Key Thinkers at the Intersections of Art, Science, Culture and Technology
Tk0154 Key Thinkers at the Intersection of Art, Science, Culture and Technology
Coordinator and main instructor:
Barbara Sonvilla
Level of the course:
Mainly intended for Master level, but open to Bachelor level also
Schedule:
Course starts: Tuesday March 1, 2011
Course ends: Tuesday May 17, 2011
7 Face-to-face teaching classes at Aalto University School of Art and Design (Hämeentie 135C), Department of Fashion Design, 6th floor, Room 6088. Time: 17.00 to 18.30 hrs.
- March 1: Introduction
- March 15
- March 29
- April 12
- April 26
- May 10
- May 17: Final Lecture + class discussion
Language of the course:
English
For how many students
15 students max. Open to all Aalto schools
Credits and structure of studies:
4 ECTS (assignments), optionally
6 ECTS (assignments+essay)
Content:
“Key Thinkers“ is designed as a web-based blended learning course and will explore the cross-sections of art, science, culture and new media. Divided into several learning modules, eminent thinkers such as the biologist Francesco Varela (The Embodied Mind), economist and nobel laureate Amartya Sen (Identity and Violence), artist researcher Olafur Eliasson (The Weather Project), Neurobiologist Semir Zeki (Artistic Creativity and the Human Brain) a.o. will be examined in order to support the formation of a new paradigm of thought. It aims to introduce the key thoughts and theories of artists, scientists, economists etc., who have influenced and shaped the world (of art) over the last decades, and who are promoting an understanding of contemporary issues in a globalized world from a wider perspective.
Learning outcomes:
Its’ aim is to support cross-disciplinary cooperation within the different faculties of Aalto University by developing and providing a basis for understanding how cross-disciplinary thinking has shaped and enriched state-of-the-art research and discourse. Focused on student-centered learning, the course encourages to open-up the mind, to create multiple perspectives, and to enhance the culture of knowledge-sharing.
Methods:
This course combines web-based self studies (all learning materials are posted on VLE Moodle) and 7 face-to-face lectures. Lecture meetings will be dedicated to introduce each given subject, and to engage ourselves in group dscussions and joint reflections.
Requirements:
No prior requirements necessary.
Students will individually get access to the VLE moodle platfrom where all learning materials are provided. According to the students’ individual learning type, they may select from a wide array of learning materials (tele-lectures, audio-files, videoclips, textfiles); furthermore they are invited to join in the online discussion forum, and they will have in-situ teaching sessions for the sake of clarification, discussion, exchange and in-depth analysis. With this course, they will get to know and access the diversity and richness of Online Knowledge Archives provided by various institutions also.
Assignments: According to the schedule, students are responsible for handing in written summaries of each chapter (film or articles) they are assigned. These summaries have to be a minimum of 500 words in length, typed, double-spaced and must include a title. In the summary, the major points of each article are to be mentioned. In addition, one provocative question for each key thinker that will help stimulate class discussion is to be included. Summaries will be graded on a pass/unacceptable basis. Summaries are due at the end of class. Late summaries will be accepted within one week of the due date.
Enrollment:
Via WebOodi.
