EPOKA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
COURSE SYLLABUS
2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE INFORMATIONCourse Title: DEVELOPMENT OF READING AND WRITING SKILLS IN ENGLISH II |
| Code | Course Type | Regular Semester | Theory | Practice | Lab | Credits | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 104 | D | 2 | 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) | M.Sc. Taqi Stojani tstojani@epoka.edu.al |
| Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | M.Sc. Taqi Stojani tstojani@epoka.edu.al , Tuesday 08.30 - 16.30 |
| 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: | Office D 209 |
| 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: | YES |
| Course Description: | This course is a well-balanced and harmonized combination of ELT methodology with real functional professional setting. Its aim is to improve students’ professional communication skills and content understanding in genres of engineering and architecture. The course is comprehensive in its scope of topics and themes by offering opportunities of high- priority language useful to any branch of engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, computing, environmental) and to architecture by focusing on tasks and skills related to drawings, description of technical problems as well the dimensions and precision. It is designed with an emphasis on all four dimensions of ESP learning: authentic activities illustrating daily engineering situations, original listening to professionals at work, speaking and writing tasks affiliated to contemporary problems and sensitive issues of engineering and architecture by making the course practical, and motivating. |
| Course Objectives: | - to equip students with the norms and regulations of English for academic purposes and tasks - to improve understanding of professional English mainly in the fields of engineering - to enrich specialist language knowledge of future practitioners - to provide problem-solving practice in authentic engineering scenarios |
|
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
|
| 1 | This EAP class is based on needs assessment analysis. |
| 2 | It is designed to foster learner's autonomy in English for academic purposes. |
| 3 | It is based on a competence-oriented syllabus and learner-centered classroom. |
| 4 | It is driven by the principle of learners being critical thinkers to self-reflect on abundant academic literature in the domain. |
| 5 | It is guided by the provision of students with the contemporary conventions of academic and writing for future advanced research. |
| 6 | To train how to communicate ideas objectively by using logical argument. |
| 7 | To develop clear, accurate, and coherent written communication. |
| 8 | To improve reading comprehension and writing accuracy. |
| 9 | To integrate reading and writing skills in scholarly contexts. |
| 10 | To produce well-reasoned written work based on textual analysis. |
|
COURSE OUTLINE
|
| Week | Topics |
| 1 | Course presentation. Technology in use (6-13). Technology in civil engineering and architecture, including tools, materials, and digital systems. Technological innovations in building materials and construction techniques. Understanding digital tools used in design and planning. Emerging technologies shaping the future of the industry. Write clear technical descriptions and short reports. |
| 2 | Materials technology. Properties of materials (14-21). The materials used in engineering and construction. Introduction to classification, selection criteria, and the importance of material properties in design. Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers – Michael S. Mamlouk & John P. Zaniewski (2022).How materials respond to forces and loads. Focus on strength, elasticity, and deformation. Mechanics of Materials – Russell C. Hibbele (2024). |
| 3 | Components and assemblies (22-29). Identifying machine components. Understanding functions and relationships between parts. Describing assemblies and mechanisms. Interpreting technical diagrams and labels. Using appropriate engineering terminology in speaking and writing. Engineering Workshop Practice – W.A.J. Chapman(2025). |
| 4 | Engineering design and terminology for designing problems (30-37). The concept of engineering design as a systematic problem-solving process. How engineers evaluate whether a design meets specifications and performance standards. The language used in design reports, specifications, and presentations. |
| 5 | Breaking point, assessing and interpreting faults (38-45). The stage at which a material, component, or system can no longer withstand applied stress. Interpreting data and determining the root cause of failure. Technical reporting and preventive engineering. The Maintenance Engineering Handbook (2021), Keith Mobley. |
| 6 | Technical development - discussing technical requirements (46-53).The technical development as the stage between concept and production. How ideas are translated into measurable technical requirements. Speaking and negotiation skills for discussing technical requirements in professional settings. Engineering Communication, William Oakes and Les Leone (2024). |
| 7 | Monitoring and control Words to describe automated systems (62-69). Automation as the use of control systems to operate equipment with minimal human intervention. Systems monitor performance, gather operational data and control mechanisms. Instrumentation and Control Systems, William Bolton(2025). Safety mechanisms and fault detection systems. |
| 8 | Revision prior to Midterm Exam |
| 9 | Midterm Exam |
| 10 | Monitoring and control /exercises. The concept of monitoring (observing system performance) and control (regulating system behavior). Describing system performance and evaluation. Monitoring systems detect faults and ensure safety. Modern Control Engineering, Katsuhiko Ogata (2021). |
| 11 | Theory and practice - language for comparing expectations and results (70-77). The distinction between theoretical models and real-world performance. Develops comparative language for technical reporting. Technical Communication (2021) Mike Markel. Identifying and explaining discrepancies between expected and actual results. Critical evaluation of results. Experimental Methods for Engineers is a mechanical-engineering, J. P. Holman (2022). |
| 12 | Pushing the boundaries - describing capabilities and limitations (78-85). The language used to describe system capabilities and performance potential. Describing technical boundaries and operational constraints. How innovation extends capabilities beyond traditional limits. The Design of Everyday Things, Don Norman (2023). Evaluating feasibility when pushing boundaries. |
| 13 | Research Paper Presentation. |
| 14 | Research Paper Presentation. Review and Feedback prior to Final Exam. |
| Prerequisite(s): | Students are eligible to attend this class after having attended the Class of Development of Reading and Writing Skills in English Level 1. |
| Textbook(s): | Cambridge English for Engineering by Mark Ibbotson Series Editor: Jeremy Day (2021), Cambridge University Press. English for Engineering, P. Dummett and A. K. Len, Pearson Longman(2022). Technical English, David Bonamy, (2013) Pearson Longman. Writing for Science and Engineering (2024) Heather Silyn-Roberts. Internet based lectures from Purdue University. |
| Additional Literature: | YouTube open lectures on Professional English. |
| Laboratory Work: | None |
| Computer Usage: | Searching Engines - power point /word |
| Others: | No |
|
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
| 1 | To Improve and enrich the relevant engineering terminology. |
| 2 | To Further develop analytical, reflective and critical reading, writing, speaking and listening skills by entire exposure to authentic sources in Engineering English. |
| 3 | To Present confidently and effectively through professional terminology working and studying scenarios. |
| 4 | To Enhance their content tailored proficiency from B1-B2 up to C1. |
| 5 | To be able to comprehend authentic activities related to everyday engineering situations. |
| 6 | To be linguistically capable of describing technical problems and offer feasible solutions. |
| 7 | To use tailored engineering and architectural jargon in academic tasks and practice. |
| 8 | To demonstrate the ability to critically analyze the structure and content of written materials. |
| 9 | To present case studies in Civil Engineering on a theme of their studies. |
| 10 | To produce coherent, original written works for various contexts. |
|
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 | 5 |
| 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. | 5 |
| 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
|
| Project |
1
|
20
|
| Final Exam |
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) | 8 | 3 | 24 |
| Mid-terms | 1 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Assignments | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Final examination | 1 | 12.5 | 12.5 |
| Other | 0 | ||
|
Total Work Load:
|
100 | ||
|
Total Work Load/25(h):
|
4 | ||
|
ECTS Credit of the Course:
|
4 | ||
|
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER
|
|
Code of Ethics. Statute of Student Council. Code of Ethics. REGULATIONS-Regulation “Undergraduate Studies and Examinations”. Regulation “On the English Preparatory School”. Regulation “On Student Discipline etc. Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline "Head of Department Office and Coordinators' Office |