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

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

MDS-20066 - Data and Design
Coordinator: Rachel Wood
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733147

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 put this knowledge into practice by developing your skills in socially conscious design. You will think about how to design creative digital media products and projects with awareness of the social, economic, and political questions of design justice.

Aims
This module aims to give students insight into the political 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 development of responsible and equitable digital design projects. Student learning will be enriched by working with and gaining feedback from external stakeholders - such as social movement groups or third sector organisations - on their design projects.

Intended Learning Outcomes

demonstrate critical engagement with the political economic forces driving the datafication of society and the impacts of this: 1
recognise the forms of exploitation and injustice perpetuated by datafication for environments, individuals, communities and societies: 1,2
evidence critical engagement with the framework of design justice and its application in a range of contemporary contexts: 2
apply learning to the development of responsible and equitable digital design projects: 2

Study hours

48 hours of interactive workshops.
4 hours of tutorials with module tutors and external partners
96 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: Essay weighted 30%
Case study analysis
Students will select a data driven artefact to analyse for their 1500 word case study. The case study should present a critical analysis, supported by academic sources, of what data is used, how and why, examining questions of exploitation and social injustice.

2: Group Assessment weighted 70%
Design justice project
In small groups (of 3/4) students will ideate, design, implement, and evaluate a design project based on the needs of an external organisation such as a social movement group or third sector organisation. The final project portfolio will include the design product - which may be an interactive artefact such as a game or application, or a visual project such as a campaign. The portfolio will also include an individual 1500 word critical reflection evaluating how design and data justice principles were applied at each stage of the project. Marking of the assessment will be done individually, incorporating an assessment of the group work (50%) and of the quality of the individual student's reflection (50%)

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: 17 March 2026