Object of Design

This assignment requires you to think about science, technology, and society in relation to design, and write a paper that uses 2-5 external sources and evidence-based method of argumentation. The minimum length of the paper is 1,250 words. That word count does not include bibliography or footnotes.
1. Choose an object of design that we have covered or will cover in the course. Browse the textbook; feel free to pick a recent object as well. However, cell phones are excluded (you may not choose a cell phone as the object of design to write about).

2. Choose an aspect of science or technology that pertains to the production of that object of design, for example materials (or their development), tools, methods of production, distribution, or technology used in the object (for example, personal electronics, except the cell phone). If you have questions, please consult
the instructor.

3. Return to the “Introduction of The Utrecht Manifesto” and pick one of the ten points about socially responsible design discussed in the article. Think of what might be applicable in terms of the designed object that you have chosen to write about.

4. Research your designed object using additional external sources (other than the course textbook), paying special attention to the role of science and technology in its development as well as subsequent production and consumption.
This is where the rest of those 1-4 sources come in.
If you use academic sources, such as peer-reviewed articles or scholarly books, you will need to use and discuss one more source in addition to the “Introduction of The Utrecht Manifesto.” Your course textbook features suggestions for further reading (pp. 413-416) – that’s a great place to start looking.
If your other sources are popular (for example, news articles), you will need to include four separate sources in addition to the “Introduction of The Utrecht Manifesto.” Whether academic or popular, your sources will need to represent at least two different disciplinary approaches and points of view.
Regardless of whether they are academic or popular, your sources should be credible and you will need to approach them with critical thinking: weigh the information against your other sources, what you otherwise know, and consider whether the conclusions reached by your sources are credible. Consider how the author’s point of view or possible agenda (for example, the type of publication) might affect the conclusions reached.
Be informed by your sources, but evaluate them and think for yourself!

***(I have wrote a proposal of this paper, it includes the step 1-3. If you have better idea about step 2 & 3 during writing, feel free to change them, but the object has to be the one I chose. And for the sources, I found few of them, but I’m not sure whether they are helpful, they are in the same documents with proposal. Thank you very much!! XD)***

5. Write your paper. First, relate your object of design to one of the ten points of social responsibility discussed in the “Introduction of The Utrecht Manifesto,” focusing on the period when the object of design
was first designed and produced. For example, if you are writing about the early sewing machine, think about the late nineteenth century. Discuss this question: Did this object fit into, or manifest, one of those ten points of social responsibility during the time period when it was first designed and used? Second, discuss this question: What difference have aspects of science and technology made in that object? Conclude with a discussion of design, science, technology, and society, using your example as a case study to think about the role of design at the intersection of science, technology, and society. Does design make a difference? If so, how does it do it? Can it do something different, or more?
Make sure to address the following questions in your paper:
• What object of design are you analyzing, and what cultural and historical context is it associated with?
• What is socially responsible design, according to the “Introduction of The Utrecht Manifesto”?
• How has science and/or technology contributed to this designed object?
• What difference does science and technology make (or has made) in this object, and in the world?
• Did any of the points about socially responsible design apply to this object when it was first designed and made?
• Finally, in your informed opinion, are the goals of socially responsible design compatible with continued scientific and technological advancement as they are associated with this designed object?

Grading Rubric:
Presentation(Length, grammar/spelling, structure, formatting, citation system): Paper is coherently organized, clear, and concise; there are no spelling or grammatical errors; citation system is used proficiently (4 pts)
Accuracy: Description of the designed object and the sources is accurate and includes relevant details (4 pts)
Sources and Evidence Required sources(“Introduction of The Utrecht Manifesto” AND 1 other academic source or 4 popular sources):All of the sources included and discussed in the paper; sources integrated meaningfully in relation to assignment topic (4 pts)
Diverse Perspectives: Includes diverse relevant perspectives (2 pts)
Argument: Clear evidence of reasoning; paper justifies or advances an original perspective or viewpoint; questions and themes of science, technology, and socially responsible design are connected to the design object (5-6 pts)