Wayne CarlsonAutumn Quarter 2006TR 3:30-5:18p.m.Design 785Orientation to Graduate Studies in DesignOSU Department of DesignPage 1Course Overview: General Focus and ExpectationsDescriptionRequirements of graduate-level study in Design; available resources; facultyinterests and research; discussion of current and future trends indesign; introduction to design research and communicationmethods; graduate program planning.Course ContextThis course is the first in a series of required departmental coregraduate courses that introduces students to graduatestudies in design. Students will receive 4 hours of graduate creditfor this course.Format This is a progress-oriented seminar course that requires activestudent participation. Class will meet 2 days per week for 2 hourseach day, and it will be comprised of readings, presentations,papers, and group discussions.ObjectivesThe goal of this course is to introduce students to the Design Department,as well as requirements of graduate-level studies. Students will beexpected to obtain a general view of graduate education in design throughreadings and research. Students will define and refine the directionof their future studies, through completion of a literature review, aresearch proposal, and a future course plan.Course Content The following topic areas will be addressed in this course:and Outcomes 1) Graduate studies in the Department of Industrial, Interior, andVisual Communication Design: orientation to philosophies,structure, and the purpose of graduate studies in the Department.Requirements of Plan A (thesis) and Plan B (non-thesis) options.Preliminary statement of research intent.2) Department, Graduate School, and University requirements andpolicies: review of requirements, policies, paperwork, and dates ofimportance to graduate studies from first quarter throughgraduation. Rough draft of future course plan will be completed.3) Research methods: discussion of methods of research used inthe design process. Ways of approaching design problems, andstructuring research methods for useful outcomes. Class discussions & paper.4) Department and University resources: library systems (university andlocal), computer systems, computer labs (departmental and college-wide), department resources. Local design firms, related servicefirms. Literature review/ bibliography.5) Department and University faculty expertise: Overview of researchinterests of Design faculty and affiliated faculty; identification ofpotential committee members. Department and Universitygraduate faculty presentations/interviews.(continued on next page)Wayne CarlsonAutumn Quarter 2006 Design 785Orientation to Graduate Studies in DesignOSU Department of DesignPage 2Course Overview: General Focus and Expectations (continued)Course Content 6) Student direction of studies: development of a philosophical positionand Outcomes and study intent. Final proposal and presentation, with inclusion of a(continued) future course plan.Requirements Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and meetings.Any unexcused absences may result in a lowering of the final grade.More than three unexcused absences may result in an automaticfailure for the course, at the instructor’s discretion. Continuedtardiness may result in a lowering of the final grade, also at theinstructor’s discretion.Evaluation Students will be evaluated on participation in class discussions;the content quality of all written work; the writing quality of writtenwork; the presentation quality of written and oral work; and evidence ofsynthesis and application of information derived from readings andclass discussions.Grading Each assignment, paper, and/or presentation will be assigned a lettergrade from A to E. Late assignments will receive a failing or loweredgrade, at the instructor’s discretion. Incompletes will not be grantedexcept under extreme circumstances. Extra credit or make-upprojects will not be available.•Participation & preliminary statement of intent: 10% each of final grade.• Faculty interviews: 10% of final grade.•Research paper/literature review/bibliography: 30% of final grade.•Final proposal and presentation: 40% of final grade.Required Students will read from the following texts, and lead discussions onReadings selected content, as assigned by the instructor.• Department Graduate Studies Handbook (reference)• University Graduate Handbook (reference)• Research Student and Supervisor, Council of Graduate Students• How to Succeed in Graduate School, Online document• Selected readings from various sources (provided)Wayne CarlsonAutumn Quarter 2006 Design 785Orientation to Graduate Studies in DesignOSU Department of DesignPage 3 Week 1 Introduction and background of students; overview of course. Week 2 Discussions related to proposal and literature review,graduate degree options, overview of faculty interviews. Week 3 University resources; facility tours Week 4 Review of former student thesis/project documents Week 5 Discussion of readings. preliminary statement due Oct 17 Week 6 Faculty presentations/interviews. Week 7 Choosing an advisor, discussion of readings. Week 8 discussion of readings. faculty interviews due Nov 7 Week 9 Discussion of readings. research paper / bibliography due Nov 16 Week 10 Both meetings: research days. Week 11 Final presentations; final proposal due Nov 30 Week of Dec 9 Finals weekCourse Schedule: Weekly Breakdown and Due DatesOffice Hours and How to Reach MeI will be holding office hours from 3:30-5:00, Monday and Friday, throughout the quarter.If you have a question concerning assignments, or any other issues related to this coursethat cannot be answered during class times, please see me during those office hours.If you know you will must miss a class meeting, please alert me ahead of time by callingmy office at 688-3242. If I am not there you may leave a message on the answering ma-chine.You may also leave a message for me by calling the Department of Design main office at292–6746. I can also be reached via e-mail, at [email protected] CarlsonAutumn Quarter 2006 .Design 785Orientation to Graduate Studies in DesignOSU Department of DesignPage 4Course Writing Assignments: Breakdown of Suggested ContentsStatement • General Overview/Background (3 to 5 paragraphs).of Intent • Problem Statement(s) that provide background, assumptions, andsignificance of the proposed