Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will recognize the intrinsic features, methodological opportunities and the multidisciplinary nature of design disciplines such as architecture. The student will have the basic skills to follow the research scene and apply research methods and results critically and independently in their professional practice. The course will introduce the student to the key resources to develop one's scientific thinking, academic argumentation skills and knowledge of good scientific practices.
Credits: 5
Schedule: 03.03.2021 - 26.05.2021
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Anni Vartola
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Anni Vartola
Contact information for the course (valid 03.02.2021-21.12.2112):
Contact via email: anni.vartola@aalto.fi.
Drop me an email and book a Zoom meeting; I am available for consultation by appointment. I am happy to help you with any issues concerning this course.
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The course will introduce to the basics of architectural research and design research, their methods and core ideals. We will analyse research articles and dissertations from the field of architecture and design, and discuss doing research in the light of topical examples and small exercises. We will also meet scholars, designers and other professionals who have recently completed their doctoral theses, work as researchers or apply research in their own practice.
Applies in this implementation:
The course classes are held remotely in Zoom. The classes consist of discussions of course literature, analyses of research papers, and Q&A sessions with visiting scholars. There will also be regular homework such as position point preparations and
a few small hands-on exercises at class such as concept definitions and information retrieval drills.The course literature consists of textbooks and papers (or excerpts of books) related to architectural and design research. The course literature is studied in a collective and discursive way: book reviews are done in groups; paper analyses are done individually
as written reviews (summaries) and then discussed at the classes.After the course, the student should:
- understand the basic concepts used in scientific inquiry and argumentation
- have an idea of the academic discipline of architecture and how scientific thinking relates to academic research in architecture
- be able to distinguish between professional and scientific discourses in the field of architecture
- be able compose a credible research plan for their own research projects.
It would also be nice if the student would:
- be able to and be keen to use architectural research publications and to follow recent research according to their interests
- be able to apply scientific thinking to their own academic and professional activities.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The course is a discursice series of classes that convenes every other week; altogether 7 times à 2,5 hrs. The students must be present at all the 7 classes; any absence must be compensated with individually negotiated extra coursework.
Applies in this implementation:
The assessment is pass/fail. The completion of the course (pass) entails attendance at all the classes and completing all the coursework. In case of absence, the student must contact the teacher and negotiate substituting work and its deadline.
These substituting assignments are usually a short essay or an oral presentation about a book, a journal issue, a research topic or equivalent. For essays, the requested length is c. 600 words / 1 absence; for an oral presentation, the requested length
is 15 minutes / 1 absence. Due to the time limits of the course schedule, the oral presentations may have to be scheduled after the official course programme as a separate event.
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The workload amounts to 5 credit points which entails an estimated amount of 133 hours of work: 17,5 contact hours, 17,5 hrs group work, and 98 hrs of independent work.
In order to have enough time to read and reflect on the course material, the classes are every 2nd week.
Applies in this implementation:
The course yields 5 credit points (c. 133 hrs) which, at a rough estimate, entails 8–10 hrs of work per calendar week. In 2021, the workload comprises of following activities:
- 7 classes à 2,5 hrs every 2nd week (18 hours of contact learning)
- Book Reviews as groupwork; entails also individual work such as reading and preparation for the group meetings (estimate c. 85 hours)
- Individual homework as listed in the program on the course MyCourses site
- Course Diary on MyCourses
- preparing for the classes.
As the course language is English and the course material is written in English, the workload depends greatly on the individual student’s language skills and experience in reading scholarly English.
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The study material includes textbooks on architectural and design research and research methodology as well as a selection of recently published research papers. The full list of readings will be announced on the course's MyCourses platform at the start of the course.
Applies in this implementation:
Full literature list is available on the MyCourses course site.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Details on the schedule
Applies in this implementation:
The detailed course schedule is available on the MyCourses course site.
- Teacher: Kivimäki Ville
- Teacher: Vartola Anni