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Unit outline_

ARCH4008: Architecture Research Areas

Semester 2, 2024 [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 Rebecca McLaughlan, rebecca.mclaughlan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rebecca McLaughlan, rebecca.mclaughlan@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Sara Nourmusavi Nasab, sara.nourmusavinasab@sydney.edu.au
Jialing Xie, jialing.xie@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Planning an architectural research project
Written assessment
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 15 Nov 2024 at 11:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Selecting appropriate methods for architectural research
Written assessment
40% Week 09
Due date: 27 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3

Assessment summary

  • In Assessment 1 students will analyse 2 journal articles relative to an individual research topic of interest; and demonstrate an understanding of how different methods and approaches to their topic of choice would deliver different kinds of knowledge outcomes.
  • In Assessment 2 students will propose a detailed plan for undertaking a programme of research. This plan needs to include justification/ positioning of the research topic of interest; judicious selection of a method and sources for undertaking the research; and state who would benefit from it (e.g. who is the audience, how will they use it?).

Detailed information regarding each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Regarding the Responsible Use of AI: to understand what appropriate and responsible uses of AI might be for this subject, refer to the lecture provided on Canvas, which also gives the requirements around appropriate acknowledgement of its use. You are not expected to use AI, in fact, it is discoruaged for this subject given it seems unlikely to offer any major benefits at this point in its development. However, if chosing to use AI please remember that a failure to explicitly acknowledge any and all uses of AI in your assessment tasks is tanamount to plagiarism and will be treated as such.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, late penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: A deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date, OR, after 20 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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Pre-semester Log onto Canvas pre-semester to watch the following on-line mini lectures: (1) Welcome to Architectural Research Areas (2) Using AI responsibly in architectural research. (3) Case studies versus ordinary studies - there's actually a difference! Independent study (0.5 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 01 Refer to Canvas for a detailed Course Schedule; the format for Weeks 1 -11 is a 1-hour lecture followed by a 2-hour tutorial (3 HOURS PER WEEK). Lecture (33 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Note: Week 12 is a scheduled WELLNESS BREAK (no lecture or tutorial) to enable you to focus on your studio submission. Independent study (0.01 hr)  
Week 13 SYMPOSIUM: Formative Presentations to provide you with feedback for Assignment 2 (5 mins pres + 5 mins feedback). These will be scheduled throughout the day in 3 streams: 8.30-11.30, 12.00-3.00 & 3.30-6.30 (individual times to be confirmed). Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

It is a School requirement that you attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study (refer Part 3, 8.2 of this Document). 

Please also refer to the Resolutions of the School of Architecture, Design & Planning: 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.

Required readings

There are required readings for Weeks 2-11 of this course -these must be completed before the lecture each week -please refer the Course Schedule on the Canvas site for details (you can find copies of these readings under the Reading List tab on Canvas).

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 is the first semester that Architectural Research Methods has been co-ordinated by Rebecca McLaughlan; and the course and assessment design has been closely informed by her experience teaching the capstone semester over the previous 2 years. Writing an 8000-word dissertation for the first time can be really challenging so we have targeted this iteration of Architectural Research Methods to (hopefully) assist in making the capstone subject a little easier by focusing on the following: • Developing your understanding the close relationship of research questions to methods and approaches in achieving high quality research outcomes. This requires you to develop an understanding of the whole smorgasbord of methods that are available for undertaking architectural research. • Developing an understanding of how to read academic literature properly – what to think about, what to pay attention to, what to question – because it’s mostly through this process that we learn to position and to structure a convincing research argument.

Additional costs

No additional costs are anticipated for completing this course.

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.