class 2 | Products as representation | Short essay and/or photo |
| Class 3 | Psychological encounters between people and products | Exercises on Miro |
| Class 4 | Products as extension of people | Exercises on Miro |
| Class 5 | Life of things | Short essay and/or photo |
| Class 6 | Rediscovering social–ecological systems | Short essay and/or photo |
| Class 7 | Towards new materialisms | Assignment on Miro |
Study advice (preparation and review)
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
None
Evaluation methods and criteria
Attendance, class contribution, assignment
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
None, English
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
salani.g.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp TSE, School of Environment and Society
Office hours
13:30-17:00
Other
Monday 9-10 slot