Two decades into this century, our lives have been impacted by a constellation of interconnected emerging issues: from global pandemics to Black Lives Matter, from the “Me Too” movement, from climate emergency to economic depression. This course considers how design intervenes in, and responds to contemporary contexts and crises. What is the capacity of design to pose other possible worlds? We will examine the role of design in its potential to catalyze positive change as well as perpetuate systemic inequalities. How might design depart from disciplinary norms and cannons of earlier design movements and respond to current demands for a society of greater equity, care and justice for all. The course will utilize the format of a series of student-led "assembly" events, inviting diverse sets of guests to debate and dialogue through prompts. A seminar component accompanies the assembly planning work, followed by processes of generative analysis and synthesis to orient design practice.