COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: CASE STUDIES IN ARCHITECTURAL CRITICISM

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 418	B	2	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)	Dr. Valerio Perna vperna@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Dr. Valerio Perna vperna@epoka.edu.al , Tuesday, 10:30-12:30
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	M.Sc. Katjana Boriçi kborici@epoka.edu.al
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Master of Science in Architecture
Classroom and Meeting Time:	A-128, 14.40 - 17.40
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:
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:

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	DESCRIPTIVE. The studies aim at reporting the present (or past) state of the object which in architectural studies can be either one building or any defined class or series of buildings, as well as people related to these buildings. Monographs of buildings often belong to this category, as well as a great part of the histories of architecture.
2	EXPLANATORY. The studies try to find out why each building has taken the shape that they have. The reasons can be taken either from the past (casual explanation), from concurrent context, or alternatively from the future (i.e. from the intentions of the builders).
3	NORMATIVE. The studies attempt to point out in which respects the object of the study could be improved, and the method of doing it. When the outcome of normative studies is generalizable to later similar objects, we can call it a theory of design.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introducton + Course organization
2	The Years of the Machine. From the -isms to Le Corbusier; from Mies to the Ethic Space
3	The Age of Individuality. Aalto's waves, the poetic dialectic of Giuseppe Terragni, the philosophy of F.L. Wright
4	The Philosophy of F.L. Wright. Students' Presentation
5	The Post-War. From Brutalism to the 'Institution' of L. Kahn
6	The Big Bang Years. 1957-66 from Pop to Bottom-up
7	The Age of the Language. From the '68 to the Postmo
8	Midterm
9	The Context and the Palimpsest
10	The Works of an Architect - D. Libeskind
11	The Deconstructed World - P. Eisenmann
12	Z. Hadid and the Pictorial Landscape
13	F. Gehry and the Cheapscape / The IT Revolution
14	Final Exam / The Architect Luggage

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook(s):	Saggio, A. (2010). Architettura e modernità: dal Bauhaus alla rivoluzione informatica. In Architettura e modernità: dal Bauhaus alla rivoluzione informatica. Carocci. Jencks, C. (2002). The new paradigm in architecture: the language of post-modernism. Yale University Press. Zevi, B. (1948). Saper vedere l'architettura. G. Einaudi. Frampton, K. (1997). Modern architecture. A critical history.
Additional Literature:
Laboratory Work:	YES
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	Communication and dialogue
5	Class discussion 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	4
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	4
6	Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites	4
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	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	4
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.	3
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	25
Presentation	2	15
Final Exam	1	40
Attendance		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	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

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

To be edited at the end of the semester