FADA 418 Exploring PlacesMEF 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 FADA 418
Course Title in English Exploring Places
Course Title in Turkish Kent Keşifleri
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Lecture
Level of Course Introductory
Semester Spring
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 None
Co-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge 4 semesters of design studio
Registration Restrictions Only Undergraduate Students
Overall Educational Objective To learn to comprehend the idea of the city; how to observe, dissect the layers and identify the qualities of a city.
Course Description This course analyses and explores the layers and the distinct qualities of a city by using comparison as a tool. Comparisons are done by observing and reproducing the city and its main components. The comparisons are backed by films, photographs and readings. It benefits from Istanbul’s diversity and focuses on the main qualities of a city.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) 1. practice different approaches to a city and identify its qualities;
2) 2. identify and comprehend varied urban textures in Istanbul;
3) 3. compare and analyze given examples.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3
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 , March 2020
Course Coordinator AKTS1
Semester Spring
Name of Instructor Assoc. Prof. Dr. AYŞE HİLAL UĞURLU

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introduction
2) Housing x City
3) Geography - Excursion
4) Geography - City_1 x Istanbul
5) Events - Excursion
6) Events - City_2 x Istanbul
7) In-class discussion
8) Tourism - City_3 x Istanbul
9) Tourism - Excursion
10) Tourism - City_4 x Istanbul
11) In-class discussion
12) Planning & Transportation - Excursion
13) Planning & Transportation - City_5 x Istanbul
14) Presentations
15) Final Examination Period
16) Final Examination Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsRecommended Readings: Banham, Reyner, Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies, 1971. Varnelis, Kazys, The Infrastructural City: Networked Ecologies in Los Angeles, 2008. Calvino, Italo, The Invisible Cities, 1972. Foscari, Giulia, Elements of Venice. Pedestrian Reform, 2015. -Movies: Ryazanov, Eldar, The Irony of Fate, 1971. Visconti, Luchino, Death in Venice, 1971.
Teaching MethodsThe studies will include excursions, fieldwork reading, watching films, comparative analysis, group discussions, student presentations, and assignments to be performed.
Homework and ProjectsAssignments, presentations, fieldwork, readings
Laboratory Work-
Computer UseYes
Other ActivitiesExcursions
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Homework Assignments 1 % 85
Final Examination 1 % 15
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration yucels@mef.edu.tr
-
Student participation will be essential for the course. Attending both submissions including the Final Submission of the assignment are crucial elements in the final grade. Late submissions will not be accepted. 80% attendance is compulsory for a successful outcome. 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