Philosophy and Practice
Undergraduate
CUR-BIA280 2025Previously CUR-BIA120
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Feel out the relationship between interior environments and their occupants. Engage with symbols and aesthetics. Investigate the tension between modern trends and cultural heritage. Deepen your understanding of design, drawing and modelling.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 25 May 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $1,286
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Philosophy and Practice
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- critique design discipline theory, philosophy, practices and key design discipline issues in relation to design scenarios.
- formulate a philosophical argument in relation to design practice.
- synthesise developing social and cultural awareness including a knowledge of globally diverse Indigenous perspectives in relation to the theory and practice of design.
- incorporate theoretical understandings into a creative work.
- communicate the philosophy of design practice orally, visually and in writing.
- What is Interior Architecture in the 21st Century?
- Ways of Looking and Thinking
- Person-Environment Relationships and Aesthetics and Experience
- Occupation and Rituals + Body and Performance Theories
- Meaning, Symbols and NVC + Social Justice and Social Sustainability
- Indigenous, Cultural & Global Communities
- Social Organisations and Social Practices
- Social Responsibility and Social Justice
- 21st Century and Beyond
- Creative Communities: Philosophy and Practice
This subject was previously known as BIA120 Philosophy and Practice.
Philosophy and Practice offers an introduction to key philosophies, issues, practices, theories and concepts related to design practice, in particular design of the interior. Students will explore questions of identity, the person-community-environment relationship, aesthetics and experience, symbols and meaning, and occupation and habitation that is inclusive of indigenous perspectives. Principles of design practice, and theoretical frameworks relating to design methodologies are also considered. Students will develop an understanding of the concepts of community, cultural diversity, social sustainability, social equity within local and global contexts. Students will investigate design as a process, as communication and representation, and importantly as ways of questioning and thinking.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject, you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integritymodule.
- Project Pitch (20%)
- Essay (40%)
- Project (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- CUR-IND-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Interior Design
- CUR-IAH-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Applied Science (Interior Architecture) (Honours)
Elective
- CUR-BAS-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Applied Science (Architectural Science)
- CUR-CME-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management)
- CUR-FAST-DEG-2025 - Fast track your Curtin on campus study
- CUR-HID-CTF-2025 - Undergraduate Certificate in Interior Design
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
CUR-BIA120 (Not currently available)
Others
Pre Requisite: Successful completion of 150 credit points.
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Audio video equipment required
- Software requirements - Software purchase required
- Other requirements - Access to internet required
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Undergraduate
CUR-IND-DEGBachelor of Applied Science (Interior Architecture) (Honours)
Undergraduate
CUR-IAH-DEGBachelor of Applied Science (Architectural Science)
Undergraduate
CUR-BAS-DEGBachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management)
Undergraduate
CUR-CME-DEGFast track your Curtin on campus study
Undergraduate
CUR-FAST-DEGUndergraduate Certificate in Interior Design
Undergraduate
CUR-HID-CTF