ARC 487 Critical Concepts in DesignMEF UniversityDegree Programs ArchitectureGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Architecture
Bachelor Length of the Programme: 4 Number of Credits: 240 TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF: Level 6

ECTS Course Information Package

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture
Course Code ARC 487
Course Title in English Critical Concepts in Design
Course Title in Turkish Tasarımda Eleştirel Kavramlar
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Ters-yüz öğrenme
Level of Course İleri
Semester Fall
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: - Lab: - Other: -
Estimated Student Workload 126 hours per semester
Number of Credits 5 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites ARC 202 - Architectural Design IV | INT 202 - Interior Design II
ARC 202 - Architectural Design IV | INT 202 - Interior Design II
Co-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge 4 semesters of design studio
Registration Restrictions Only Undergraduate Students
Overall Educational Objective To learn to understand critical studies and conceptual thinking in architecture and design.
Course Description The social impacts of architectural and design practices are beyond their professional limits. All the objects and spaces in our everyday life are somehow related to these practices and these relations are the subjects of critical studies. Critical Concepts in Design is an introduction course to the concepts in critical studies related to these complex relations.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) distinguish concepts in critical studies;
2) discover social impacts of architecture and design;
3) criticize and evaluate the products of architecture and design;
4) recognize political, ethical and aesthetic aspects of architecture and design;
5) express personal points of view on architecture and design.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5
1) Ability to read, write and speak effectively in Turkish and English, equivalent to a B2 European Language Passport Level in English.
2) Ability to question and interpret ideas considering diverse points of view; gather and use data, develop concepts related to people, places and the environment, and make individual decisions.
3) Ability to use appropriate graphical methods including freehand and digital drawing techniques, (ECDL advanced) in order to develop ideas in addition to communicate the process of design.
4) Ability to use fundamental principles of architectural design considering the place, climate, people, society as factors, and simultaneously express present principles in relevant precedents.
5) Understanding of architectural principles belonging to global and local cultures shaped by the climatic, technological, socioeconomic, cultural factors, in addition to principles of historic preservation while developing architectural and urban design projects.
6) Understanding the theories and methods used to describe the relationship between human behavior and physical environment; and concurrently understanding different needs, values, behavioral norms, social and spatial patterns of different cultures.
7) Ability to apply various stages of design processes considering the client and user needs, which include space and equipment requirements besides site conditions and relevant laws and standards.
8) Understanding the role of applied research in determining function, form and systems and their impact on human conditions and behavior.
9) Understanding of the basic principles of static and dynamic structural behavior that withstand gravity and lateral forces, in addition to the evolution and applications of structural systems.
10) Ability to apply the principles of sustainability in architectural and urban design projects that aim to preserve the natural and historic resources and provide healthful environments.
11) Ability to apply the fundamental principles of building and safety systems such as mechanical, electrical, fire prevention, vertical circulation additionally to principles of accessibility into the design of buildings.
12) Understanding the basic principles in the selection of materials, products, components and assemblies, based on their characteristics together with their performance, including their environmental impact and reuse possibilities.
13) Ability to produce a comprehensive architectural project from the schematic design phase to design development phase, while integrating structural systems, life safety and sustainability principles.
14) Understanding the principles of environmental systems such as energy preservation, active and passive heating and cooling systems, air quality, solar orientation, day lighting and artificial illumination, and acoustics; in addition to the use of appropriate performance assessment tools.
15) Ability to choose appropriate materials, products and components in the implementation of design building envelope systems.
16) Ability to understand the principles and concepts of different fields in multidisciplinary design processes and the ability to work in collaboration with others as a member of the design team.
17) Understanding the responsibility of the architect to organize and lead design and construction processes considering the environmental, social and aesthetic issues of the society.
18) Understanding the legal to responsibilities of the architect of the architect effecting the design and construction of a building such as public health and safety; accessibility, preservation, building codes and regulations as well as user rights.
19) Ability to understand the ethical issues involved in the design and construction of buildings and provide services for the benefit of the society. In addition to the ability to act with social responsibility in global and local scales that contribute to the well being of the society.
20) Understanding the methods for competing for commissions, selecting consultants and assembling teams, recommending project delivery methods, which involve financial management and business planning, time management, risk management, mediation and arbitration.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Ability to read, write and speak effectively in Turkish and English, equivalent to a B2 European Language Passport Level in English. H
2) Ability to question and interpret ideas considering diverse points of view; gather and use data, develop concepts related to people, places and the environment, and make individual decisions. H
3) Ability to use appropriate graphical methods including freehand and digital drawing techniques, (ECDL advanced) in order to develop ideas in addition to communicate the process of design. S
4) Ability to use fundamental principles of architectural design considering the place, climate, people, society as factors, and simultaneously express present principles in relevant precedents. S
5) Understanding of architectural principles belonging to global and local cultures shaped by the climatic, technological, socioeconomic, cultural factors, in addition to principles of historic preservation while developing architectural and urban design projects. H
6) Understanding the theories and methods used to describe the relationship between human behavior and physical environment; and concurrently understanding different needs, values, behavioral norms, social and spatial patterns of different cultures. H
7) Ability to apply various stages of design processes considering the client and user needs, which include space and equipment requirements besides site conditions and relevant laws and standards. S
8) Understanding the role of applied research in determining function, form and systems and their impact on human conditions and behavior. S
9) Understanding of the basic principles of static and dynamic structural behavior that withstand gravity and lateral forces, in addition to the evolution and applications of structural systems. S
10) Ability to apply the principles of sustainability in architectural and urban design projects that aim to preserve the natural and historic resources and provide healthful environments. S
11) Ability to apply the fundamental principles of building and safety systems such as mechanical, electrical, fire prevention, vertical circulation additionally to principles of accessibility into the design of buildings. S
12) Understanding the basic principles in the selection of materials, products, components and assemblies, based on their characteristics together with their performance, including their environmental impact and reuse possibilities. S
13) Ability to produce a comprehensive architectural project from the schematic design phase to design development phase, while integrating structural systems, life safety and sustainability principles. S
14) Understanding the principles of environmental systems such as energy preservation, active and passive heating and cooling systems, air quality, solar orientation, day lighting and artificial illumination, and acoustics; in addition to the use of appropriate performance assessment tools. S
15) Ability to choose appropriate materials, products and components in the implementation of design building envelope systems. S
16) Ability to understand the principles and concepts of different fields in multidisciplinary design processes and the ability to work in collaboration with others as a member of the design team. S
17) Understanding the responsibility of the architect to organize and lead design and construction processes considering the environmental, social and aesthetic issues of the society. S
18) Understanding the legal to responsibilities of the architect of the architect effecting the design and construction of a building such as public health and safety; accessibility, preservation, building codes and regulations as well as user rights. S
19) Ability to understand the ethical issues involved in the design and construction of buildings and provide services for the benefit of the society. In addition to the ability to act with social responsibility in global and local scales that contribute to the well being of the society. S
20) Understanding the methods for competing for commissions, selecting consultants and assembling teams, recommending project delivery methods, which involve financial management and business planning, time management, risk management, mediation and arbitration. S
Prepared by and Date BÜLENT TANJU , June 2022
Course Coordinator AKTS1
Semester Fall
Name of Instructor Öğr. Gör. BÜLENT TANJU

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introduction: History, Theory & Practice
2) Epistemology of Design 1
3) Epistemology of Design 2
4) Value & Meaning in Architecture and Design1
5) Value & Meaning in Architecture and Design2
6) Political Aspects of Design
7) Ethical Issues in Design
8) The City and Design
9) Criticism of Economical Ideologies in Architecture and Design
10) Technologies of Design
11) Science, Architecture and Design
12) Contemporary Issues in Design: Gender & Ecology
13) Contemporary Issues in Design: Postcolonialism & Globalism
14) Student Presentations
15) Final Assessment Period
16) Final Assessment Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsRecommended Reading: Erlhoff, Michael & Marshall, Tim (2008) Design Dictionary: Perspectives on Design Terminology, Birkhäuser, Basel, Boston, Berlin Sedgwick, Peter & Edgar, Andrew (1999) Key Concepts in Cultural Theory, Routledge, New York & London Mikula, Maja (2008) Key Concepts in Cultural Studies, Palgrave Macmillan, London Williams, Raymod (1985) Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society, Oxford University Press, New York Required readings for each week will be posted on Blackboard.
Teaching MethodsCritical Concepts in Design is a lecture-based course, but the lectures are open to immediate student intervention and questioning. Each lecture will be followed by a student discussion.
Homework and Projects1 project, 1 preliminary assignment
Laboratory Work-
Computer UseYes
Other Activities-
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 1 % 40
Homework Assignments 1 % 20
Final Examination 1 % 40
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration tanjub@mef.edu.tr
-
Office: Prof. Dr. Bülent Tanju Email: tanjub@mef.edu.tr Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: YÖK Disciplinary Regulation.

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 1 3 1 70
Homework Assignments 14 4 56
Total Workload 126
Total Workload/25 5.0
ECTS 5