ARK-E5512 - Pre-Thesis Seminar, Lecture, 17.9.2021-17.12.2021

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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 thesis preparation seminar provides a setting for research that involves analysis, interpretation and critical thinking. The objective is to help students situate, define, and refine the parameters of a thesis project to be executed in a subsequent semester.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 17.09.2021 - 17.12.2021

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Tommy Lindgren

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The majority of work is to be conducted independently, assisted by weekly classes that include lectures, student presentation/class discussion of assigned readings and individual tutorials. Lectures will address the key components of the Thesis:
    Thesis proposal, Thesis research, Project plan
    During the sessions discussions are held in groups, divided according to Thesis topic descriptions (design/research/etc.) - the groups will be at the core of the course, giving the students a forum where to sound out their ideas and learn from each other (sources, approaches, references, problem solving,...) - the teachers will act as facilitators of the discussion, dividing discussion time evenly, and if needed, guiding the discussion towards the main goals of each days discussion topic.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Participating in seminar (lectures) 36h (36+36)

    Preparing written reports and plans (5500 words, approx. 10 pages) 54h

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Material provided in the lectures and literature:

    Booth et al.: The Craft of Research, 2nd ed., the University of Chicago Press 1995
    Flick: An Introduction to Qualitative Research, 4th ed., SAGE 2009
    Gerber and Kurath: Handbook of Methods for Architecture and Urban Design, Triest Verlag, 2018
    Groat and Wang: Architectural research Methods, John Wiley & Sons 2012
    Till, Jeremy: Architectural Research: Three Myths and One Model, 2008

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Period:

    2020-2021 Autumn I-II

    2021-2022 Autumn I-II

    Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=ARK-E5512

    Registration for Courses: Sisu replaces Oodi on 9 August, 2021. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-in-aalto-arts

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof