International curriculum design
AN INNOVATIVE new Masters degree designed to allow students to study and develop in both England and Germany has been launched.
The international joint Masters programme, which focuses on the integration of design, technology and society, has been devised by academics at the University of Leeds in collaboration with an academic team at Mannheim University of Applied Sciences.
Shaping the future
Mike Sheedy, Deputy head of School at the School of Design, University of Leeds, explains that the 18-month programme, which includes a five-month exchange in Germany, is ‘future-focused’.
“The course benefits from both a multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary educational experience,” he says.
“It provides opportunities to apply design thinking in two different cultures supported by a learning environment informed by expertise and research from two institutions with common aims regarding the future role and value of design.”
Life-changing design
The Erasmus+ funded-programme, which will be taught in English, signals the School of Design’s mission to become a world leader and innovator in design education by creating differentiated programmes of study which provide students with unique educational experiences.
Mike adds: “The programme’s structure integrates knowledge from disciplines outside the traditional parameters of design, including philosophy and sociology.
“It addresses social, economic and cultural issues and develops strategic thinking and conceptual development applied through a wide range of communication and media channels.
“Design has evolved into a profession that almost exclusively supports commercial objectives through the application of aesthetic skills. This programme is designed to create opportunities to redefine current perceptions by applying design thinking to improve the quality of life and address social need.”
Dr Raphael Hallett, Director at the Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence (LITE), says: "The programme is a trail-blazer in Post Graduate Teaching curriculum design and provides the University with an exciting and creative precedent that links together research, intercultural experience and graduate employability."
The link to course finder is: http://courses.leeds.ac.uk/25188/MA_Design_Future_Society
and the School of Design web page can be found here: http://www.design.leeds.ac.uk/pg/designfuturesociety/