COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: SOCIAL AND CULTURAL THEMES IN URBAN ARCHITECTURE
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
ARCH 511 C 9 3 0 0 3 6
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) NA
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Dr. Fabio Naselli fnaselli@epoka.edu.al , Monday, 15:30 – 16:30
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Elective
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) Integrated second cycle study program in Architecture (5 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time: A107
Code of Ethics: Code of Ethics of EPOKA University
Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement: 75%
Course Description: This course explores a variety of theories which explain and document the relationship between humans and the environment they build; outlines the research methods appropriate to each theory. Topics include the sociology of taste, personal and societal values in design, participatory design, semantic ethnography, environments for special populations such as the elderly, and building types such as housing, hospitals, schools, offices, and urban parks.
Course Objectives: A City of ever-changing cityscapes: Tirona 2022-23. That is the theme the course intends to deal with during this fall semester 2022-23. First by observing and then by caring for it through multi-approaches and its integration among the several cityscapes, rising architectures, and different city users in which any city is shaped. The general aim of the course is to carry on a broad and holistic reflection on a range of conventional urban "themes" but with renewed eyes.
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
1 Human settlements evolutionary layers
2 Urban Sociology themes
3 Culture and Identity relevance
4 Urban Architecture and Urban Spaces
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 A City of ever-changing cityscapes: Tirona 2022-23 (Opening Lecture + Course organization)
2 Lecture 1 - Urban Open Spaces to Places in the time of crisis (the revised roles of both public and private spaces within the city)
3 Lecture 2 - A renewed Human-centered City (new urban circulations and new city relationships)
4 Lecture 3 - Urban strategies and tactics for resilience in facing the challenges (development strategies and urban tactics)
5 Self-training part – Open Workshop organization - tentative date 13.01.2020 (topics, invitations, communication, graphic, framework, ICT tools, etc.)
6 Midterm Exams
7 Lecture 4 – Insights on Urban Resilience + Open Workshop organization advancements
8 Lecture 5 – Insights on crucial issues in both design and governance within the contemporary city + Open Workshop organization ends
9 Open Workshop: 2020 a.C.: A Year without Public Space under the COVID-19 Pandemic
10 Open Workshop: 2020 a.C.: A Year without Public Space under the COVID-19 Pandemic
11 Lecture 6 – Insights and outlooks onto the workshop outputs (open discussion)
12 Lecture 7 – Insights and outlooks referred to Tirana's ongoing development as a case study
13 Lecture 8 – Term paper topic draft's oral submission + open discussion
14 Lecture 9 – Insights and conclusion
Prerequisite(s): -
Textbook(s): Readings and other materials will be released or suggested during the course
Additional Literature: Readings and other materials will be released or suggested during the course
Laboratory Work: 50%
Computer Usage: Yes
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 Learning on recent developments in urban architecture as referred to the current multy layered Med City
2 Dealing with multidisciplinary & multiscale approaches in urban designing
3 Exploring advancements in the concept of city users in approaching any built environments
4 Social and cultural awareness in transforming urban settlements
5 Urban Spaces and Public Places in the citizens perception
6 A need for a renewed Human-centered City
7 Urban strategies and tactics to raise urban resilience in facing unexpected challenges
8 Insights on Urban old & new concepts
9 Insights on crucial issues in both design and governance within the contemporary city
10 Insights and outlooks referred to Tirana's ongoing development as a case study
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Integrated second cycle study program in Architecture (5 years) Program
1 Speaking and Writing Skills Ability to read, write, listen, and speak effectively 5
2 Critical Thinking Skills Ability to raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test them against relevant criteria and standards 5
3 Graphics Skills Ability to use appropriate representational media, including freehand drawing and computer technology, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process 5
4 Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work 5
5 Formal Ordering Systems Understanding of the fundamentals of visual perception and the principles and systems of order that inform two- and three-dimensional design, architectural composition, and urban design 3
6 Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites 5
7 Collaborative Skills Ability to recognize the varied talent found in interdisciplinary design project teams in professional practice and work in collaboration with other students as members of a design team 5
8 International Traditions Understanding of the International architectural canons and traditions in architecture, landscape and urban design, as well as the climatic, technological, culture-economic, and other cultural factors that have shaped and sustained them 5
9 National and Regional Traditions Understanding of national traditions and the local regional heritage in architecture, landscape design and urban design, including the vernacular tradition 5
10 Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects 5
11 Conservation and Restoration of Historical Districts Knowledge on historical districts and the gain of conservation consciousness documentation of historical buildings and the understanding the techniques which are needed to prepare restoration projects. 3
12 Human Behavior Understanding of the theories and methods of inquiry that seek to clarify the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment 5
13 Human Diversity Understanding of the diverse needs, values, behavioral norms, physical ability, and social and spatial patterns that characterize different cultures and individuals and the implication of this diversity for the societal roles and responsibilities of architects 5
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)
1
30
Lab/Practical Exams(s)
1
35
Term Paper
1
10
Attendance
10
Other
1
15
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 5 80
Mid-terms 1 3 3
Assignments 2 3 6
Final examination 1 6 6
Other 1 7 7
Total Work Load:
150
Total Work Load/25(h):
6
ECTS Credit of the Course:
6
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

Concluding Remarks will be provided at the end of Semester