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. 

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.

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.

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.

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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"