COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN ARCHITECTURE STUDIES

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 504	D	8	3	0	0	3	6

Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Elective
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Course Description:	The E-Commerce Architecures seminar will explore the information architectures of virtual spaces. This seminar provides an academic as well as practical approach to architecting e-Commerce systems, with special emphasis on the fast emerging web-based education market. The course will investigate e-Learning systems from a business, policy, technical and legal perspective. The issues presented shall be tackled by discussion of the design and structure of the various example systems. The connection between information architectures and the physical workplace of the users will also be examined. There course will be comprised of readings, discussions, guest speakers and group design sessions. Laboratory sessions will be focused on implementation tools and opportunities to create one's own working prototypes.
Course Objectives:	Students will learn to describe information architectures using the Unified Modeling Language (used to specify, design and structure web applications) and XML (to designate meaningful content). A cross-disciplinary approach will be taken; students with background in architecture, urban planning, law, cognition, business, digital media and computer science are encouraged to participate. No prior technical knowledge is necessary, though a rudimentary understanding of web page creation is helpful. The final project may be a paper or computer implementation.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction
2	Introduction to eLearning and other Multi-User Environments
3	Run Through Example E-Commerce and E-Learning Sites: Discerning the Architecture and Business Model
4	Design: Defining Requirements and Determining Form Introduction to Modelling tools
5	"Politics of Search Engines"
6	Knowledge Management and Intellectual Property
7	Legal Issues: Payment/Security options, Authentication/Privacy
8	Workplace/School place of the Future: Relationship Between Physical Space of Virtual Environments
9	Midterm Week
10	Coming to Agreement/Agreeing to Disagree: How to Manage Relationships Online
11	User Interface Revisited: Using Underlying Architecture to Support and Reflect Business and Design Goals
12	Final Presentations
13	Final Presentations
14	Final Presentations

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook:	Mitchell, William J. City of Bits. Mitchell, William J. E-Topia. Norman, Donald A. Invisible Computer.
Other References:	Software Requirements Weigers, Karl. The Essential Software Requirement. Kovitz, Benjamin L. Practical Software Requirements. Fowler, Martin. UML Distilled. User-Centered Design Norman, Donald A. The Invisible Computer. Constantine, Larry L. Software for Use. Rubin, Jeffrey. Handbook of Usability Testing. O'Reilly. Web Navigation.
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

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
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
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
4	Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work
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
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
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
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
Presentation	1	20
Project	1	40
Term Paper	1	30
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)	14	4	56
Mid-terms			0
Assignments	1	30	30
Final examination			0
Other	1	16	16
Total Work Load:			150
Total Work Load/25(h):			6
ECTS Credit of the Course:			6