COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURE

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 121	A	1	3	0	0	3	4

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:	Assoc.Prof.Dr. Odeta Manahasa odurmishi@epoka.edu.al , Wednesady(s) 10.30-12.30
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Integrated second cycle study program in Architecture (5 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:	-
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	75%
Course Description:	Architectural culture, presentation techniques, techniques of architectural analysis, observing the environment, practices on gaining the ability to evaluate the environmental values, architectural design process, general knowledge on construction systems.
Course Objectives:	The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to the scope and vocabulary of architecture. The student is expected to develop an understanding of the phenomenon of form in general and to identify the specificities of architectural form and its distinctions from other forms in nature and the human world at different scales and levels of space. These specificities and distinctions include perceptual values related with the corporeal, spatial and surface characteristics and use of principles of visual organization, use of structural principles and systems, and the utilitarian programme of architecture.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	architectural vocabulary
2	architecture culture
3	concepts of design,
4	composition and types of compositions
5	scale and proportion

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	“Orientation” : What is Architecture?
2	"Form: Natural Form and Human Artifact" Moneo, R. "This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.On Typology." (PDF 10.3MB) Oppositions 13 (1978): 22–45.
3	"Human Artifact: Types of Design' and 'Kinds of Purpose'" Le Corbusier. "Regulating Lines." In Towards a New Architecture. Dover Publications, 1985, pp. 65–83.
4	"Perceptual Laws of Visual Organization: Gestalts in Architecture" Snyder, J.C., & Catanese, A.J. (1979). Introduction to architecture.
5	"Scale and Proportion" in Experiencing Architecture. MIT Press, 1964, pp. 127–58/Design Q & A. Directed by Charles, and Ray Eames. Color. 5 min. 1972. The Films of Charles and Ray Eames. Vol.
6	Kieran, S., and J. Timberlake. "Argument." In Refabricating Architecture: How Manufacturing Methodologies are Poised to Transform Building Construction. McGraw-Hill Professional, 2003, pp. x–xiiRasmussen, S. E. "Rhythm." in Experiencing Architecture. MIT Press, 1964
7	Rasmussen, S. E. "Light and Color." in Experiencing Architecture. MIT Press, 1964
8	MID-TERM EXAM
9	"Structure in Architecture" Aesthetics and Technology in Building: Charles Eliot Norton Lectures (1961–1962) (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1965)
10	"Programme" and Seating Arrangement Goodman P. (1962). Utopian essays and practical proposals. Vintage House.
11	" Education of an Architect"in Geoffrey Broadbent (1973), Design in Architecture: Architecture and the Human Sciences
12	Busquets, J. "Defining the Urbanistic Project: Ten Contemporary Approaches." In Urban Design. Edited by Alex Krieger and William S. Saunders. University of Minnesota Press, 2009, pp. 131–35/schwarzpictures.com. "DE DRAGER / A Film About Architect John Habraken." March 9, 2013. Vimeo. http://vimeo.com/61410893.
13	Imagination and Design:Cross, N. (2007). Designerly Ways ofKnowing. Berlin: Verlag (p.54-58, The role of sketching in design)
14	Architecture and Interdisciplinary Design; Lawson, B. (1997). How designers think: The design process demystified. Oxford: Architectural Press.

Prerequisite(s):	-
Textbook(s):	weekly readings from different books, present in the table of contents.
Additional Literature:	-
Laboratory Work:	-
Computer Usage:	-
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Competence to continue the studies conducted in parallel courses and in upper grade courses with a cognizance of the wide variety of aspects of architecture (formal, structural, and functional).
2	understanding of the relevant concepts related with the major areas of architectural study
3	to develop an understanding of the phenomenon of form in general and to identify the specificities of architectural form

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	1
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	1
4	Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work	4
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	2
6	Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites	3
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	4
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	3
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
10	Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects	2
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.
12	Human Behavior Understanding of the theories and methods of inquiry that seek to clarify the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment	2
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	3

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Homework	2	5
Midterm Exam(s)	1	30
Project	1	20
Final Exam	1	40
Other	Log-book	5
	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	2	32
Mid-terms	1	5	5
Assignments	3	3	9
Final examination	1	6	6
Other			0
Total Work Load:			100
Total Work Load/25(h):			4
ECTS Credit of the Course:			4

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER