{"id":27316,"date":"2023-02-01T14:11:52","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T19:11:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/?page_id=27316"},"modified":"2025-07-22T16:10:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T20:10:48","slug":"ds-courses-curriculum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/academics\/ds-courses-curriculum\/","title":{"rendered":"Design Studies Courses and Curriculum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

The critical path established for Design Studies is based on a strong core that allows students to integrate individualized topics. The courses are scaffolded to increase independent study and research by providing a strong foundation of research, writing and historical and theoretical knowledge within Art + Design.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n \n Courses <\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n
\n \n Internships <\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n
\n \n Curriculum<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Courses<\/h2>\n\n\n
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First Semester<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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D100: Design Thinking<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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Second Semester<\/strong><\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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ADN292: Design Culture and Context:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Design Culture and Context \u00a0is an interdisciplinary survey of the impact of culture on the ideas, styles and expressions of art and design during the 19th and 20th centuries. With a focus on the United State and societies around the globe, a variety and material references from architecture, industrial design, textile and clothing manufacture, the arts, graphic design, film and new media will be used to explore the \u201cbig picture\u201d of the things people create\u2013material culture\u2013 within a frame of significance, utility and public need.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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Third Semester<\/strong><\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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ADN200: A Survey of Design Studies:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>In this sophomore-level introductory course, students are introduced to a variety of perspectives within design studies. Students engage in a variety of critical writing assignments and exercises that evaluate material culture, design process and design production. In addition, students engage in exercises that apply process and methods of design towards developing new and innovative business models and addressing critical social issues. Critical topics include design as related to technology, accessibility, production, sustainability, and experience. Readings for the course will be focused on various theories of design, design studies and the future of design.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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Fifth or Sixth Semester<\/strong><\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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ADN418: Contemporary Issues:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>The class explores a range of issues about contemporary art and design ideologies. Concentration on selected readings which provide a platform for discussion of various ideas, approaches, perspectives and practices in the contemporary fields of art and design.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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Seventh Semester<\/strong><\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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DS482: Research Seminar<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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Eighth Semester<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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DS483: Capstone Paper<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, students are required to take a number of advised electives in the following areas. These selections include (but are not limited to):<\/p>\n\n\n\n