2008 RESPOND | DESIGN INQUIRY SEMINAR

3Credits Peter Hocking

Winter - 2008

Building on the ideas, initiative and goals of RISD's Respond | Design group, this seminar will establish a foundation for public engagement within the college by undertaking three or more inquiry projects. While RISD is a private college, by virtue of its incorporation, it also has a public purpose. This purpose can be understood broadly, as preparing the rising generation of designers and artists to meet the challenges of contemporary culture. It can also be seen within an institutional context. RISD can be a laboratory for sustainable and socially engaged institutional practices, providing leadership for other institutions and organizations. This course will explore both of these views while looking specifically at three questions: 1.) What is the current state of sustainability on campus?, 2.) What would it take for RISD to be a carbonneutral institution?, and 3.) How can students, administrators and faculty collaborate on campus design and sustainability projects in an effective and on-going way? The inquiry projects will remain flexible in the first week of class and may expand or be prioritized by the seminar participants. Each inquiry will result in a working document or data system for advancing public engagement in the RISD curriculum. Restricted to Senior, Fifth-year, Graduate M,T 1:00pm - 4:00pm MASN/CIT 105