Course syllabus adopted 2025-02-09 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).
Overview
- Swedish nameTeorier och perspektiv på arkitektur
- CodeACE670
- Credits15 Credits
- OwnerTKARK
- Education cycleFirst-cycle
- Main field of studyArchitecture
- ThemeArchitectural design project 4.5 c
- DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
- GradingUG - Pass, Fail
Course round 1
- Teaching language Swedish
- Application code 45138
- Open for exchange studentsNo
- Only students with the course round in the programme overview.
Credit distribution
Module | Sp1 | Sp2 | Sp3 | Sp4 | Summer | Not Sp | Examination dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0125 Written and oral assignments, part A 4.5 c Grading: UG | 4.5 c | ||||||
| 0225 Written and oral assignments, part B 10.5 c Grading: UG | 3 c | 7.5 c |
In programmes
Examiner
Julia Fredriksson- Programansvarig, Urban Design and Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Eligibility
General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Specific entry requirements
The same as for the programme that owns the course.Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Course specific prerequisites
- Architectural design and aesthetics, or equivalent
- Architecture, theory and sustainability, or equivalent
- History of architecture, or equivalent
- Urban theory, or equivalent
- Form, space and structure, or equivalent
Aim
Theoretical perspectives within architecture form the foundation for how architects and researchers analyze, understand, and transform buildings and cities, as well as understand their impact on society at large, contributing to a deeper knowledge of architectural practice and theory. The course's purpose is twofold. Firstly, students are trained to write an academic essay or paper, and become familiar with the academic seminar culture. Students independently search for information and are trained to critically evaluate and analyze it, formulate a clear question, structure extensive material, and become familiar with reference management and other formalities. In addition to this, the students are trained in both receiving and giving constructive criticism. The student deepens their understanding of architecture as well as urban design and planning through critical analysis and reflection and learns to apply theory in practical discussion and analysis.Secondly, students' knowledge and understanding of architecture and urban planning are deepened within a chosen theme, which will serve as input to the bachelor's project taken concurrently. By combining theory and practice, the course aims to shape future architects who can both deepen their understanding within a chosen theme and critically analyze reference projects based on the chosen theme, identify design strategies, and communicate their ideas through various expressions.
Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
- Write an essay or paper within a theme relevant to architecture based on research, formulate a clear question, structure extensive material, and handle references and other formalities applicable within the field of architecture.
- Interpret and critically review existing research using the course literature and information that is searched independently, critically evaluate and analyze it in relation to the chosen theme.
- Understand and apply scientific methods to analyze and interpret architecture and critically review reference projects in relation to the chosen theme and identify lessons (design components or strategies) that can be used in their own design work.
- Organize a seminar for an in-depth discussion, interpretation, and critical review of scientific texts and reference projects, as well as peer-to-peer review of their own projects.
- Explain the interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary nature of architecture and demonstrate the ability to combine various scientific fields and practical understanding by integrating research results and review of reference projects into their own design project (bachelor's project).
Content
The main task is a written scientific essay or paper on one of the themes within the field of architecture proposed within the framework of the course. The course includes the use of existing research, development of academic questions, and method selection, compiled into a scientific essay or paper with a correct apparatus and reference list. The task is carried out individually. Each theme is defined by some questions, a limited number of articles, and a list of references to additional literature. Themes are developed and established by the course instructors.Furthermore, the essay/paper should be linked to a reference project, chosen independently, to be analyzed in relation to the chosen theme. The course is taken concurrently with the bachelor's project, and the aim is for these courses to interact, with the bachelor's project serving as the practical application. The student is given the opportunity to identify design strategies relevant to the bachelor's project, analyze the bachelor's project during its development, and reflect on its results. If the courses are not taken concurrently, another project may be used for analysis.
The course consists of two modules:
- Assignment (Part A) focuses on the development of a question within a theme relevant to architecture, serving as the basis for the essay/paper, including choice of methods, selection of literature and reference projects relevant to the question and the bachelor's project in the concurrent course (bachelor's project).
- Assignment (Part B) focus on finalizing the essay or paper within a theme relevant to architecture further as well as discussing and presenting it.
Organisation
The course is planned and conducted by a teaching team. Students choose between different themes for their paper. Each theme is associated with a supervisor. Seminars, supervision, and critique take place within each theme. The chosen project should be explored within this theme. The goal is for the essay/paper to serve as input to the bachelor's project taken concurrently.Students will develop their ability to present their ideas both in writing and orally. They will develop and participate in seminars where they oppose, analyze, and provide feedback on other students' texts, strengthening their critical and analytical skills. Students will also understand the scientific breadth and interdisciplinary necessity within the interdisciplinary nature of the field of architecture.
The following elements form the core of the course:
- General lectures on the scientific method, writing, and architectural theory
- Theme-focused lectures and seminars
- Continuous submissions
- Conducting seminars
- Group discussion and feedback
- Critique sessions and final presentation
- Opposition of others' material
- Conduct and present an exhibition
Literature
Literature will be distributed at the course start.Examination including compulsory elements
Examination takes place through the following elements:- Continuous examination of the essay or paper through the submission of work material weekly and submission of the completed text, as well as presentation, in-depth discussion, and opposition at seminars that primarily examine learning objectives 1, 2, and 3.
- Conducting a seminar and exhibition focused on the chosen theme and project, primarily examining learning objectives 4 and 5.
- Active participation in the course and active attendance at mandatory elements.
A student who is not approved in the course after the regular examination must be given the opportunity to be examined through supplementation after the end of the course if the examiner considers it feasible. If, after two attempts at completion, the student still cannot be approved, the student must retake the course. Assessment of completions takes place during Chalmers' re-examination periods. It is the student's responsibility to check reported study results in Ladok after each study period and to contact the course examiner for instructions on supplementation if an approved result is missing.
The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.