As the allied fields of design evolve in response to an increasing number of global challenges - inequity, social and political turmoil, disruptive climate-change, accelerating population growth - the question of how designers will address the needs of the most vulnerable among us is fundamental. Public Interest Design (PID), an emerging area of specialization within the design professions, specifically considers the concerns of the vast majority of the world?s inhabitants who are historically under-resourced and ill-equipped to respond to the ?Grand Challenges? facing humankind. With this mind, this introductory survey course has two aims: First, to critically examine the range of environmental, economic, social, and ethical issues that underpins work with under-resourced domestic and international communities ? including how these concerns can be collectively addressed to become more resilient; and second, to investigate organizational models that seek to broaden the traditional scope of the allied design fields as disciplines and professions by advocating a humanitarian basis for practice.

The street as part of network of urban systems/fragments: sidewalks, private interiors, curbs, terraces, boulevards, parking lots, bus stops, public institutions, urban architectures, utility lines, storm/sewer systems, groundwater, satellite communication systems, gardens, and lighting. Readings in urban studies, geography, design, economics and art history. Students review case studies, envision possible transformations of streets/street life.

Introduction to theories/principles of human interaction with designed objects. Focuses on affect/emotional quality of designs. Objects, interfaces, environments. Digitally mediated experiences.

Investigate world from new perspectives. Spaces of everyday life that reflect/shape values. Meets with LA 3601.

Investigate world from new perspectives. Spaces of everyday life that reflect/shape values. Meets with LA 1601.

Designed environment as cultural medium/product of sociocultural process/expression of values, ideas, behavioral patterns. Design/construction as complex political process. prereq: Soph or above

Introduction to theories/principles of human interaction with designed objects. Focuses on affect/emotional quality of designs. Objects, interfaces, environments. Digitally mediated experiences.

The street as part of network of urban systems/fragments: sidewalks, private interiors, curbs, terraces, boulevards, parking lots, bus stops, public institutions, urban architectures, utility lines, storm/sewer systems, groundwater, satellite communication systems, gardens, and lighting. Readings in urban studies, geography, design, economics and art history. Students review case studies, envision possible transformations of streets/street life.

Normative/professional ethics, and leadership considerations, applicable to managing natural resources and the environment. Readings, discussion.

Do you want to make a difference? We live in a world full of complex challenges, such as COVID-19, racism, economic recession, and environmental collapse, to name a few. Now is the time to use your own skills and passion to make a positive impact in the world. In this project-based course, you will learn how to develop effective and sustainable responses to current social and environmental problems. You'll study a variety of tools, mindsets, and skills that will help you to address any complex grand challenge, as well as engage with case studies of successful grand challenge projects in the past. Your project may address food insecurity, unemployment, housing, environmental impacts, equity, or other issues. Proposed designs for how you might have an impact may take many forms (student group, program intervention with an existing organization, public policy strategy, or for-profit or non-profit venture) but this class will focus on how to make ideas financially sustainable. The primary focus of this (GCC 5005) course is how to develop a pilot project plan that addresses a grand challenge. You will learn business modeling, financial projections, and pitching to potential investors and funders. You will build a model for your idea around input from primary and secondary research, as well as the affected community?s culture, needs, and wants. Community members, locally and globally, may serve as mentors and research consultants to teams. External speakers will be brought in to share their stories of how to build and scale innovative efforts to serve the common good. Students enrolled will work either independently, or in small teams, on a project of their own choosing. Ideally, students will apply to take this class with a project in mind. By the end of the class, students will have a well-designed plan to turn their project into an actionable solution if that is of interest. This is a Grand Challenge Curriculum course. GCC courses are open to all students and fulfill an honors experience for University Honors Program students.

Introduction to cities and suburbs as unique crossroads of cultural, social, and political processes. Competing/conflicting visions of city life, cultural diversity, and justice. Focuses on the American city.

Investigate world from new perspectives. Spaces of everyday life that reflect/shape values. Meets with LA 3601.

This course will study nations, regions, cities, and communities that have adapted or are undergoing adaptation to climate change. The course will examine different approaches in planning, policy, economics, infrastructure, and building design that increase the adaptive capacity of human settlements. These approaches will vary in scale from the construction of new neighborhoods to the implementation of storm water gardens. The course will emphasize multi-functional strategies which couple climate change adaptation with other urban improvements. Learning Objectives: To understand role of climate adaptation in the reconfiguration of human settlements. To apply design thinking to the issue of climate adaptation in the context of an urban society.To apply knowledge to challenge-based coursework on managing climate risk, decreasing climate vulnerability, and building resilience to climate change.

Investigate world from new perspectives. Spaces of everyday life that reflect/shape values. Meets with LA 1601.

Public affairs work, roles of citizens in democratic way of life. Community organizing skills, their importance for public affairs. Negotiations among diverse audiences, understanding different interests, mapping power relationships. Relevant public affairs and governance theory.

Selected topics.

Apparel business. Overview of steps in the process of creating, merchandising, selling, and consuming apparel. Various ethical positions reflected in manufacturer, retailer, and consumer decision making are considered.

Meanings of social justice. Ways in which social justice advocates work for social change. Criminal justice, globalization, and social welfare. Students do service learning in a social justice organization.

Interdisciplinary course, ranging across spatial, historical, economic, political, and design perspectives, among many others.

Examine links between cities and the environment with emphasis on air, soil, water, pollution, parks and green space, undesirable land uses, environmental justice, and the basic question of how to sustain urban development in an increasingly fragile global surrounding.

Suburbs as sites of urgent battles over resources, planning practices, land use, and economic development. How suburban life shapes values, political ideals, and worldviews of its populations.

Topics/credits vary. prereq: Upper div CSE