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MDS-20066 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

MDS-20066 - Data and Design
Coordinator: Elizabeth Poole Tel: +44 1782 7 34968
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

Where data comes from and how it is put to work are important questions for today’s digital designers and creators. In this module, you will explore the politics and power of ‘datafication’ and examine its opportunities and challenges. You will then apply this knowledge to the in depth analysis of digital design. You will think about how the design of digital media products and projects is shaped by social, economic, and political contexts.

Aims
This module aims to give students insight into the political and economic forces driving the datafication of society and its impacts. Students will analyse and critique the use and misuse of data across the digital sphere, examining forms of exploitation and injustice, and consider alternative design justice approaches which seek to redress these issues. Students will apply concepts of design justice to the analysis of digital objects such as applications or websites.

Intended Learning Outcomes

analyse and evaluate the political economic forces driving the datafication of society and the impacts of this: 1
describe and discuss the forms of exploitation and injustice perpetuated by datafication for environments, individuals, communities and societies: 1
critically engage with the framework of design justice and its application in a range of contemporary contexts: 1
apply learning to close analysis of digital design projects: 1

Study hours

44 hours of interactive workshops.
4 hours of small-group tutorials with module tutors
100 hours of tasks and preparation for taught sessions.
152 hours of practical work in the production of assessed final project material.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 100%
Data and Design portfolio
Students will analyse a design case study such as an application, website, or policy, selected in consultation with module tutors. The portfolio should apply and develop learning about datafication and design to in-depth analysis. The portfolio should comprise: - a 15-20 minute video walkthrough of the selected application, website, policy, or other case study. - a 2500 word written analysis drawing on academic concepts to analyse the case study. Opportunities for formative feedback, including a formative presentation, will be built into the module.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026