This course introduces the main theoretical frameworks and methodologies that have shaped and continue to shape the field of Design Studies. Following a seminar format, key texts will be explored and used to structure a set of thematic discussions that tackle the intricate relationship of design to several social themes. We will explore the ethical and political dimensions of design, venturing into questions of gender, class, and processes of racialization. From the 1960s notion of wicked problem and the emergence of design research, to current approaches in speculative design, design activism and practices of collective making, we will investigate design studies from a material culture perspective, while inviting into the discussion concepts and discourses from other fields of knowledge such as philosophy, social theory, and gender studies, to name a few. Students will be assessed through a combination of written assignments, in-class presentations, and active seminar participation.