COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: CASE STUDIES IN ARCHITECTURAL CRITICISM

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 418	B	8	4	0	0	4	6

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	NA
Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Edmond Manahasa , 150
Second Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Klevis Zaimaj
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Classroom and Meeting Time:	128
Course Description:	Mapping cultural / positional differences between and across different forms of architectural criticism. A critical survey of significant architectural critics, magazines and representations. A critical survey of selected themes, concepts, buildings and architects concerning contemporary architecture. Students are encouraged to take an active role and engage in architectural criticism/activities.
Course Objectives:	By the end of the term students should acquire the following skills: • the ability to make critical survey and analysis • An ability to transform a problem or question to a plan of research, and experience in implementing the plan and interpreting the results; •Critical thinking and debating skill as well as knowledge on key examples of architectural criticism

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Open lecture introduction to the course, debate on modernism
2	MODERNISM Part 1 From Modernism to Postmodern, the Frankfurt School and critical theory Theodor W.Adorno Georges Bataille Walter Benjamin Ernst Bloch Siegfried Kracauer Georg Simmel Seminar: Selecting the groups. By the end of the week, the students should have selected their own groups.
3	MODERNISM Part 2 Seminar: Group presentation on the research target based on the specific topics
4	Case studies criticism from, Peter Blundell Jones and Eamonn Canniffe, Charles & Ray Eames - Eames House, Pacific Palisades 1945-49 Giancarlo de Carlo - Magistero (Faculty of Education) Urbino - 1968-76
5	POSTMODERN PART 1
6	POSTMODERN PART 2 Jane Jacobs, Robert Venturi& Denise Scot Brown, Reiner Banham
7	Student presentations (individual essays,in a form of an article and graphical representation)
8	Structuralism and Postmodern Philosophy Roland Barthes, Umberto Eco
9	Case studies criticism from, Peter Blundell Jones and Eamonn Canniffe: Alison and Peter Smithson,Aldo Rossi
10	High-tech Architecture Norman Foster,Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers
11	POSTSTRUCTURALISM Gilles Deleuze Jacques Derrida Michel Foucault Paul Virilio
12	Rem Koolhas, Whatever Happended to urbanism, Bigness, Transition from OMA-AMO, Zaha Hadid
13	Screening: Slavoj Zizek, “Why Less is more in Architecture”
14	Student presentations

Prerequisite(s):	No
Textbook:	1-Peter Blundell Jones and Eamonn Canniffe, 2007,“Modern Architecture Through Case Studies 1945 to 1990“, Architectural Press; 1 edition 2-Leach, Neil, Rethinking architecture: a reader in cultural theory, London 1997
Other References:	Each group of students selects a specific author from the shared library.
Laboratory Work:	No
Computer Usage:	yes
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Cultural and historical study of important milestones in the theory of architecture.
2	Critical thinking, comparison and analysis.
3	A thorough understanding of important social and economical conditions linked to architecture and urban planning
4	Comunication and dialogue.
5	Seminar disscusion and students empowerment.
6	Writing and presentations skills.

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Master of Science in Architecture 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
Midterm Exam(s)	1	30
Presentation	2	10
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	4	64
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	12	3	36
Mid-terms	1	6	6
Assignments	4	10	40
Final examination	1	4	4
Other			0
Total Work Load:			150
Total Work Load/25(h):			6
ECTS Credit of the Course:			6