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Unit outline_

ARCH4008: Architecture Research Areas

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Architecture Research Areas familiarises students with the three broad research areas of: architectural design; architectural theory and history; and architectural technologies. Academics with differing backgrounds and approaches to architectural research contribute to a suite of lectures, discussing their own projects and initiatives within the broader context of their research area. Students come to understand the theoretical underpinnings of each area and become generally conversant with their contemporary concerns and methodologies. They conduct a limited-scope research project of their own that enables them to pursue their own emerging area of interest in architectural research.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Architecture
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
BDES2028
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jennifer Ferng, jennifer.ferng@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Individual research project
Architectural design or written assessment
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 13 Nov 2023 at 09:00
Design project, report, or 2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Methods in the built environment
Written assessment
40% Week 09
Due date: 06 Oct 2023 at 08:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Reflective essay: students will produce two summaries of selected lectures and choose one reading (that matches their academic interests) that links both lectures together. The reflective essay should highlight the methodologies presented by each guest lecturer and how/why these methods might be useful for the student. Each student will also lead a group discussion on one of the week’s lectures (3 points).
  • Buildings and texts: students conduct a limited-scope research project that addresses a given architectural problem. As part of the second assessment, each student will lead a group discussion on one of the assigned books (5 points).

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 02 Architectural design and practice Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Methods related to architecture Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Urban planning Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Methods related to urban planning Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Urban data and urbanism Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Methods related to urban data and urbanism Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Architecture and social justice Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Methods related to architecture and social justice Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Creative practice Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Methods related to creative practice Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Architectural design and robotics Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Methods related to architectural design and robotics Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Architecture and computation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Methods in architecture and computation Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 09 Texts: Yuriko Furihata, Climatic Media Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Texts: Andreas Malm, Fossil Capital Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Texts: Kathryn Yusoff, Billion Black Anthropocenes and Jan Zalasiewicz, Anthropocene as a Geological Unit Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Final presentations and individual consultations Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand diverse research methods from architectural design, architectural history, architectural science, and other affiliated fields
  • LO2. clearly express an original argument about architecture through research
  • LO3. conduct individual research using primary sources, design, or other modes of research
  • LO4. engage with scholarly research presentations and ask questions
  • LO5. frame and sustain a body of research using original ideas about scholarly sources
  • LO6. communicate with peers in engaged high level discussions.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This iteration of this unit uses a series of guest fireside chats to encourage students to reflect and think more deeply about research and methods in the built environment. Both assessments form one larger project over the semester. For 2023, all lectures and tutorials are conducted in person.

Additional costs

Depends on the format of the final submission: drafting materials; model making materials; printing and binding for an essay/report.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.