COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN HOUSING RESEARCH

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

Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Elective
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Course Description:	-
Course Objectives:	1) To help students develop understanding of the factors that shape housing provision, design and historical evolution patterns. 2) To provide students with a sound knowledge about international and national housing policies, standards and typologies. 3) To introduce students to critical analytical thinking and help them master their critical evaluative skills. 4) To help students develop an understanding of academic writing and improve their interpersonal communication skills (verbal, written etc.)

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Course Introduction + An overview: historical aspects of human dwelling
2	The city in history: socio-economic change and human settlements
3	Cultural aspects of housing
4	Technology and housing
5	Politics and housing / Regime change and transitions: impact on housing
6	Housing and its relation to other activities in the city
7	Midterm assessment
8	Urban centrality and house types
9	The global economy, urbanization and housing problems (restructuring of social composition) + Housing, needs and squatter settlements in an international context
10	The Albanian context: Political change & its implications: housing typology, trends & tendencies
11	Comparative analysis with different post-communist examples.
12	Housing policy and social housing (International + Albanian context): Institutional perspective / Physical perspective
13	House space standards: An International / European perspective + House space standards: Albania?
14	Final Presentation of individual coursework

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook:	Clapham, D. (2005) The Meaning of Housing: A Pathways Approach, Policy Press, Bristol Franklin, B.(2006) Housing Transformations: Shaping the space of twenty-first century living, Rutledge, London Gallent, N. et al. (2010) Internal housing space standards in Italy and England, Progress in Planning, 74(1), 1-52 Muire et al. (2005) Privatisation and after in R. Van Kempen et al. (eds.) Restructuring large housing estates in Europe, 85-104, Policy Press, Bristol Tipple; A. G. (1999) Transforming Government-Built Housing: Lessons from Developing Countries, Journal of Urban Technology, 6(3), 17-35
Other References:	Bouzarovski, S. et al. (2011) A Socially Resilient Urban Transition? The Contested Landscapes of Apartment Building Extensions in Two Post-communist Cities, Urban Studies, 48(13), 2689-2714 Deda, L. and Tsenkova, S. (2006) Poverty and inequality in Greater Tirana: The reality of peri-urban areas in S. Tsenkova and Z. Nedovic-Budic (eds.) The Urban Mosaic of Post-Socialist Europe, Physica-Verlag, Heidelberg Nase and Ocakci (2010) Urban pattern dichotomy in Tirana: Socio-spatial impact of liberalism, European Planning Studies, 18(11), 1837-1861
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:	Yes
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Understanding of the main factors that shape human settlements and housing design trends.
2	Develop understanding of analytical thinking and problem solving with a focus on critical essay writing.
3	Master field study research techniques in architecture, planning and design.

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	3
4	Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work	4
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	3
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	4
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	2
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	2
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	2

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)	1	25
Presentation	2	10
Case Study	1	5
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)	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