Syllabus

Title
0915 Human-Centered System Design I
Instructors
Kathrin Bednar, MSc, MSc, BA
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/12/23 to 10/06/23
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Wednesday 10/18/23 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM TC.4.17
Wednesday 10/25/23 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM TC.4.02
Friday 11/03/23 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 11/08/23 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM TC.4.02
Wednesday 11/15/23 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM TC.4.02
Wednesday 11/22/23 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM TC.4.02
Wednesday 11/29/23 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM TC.4.01
Contents

The core topic of this course is human-centered system design, that is, how to design digital interfaces and IT products for human needs and values. Students will be introduced to practical guidelines and design principles as well as to theoretical concepts and ethical considerations

 

Topics covered include:

  • fundamental concepts and theories of human-computer interaction (e.g. usability, user experience, accessibility)
  • the role of stakeholders in the design process (e.g. human-centered design, design thinking, stakeholder identification)
  • relevant concepts and theories from psychology and design science (e.g. human needs, value sensitive design)
  • techniques for discovering user needs, values, and requirements (e.g. interviews, personas, context scenarios, paper prototyping)
  • ethical concepts and theories for assessing the design of digital products and services (e.g. values, virtues, consequentialism, deontology)

Students will explore these topics through literature and in-class discussions and apply them in a team project. 

Learning outcomes

After attending this course, students will

  • understand the importance of good interaction design for successful digital products and services that respect human needs and values and produce positive human experiences
  • be able to evaluate existing digital systems and suggest improvements
  • take into account human needs, abilities, expectations etc.
  • be able to reflect on and apply scientific theories and concepts from psychology, human-computer interaction, design science and ethics
Attendance requirements

General attendance of 80% is mandatory. Students who do not fulfill this requirement automatically fail the course.
It is the students' responsibility to keep track of their attendance! Attendance in the introductory session is especially important, as registered students that do not attend this session lose their place to students from the waiting list.

Teaching/learning method(s)

The course follows principles of active learning through interactive theory presentation and discussion of practical applications. Every session includes exercises and examples to make students familiar with the presented theories and approaches. Students will work on a team project that applies and reflects on the concepts and methods introduced in class. In individual assignments and quizzes, students can show how well they have familiarized themselves with the topics presented.

Assessment

Student performance will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • 40% Team project
  • 40% Individual assignments (in-class & homework)
  • 20% Active participation (including attendance)

To pass the course, all partial performances have to be successfully completed.

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

The places for this course are allocated on the "first-come, first-served" principle during the official registration period. If you are registered for the course, but cannot participate, please cancel your registrations during the registration period, so that your place can be taken by students who want and can participate.

The participation in the first unit is mandatory for registered students; students who fail to come forfeit their place to students on the waiting list.

Readings

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

Recommended previous knowledge and skills

You don't need any prior knowledge or programming skills.

We strongly recommend to also register for the subsequent course "Human-Centered System Design II"

Last edited: 2023-09-20



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