Course syllabus
Information about your course
Dear Embedded Design Cohort 2026,
Welcome to the program!
On our first day, Sept 2 2024, you will join the welcome ceremony in the morning which is held in Baula (the library space straight in from the main entrance). In the afternoon, we will have Embedded Design (EmDes)-specific programming in room 619 at 13.00 (one of us will meet you at the entrance to help you find your way, but also, 619 is up the stairs on the Chalmersgatan side of the building, the top floor - the grey door is just heavy not locked at the top of the stairs).
We are excited that you have arrived to embark on this master's study. Some of you have come to this study with a very certain idea of what you will do. Some of you have a less certain idea. Both ways of entering (plus all the in-betweens) are lovely. As a group of students and teachers, together we will meet, we will develop, and we will change each other and ourselves. The job of a masters study is to dance between the certain and less certain. We, as teachers, will push you towards your unique potential, and in turn you will each push yourselves into your unique embedded design practices. This practice begins now.
The course provides an introduction to design in organisational contexts, through strategic, social, and service design, among other perspectives. You will begin to explore basic concepts, methods, and approaches within the field of Embedded Design, that we continue to deepen our understanding, further investigate, and problematise throughout the programme.
Below is important information to register in Ladok for your Autumn Term 1 courses: EMD11B and DSG12A, access to the online Student Portal, the schedule for EMD11B, the literature list, and other general information on student life. First, are a few things we want to share about EmDes life:
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- We are excited to shape what it means to be an Embedded Designer with each of you. We will ask you to articulate and give form to Embedded Design Practice over and over and over again. We promise, it shifts. The shift transforms it into new knowledge and we begin doing this together from the first course. It shifts even for us, the teachers. The teachers and the students that come before you will undoubtedly mentor your articulations but it is each of you that will be giving form to your unique practice within our field, based on your existing and emerging practice. This is what it means to be in a Masters study.
- We are enthusiastic about collaborating with and alongside you. Collaboration is core to the Embedded Design program. Every course has collaboration included in its course design and this means, throughout the program, you will collaborate both with your fellow students and with partner organisations. You will get support and create your own versions of support as you build your collaborative practices. Collaboration is hard work but, most of the time, fun!
- We are motivated to start the learning journey with each and every one of you. Assessment of assignments and courses are either Pass or Non-Pass. Upon examination instances, the judgment is on your learning process. This judgment is in relation to the learning outcomes of each Course Syllabus. In other words, we teachers watch for transformations, shared meaning-making, and deep dives into learning. And so, most of the time, the solutions are the least interesting part of these learning journeys. Occasionally complementary work will get assigned to ensure you each have met the learning outcomes, if (when) this happens it is not something to get discouraged by but instead it is a path for a deeper learning journey.
- We are eager to share physical space together. Bottomline, we love presence in the studio. This is where spontaneous things happen, exciting things happen, and where mundane things happen - all of which happen as a community. Many other university disciplines do not get this privilege of a space of their own like we do in our shared studio. Therefore, we expect you all to lean into the spatial and the material practice that can only be afforded by having a studio next to your peers. Let's use the studio to its advantage.
- We are excited to shape what it means to be an Embedded Designer with each of you. We will ask you to articulate and give form to Embedded Design Practice over and over and over again. We promise, it shifts. The shift transforms it into new knowledge and we begin doing this together from the first course. It shifts even for us, the teachers. The teachers and the students that come before you will undoubtedly mentor your articulations but it is each of you that will be giving form to your unique practice within our field, based on your existing and emerging practice. This is what it means to be in a Masters study.
We are so excited to start the adventure of your cohorts two year study. Welcome again!
Best,
Samantha (Course Responsible, Program Responsible),
Mills (Course Teacher) & Ulises (Course Teacher).
Student Portal
In the Student Portal you will find information that is good to know as a new student.
Register for your course
To confirm your place on the course, you need to register. It is only when you have registered that you are considered a student on the course and can access all course material in Canvas.
Register for the course in Ladok. Registration is open 26-29 August 2024. If you do not register in time, you will lose your place on the course.
Contact
If you have questions about registration, please contact Student Affairs: admission@hdk-valand.gu.se.
For questions about the course content and layout, please contact the course responsible teacher.
Schedule
The course schedule is available in TimeEdit.
Note that the course schedule is preliminary up to two weeks before the course starts.
Course Syllabus and Reading List
Study Counselling
If you have questions about your studies, educational support, approved study leave, entry requirements, etc. you are welcome to contact the study counsellor at HDK-Valand Britta Fernell Foufa, studievagledning@hdk-valand.gu.se. Find more information about Study counselling at the University of Gothenburg on the Student Portal.
Student Health
It is important that you are feeling well and that you feel that you can manage your studies. You can contact the student health service and there are also various resources that you can use on your own. Read more about student health in the Student Portal.