Course Syllabus

Course Information：

Year-Semester	Course Number	Course Name	Phase	Credits	Hours	Required/Elective	Instructor	Class	Student NO.	Withdraw	Note
Fall Semester Year 2026	367129	Circular Design and Strategy	1	3.0	3	★	HO,MENG-XUN	GID	35	0

Course Plan：

Instructor

HO,MENG-XUN　Office Hours

mengxunho@ntut.edu.tw

Last Updated

2026-08-11 16:23:54

Course Objective

面對全球環境與社會挑戰的迫切需求，本課程引導學生深入探討循環設計的理論、原則與策略性應用。課程內容將涵蓋循環經濟、生命週期評估、循環設計等核心框架，教導學生如何分析產品與服務在整個生命週期中的環境與社會衝擊。學生將學習探索創新的永續材料與產品製造流程，並發展兼具經濟可行性、生態永續性與社會公平性的設計策略。透過案例研究、小組的實作專案，本課程期望培養學生具備策略性遠見與實踐能力，成為推動永續未來的設計領導者。
In response to the urgent need to address global environmental and social challenges, this course guides students in an in-depth exploration of the theories,principles, and strategic applications of circular design. The curriculum will cover core frameworks such as the circular economy, life cycle assessment, and circular design, teaching students how to analyze the environmental and social impacts of products and services throughout their entire life cycles. Students will learn to explore innovative sustainable materials and manufacturing
processes, and develop design strategies that balance economic viability,ecological sustainability, and social equity. Through case studies and group-based hands-on projects, this course aims to cultivate students’ strategic vision and practical skills, preparing them to become design leaders who drive a
sustainable future.

Course Schedule
(Week 1-16)

第 01 週 (09/09) ｜ 改變的迫切性：設計的責任
第 02 週 (09/16) ｜ 循環設計的核心原則
第 03 週 (09/23) ｜ 循環經濟：從線性經濟到循環經濟
第 04 週 (09/30) ｜ 生命週期評估 (LCA) I
第 05 週 (10/07) ｜ 生命週期評估 (LCA) II
第 06 週 (10/14) ｜ 系統思考
第 07 週 (10/21) ｜ 永續材料與製程
第 08 週 (10/28) ｜ 驅動行為改變的設計
第 09 週 (11/04) ｜ 期中提案準備
第 10 週 (11/11) ｜ 期中循環設計提案發表
第 11 週 (11/18) ｜ 社會創新與包容性設計
第 12 週 (11/25) ｜ 永續商業模式
第 13 週 (12/02) ｜ 永續策略與溝通
第 14 週 (12/09) ｜ 政策、設計與未來
第 15 週 (12/16) ｜ 期末專案衝刺與發表準備
第 16 週 (12/23) ｜ 期末永續策略專案發表

Week 01 (09/09) ｜ The Urgency of Change: The Responsibility of Design
Week 02 (09/16) ｜ Core Principles of Circular Design
Week 03 (09/23) ｜ Circular Economy: From Linear Economy to Circular Economy
Week 04 (09/30) ｜ Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) I
Week 05 (10/07) ｜ Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) II
Week 06 (10/14) ｜ Systems Thinking
Week 07 (10/21) ｜ Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Week 08 (10/28) ｜ Design for Behavior Change
Week 09 (11/04) ｜ Midterm Proposal Preparation
Week 10 (11/11) ｜ Midterm Circular Design Proposal Presentation
Week 11 (11/18) ｜ Social Innovation and Inclusive Design
Week 12 (11/25) ｜ Sustainable Business Models
Week 13 (12/02) ｜ Sustainability Strategy and Brand Communication
Week 14 (12/09) ｜ Policy, Design, and the Future
Week 15 (12/16) ｜ Final Project Sprint and Presentation Preparation
Week 16 (12/23) ｜ Final Sustainability Strategy Project Presentation

Flexible Learning
(Week 17-18)

Category	● 參與校內外活動(講座、工作坊、參訪)或競賽(Participation in on-campus or off-campus activities (lectures, workshops, visits) or competitions) ● AI 輔助學習與工具應用(AI-assisted learning and tool application)
Content	閱讀永續相關書籍或參觀永續相關的展覽，反思課程的學習與設計師的責任，撰寫2頁A4的閱讀/參訪心得。第 17 週 (12/30) ｜自主學習：永續議題探究與參訪 (I) 第 18 週 (01/06) ｜自主學習：永續議題探究與參訪 (II) Read sustainability-related books or visit sustainability-related exhibitions and Write a 2-page A4 reflection report. Week 17 (12/30) ｜ Exploration of Sustainability-Related Issues Week 18 (01/06) ｜ Visit on Sustainability-Related Issues
Hours	6
Learning Outcomes	撰寫2頁A4的閱讀/參訪心得 Write a 2-page A4 reflection report
Assessment Percentage	5%

Evaluation and grading policy

1. 作業練習與小組合作(20%): 課堂上會有簡單練習，期中/期末會有小組互評，以組員互評的評價作為成績。
2. 生命週期評估報告 (20%): 針對一現有的產品，進行簡化的生命週期評估，並以報告形式呈現其主要環境衝擊與改善潛力。
3. 期中循環設計挑戰 (30%): 將選定的產品，從循環經濟的角度進行深度分析與批判，藉由材料、設計、服務或系統的轉變，將其重新設計為循環產品。
4. 期末永續策略專案 (30%): 延續之前期中的專案，提出一個具創新性的完整服務系統提案。發展一個完整的永續設計與商業策略專案，包含設計細節、商業模式與影響力評估，並進行發表。

1. Assignments and Group Work (20%): Simple assignments will be given in class, and there will be peer evaluations among groups during the midterm and final exams; grades will be based on the peer evaluations.
2. Life Cycle Assessment Report (20%): Conduct a simplified life cycle assessment of an existing product and present its primary environmental impacts and potential for improvement in the form of a report.
3. Midterm Circular Design Challenge (30%): Conduct an in-depth and critical analysis of a selected product from a circular economy perspective and redesign it as a circular product through changes in materials, design, services, or systems.
4. Final Sustainability Strategy Project (30%): Building on the mid-term project, students will propose an innovative, comprehensive service system. They will develop a complete sustainable design and business strategy project.

Materials

All right reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Foreign-language textbooks:No

本課程無指定教科書，將提供各週主題的相關閱讀材料。以下為建議的參考書目：
1.	Papanek, V. (1984). Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change. Thames & Hudson.
2.	McDonough, W., & Braungart, M. (2002). Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. North Point Press.
3.	Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/
4.	UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
5.	黃育徵 (2017)。循環經濟（第一版）。天下雜誌。
6.	社企流、願景工程基金會（2022）。永續力（第一版）。果力文化。

References
This course does not have a designated textbook; relevant materials for each week's topics will be provided. The following are recommended reference books:
1.	McDonough, W., & Braungart, M. (2002). Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. North Point Press.
2.	Papanek, V. (1984). Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change. Thames & Hudson.
3.	Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (n.d.). The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/
4.	UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
5.	Huang, Y. C. (2017). Circular Economy (1st ed.) [循環經濟]. CommonWealth Magazine.
6.	Social Enterprise Insights & Vision Project Foundation (2022). Sustainability Power (1st ed.) [永續力]. Guoli Culture.

The access to curricular consultation

mengxunho@ntut.edu.tw

Expanding teaching and resources

● 參與式創新教學 (Participatory & Innovative Teaching)
強調學生參與與產出，導入翻轉、PBL/專題、設計思考或遊戲化等策略。
Emphasizes student engagement and outcomes by adopting strategies such as Flipped Classroom, PBL (Problem/Project- Based Learning), Design Thinking, or Gamification.
● 數位教材資源應用 (Application of Digital Resources)
採用影音多媒體或具開放授權之資源（如OCW、開放教科書）作為主要或輔助教材。
Adopts multimedia or open-licensed resources (e.g., OCW, Open Textbooks) as primary or supplementary teaching materials.

The course corresponds to the SDGs

SDG1：消除貧窮（No Poverty）
SDG2：消除飢餓（Zero Hunger）
SDG3：良好健康和福祉（Good Health and Well-being）
SDG4：優質教育（Quality Education）
SDG5：性別平等（Gender Equality）
SDG6：潔淨水與衛生（Clean Water and Sanitation）
SDG7：可負擔的潔淨能源（Affordable and Clean Energy）
SDG8：尊嚴就業與經濟發展（Decent Work and Economic Growth）
SDG9：產業創新與基礎設施（Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure）
SDG10：減少不平等（Reduced Inequalities）
SDG11：永續城市與社區（Sustainable Cities and Communities）
SDG12：負責任的消費與生產（Responsible Consumption and Production）
SDG13：氣候行動（Climate Action）
SDG17：夥伴關係（Partnerships for the Goals）

Does the course incorporate AI

● 使用生成式AI作為教學過程的輔助工具（Use generative AI tools as an aid to the teaching process）
● 鼓勵學生使用生成式AI工具（Encourage students to use generative AI tools）

Note