COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: CULTURE AND SPACE STUDIES

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 572	D	8	3	0	0	3	6

Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Elective
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Course Description:	-
Course Objectives:	Built environment is the product of geographical, cultural and social conditions. Within the course the connection between the cultural identity and the built construction will be studied. The course starts from the series of lectures explaining the key points of 20 century philosophy regarding the understanding of space potential and space challenges. The practical part of the course is the analysis of the physical environment of the selected case studies in order to find the cultural cues in the organization and shape of the spaces and to understand how the recent transformation of the tradition and culture and influenced to the spaces, which are used for everyday life. For the evaluation of the case studies the quantitative methods of Space Syntax will be used.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction to the course
2	Case studies selection
3	Discussion on “The social logic of space”
4	Discussion on “House Form and Culture”
5	Discussion on “Decoding Homes and Houses”
6	Introduction into the AGRAPH software
7	Analysis of the case studies using AGRAPH
8	Mid-term
9	Discussion on the results of analysis
10	Discussion on “Architectural space and awareness”
11	Discussion on “The split wall. Domestic voyeurism”
12	Discussion on “Excavation and reconstruction. An oral archaeology of the deLemos home”.
13	Review of the draft of paper
14	Final presentation and submission of the final paper

Prerequisite(s):	No
Textbook:	“Decoding Homes and Houses” Julienne Hanson “House Form and Culture” Amos Rapoport “The social logic of space” Bill Hillier and Julienne Hanson “Housing and Dwelling. Perspectives on Modern Domestic Architecture” Barbara Miller Lane
Other References:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:	Yes
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Demonstrate an understanding of theories and methods that clarify the interrelationships of tradition and culture and the built environment
2	Demonstrate the ability to recognize the cultural messages in housing solutions
3	Demonstrate an ability to use Space Syntax methods in order to evaluate the housing design
4	Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the importance of cultural background for the process of planning and designing the space
5	Understand the regional and cultural tendencies of the spatial development of the residential architecture in Albania

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	2
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
6	Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites
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	2
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	3
10	Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects	4
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
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

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)	1	25
Presentation	2	10
Case Study	1	5
Term Paper	1	40
Attendance		10
	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	6	96
Mid-terms	1	3	3
Assignments			0
Final examination	1	3	3
Other			0
Total Work Load:			150
Total Work Load/25(h):			6
ECTS Credit of the Course:			6