Individual and Society
- Faculty
Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
- Version
Version 2 of 18.03.2026.
- Module identifier
11B0217
- Module level
Bachelor
- Language of instruction
German
- ECTS credit points and grading
5.0
- Module frequency
only winter term
- Duration
1 semester
- Brief description
Industrial product design focuses on product development processes and design solutions for mass production. Nevertheless, in the 21st century, products should, as far as possible, meet the needs of increasingly individualistic consumers. Designers must develop designs and concepts within this tension. Only by understanding the similarities and differences between the concepts of “the individual” and “society” can user-centered product development take place. In this context, the categories of "gender and diversity" and "sustainability" are just as crucial as ethical considerations, reflection on one’s own role as a designer, and an awareness of the need to act responsibly.
- Teaching and learning outcomes
“Individual” and “Society”: Concepts, Similarities, Differences, Interactions - Customization and Individualization - Gender and Diversity Issues and Sustainability - Open Design, Participatory Design - Responsibility
- Overall workload
The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").
- Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 60 Lecture - Lecturer independent learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 45 seminar paper - 45 Exam preparation -
- Graded examination
- Homework / Assignment
- Knowledge Understanding
Altdaten aus MoPPS2. Bitte diese Daten auf die Felder Wissensverständnis, Nutzung und Transfer, Wissenschaftliche Innovation, Kommunikation und Kooperation, Wissenschaftliches Selbstverständnis aufteilen und ggf. erweitern/abändern!
- Literature
Friedrich von Borries, Weltentwerfen: Eine politische Designtheorie. Frankfurt/M. 2016; Uta Brandes, Gender Design: Streifzüge zwischen Theorie und Empirie, Basel 2017; Claudia Mareis, Wer gestaltet die Gestaltung? Praxis, Theorie und Geschichte des partizipatorischen Designs, Bielefeld 2013; Victor Papanek, The Politics of Design, Weil a.Rh. 2018; Frank Piller, Mass Customization. Ein wettbewerbsstrategisches Konzept im Informationszeitalter, Wiesbaden 2006; Schimank, Uwe, Volkmann, Ute, Gesellschaftliche Differenzierung, Bielefeld 1999.
- Applicability in study programs
- Mechatronics
- Mechatronics B.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Industrial Product Design
- Industrial Product Design B.A. (01.09.2024)
- Person responsible for the module
- Düchting, Susanne
- Teachers
- Düchting, Susanne