May 01, 2026  
Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Catalog 2024-2025 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

PHIL 321 Design Philosophy and Ethics

5 credits


An overview of the varied approaches to the study of philosophy from classical to contemporary is applied to the evolving design field. A study of common design terminology and semantics, applied with proper reasoning, is integrated into student projects. Ethical decision-making within the design profession is emphasized.

This course meets the Humanities  general education distribution requirement.

Prerequisites: Admission to the BAS in Design program

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

  • Describe contemporary design theories and their philosophical and ethical implications
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze work done by other designers
  • Examine ethical norms from various cultural perspectives
  • Develop the skills required for visual and verbal communication of design concepts
  • Define the designer’s ethical obligations as the message mediator between client and audience
  • Evaluate ethical issues surrounding the design of objects, services, identities, and experiences. 
  • Draft a personal ethics statement tied to his/her design discipline
  • Develop the skills that will foster perception, comprehension, and design of meaningful objects and spaces

College-Wide Learning Outcomes
This course teaches to the college-wide learning outcome of Communication, the ability to engage effectively in verbal, non-verbal, written, and/or symbolic expression.

Total Hours: 50 Theory (Lecture) Hours: 50