Architecture, Exploration and Reflection, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course offers the opportunity for architecture students to immerse themselves in a site-specific architectural issue. Within the course, we explore which role architecture can have in relation to social and environmental aspects in society. Critical reflection and evaluation of the own work process and the results are important aspects of the course.
 
Within the course, you can choose to participate in a workshop or to work with an individual project.

The workshops that are offered and in which places these are given can vary from time to time that the course is offered, contact the department for more information. Any costs for travel and accommodation in connection with workshops are paid for by the student himself.

For individual projects, the student formulates his/her research questions, processes and theoretical aspects for his project based on the conditions presented at the beginning of the course. Individual projects can be carried out as distance studies.

Expected learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Explore a site-specific architectural issue concerning social and/or environmental aspects for the society.
• Select, develop and evaluate spatial, aesthetical, technical and/or social aspects in the development of mappings and interventions.
• Document and critically evaluate the own work process and investigation using text, image and drawings.

Required Knowledge

For the applicant to be eligible, he or she must meet the general entry requirements for basic level studies at Swedish universities. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6. Apart from that, the applicant needs to have completed at least 30 higher education credits in the field of architecture, and have documented experience in the form of a portfolio and a motivation letter. For more information about the work samples and the motivation letter, see the webpage of Umeå School of Architecture: https://www.umu.se/en/umea-school-of-architecture/

Form of instruction

The teaching consists of workshops and/or project work. Students can choose if they want to work on a project individually or in a group. The forms of teaching can be practical exercises, individual tutorials, group discussions as well as seminars and field studies.

The right to receive teaching and supervision applies only during the time the course, for which the student is registered to, is ongoing.

Examination modes

The course is assessed through submission of visual material, documentation of the work process and an individual written report. The grades Pass (G) and Fail (U) are used. To pass the course, all mandatory hand-in assignments must be completed.
 
Students who fail an examination may retake that examination. A student who has failed two consecutive examinations has the right to get another examiner, unless specific reasons arise (HF Ch. 6 § 22). Requests for another examiner are submitted in written form to the programme co-ordinator.
 
Complementary Assignment
A student that does not fully meet the intended learning outcomes for an examination, but is close to reach the level for a Pass grade, may, upon decision by the examiner, be given the opportunity to hand in a complementary assignment to fulfil the requirements for a Pass grade. The complementary assignment should be individually modified to the specific requirements that the student has failed to reach. The examiner decides the deadline for when the complementary assignment should be finished.

Other regulations

This course may not be used towards a degree, in whole or in part, simultaneously with another course of similar content. If in doubt, consult the study counselor at Umeå School of Architecture.

Examination based on this course syllabus is guaranteed for two years after initial enrolment in the course.