Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE AUD5252

 
TITLE Architecture in the Community

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Architecture and Urban Design

 
DESCRIPTION The main objective of this study-unit is to develop design methodologies which will allow students to develop design approach for situations, locations and users that they have no previous exposure to and are not familiar with, such as healthcare (60+, assisted living, architecture of therapy), social welfare (mental health, confinement), designing for children. The study-unit develops these themes firstly by a theoretical component, including the relative research, lectures and readings on sociology, philosophy, and anthropology, and engaging lecturers from the Faculty, but also from other faculties. The outcome of this phase is a research paper that informs the fieldwork part of the study-unit, which applies the outcomes from the theory study unit. The students engage with the users and stakeholders in direct contact and conversation to test and question the research, the system and the status quo. The outcome is a design proposal/strategy that addresses a current problem/situation chosen by the students under the guidance of the tutor/s. Assessment will take into account the chosen question and multi-disciplinary approach adopted in the solution proposed.

Study-Unit Aims:

The objective of the study-unit is to encourage students to engage directly with the topic of the study, to experience different realities and to embrace a multidisciplinary approach these special realities in design, through exposure and communication with the different stakeholders (users, locals, authorities …), as well as specialists from other faculties working in the relevant disciplines. The study-unit aims at emphasizing the specific role that architectural design can have in particular realities of contemporary architecture.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Achieve a deeper understanding of the user, social context and behaviour, across a particular theme in architecture, and develop a specific methodology of design approach that can be applied to other realities;
- Comprehend and resolve conflicting issues in context, social realities and objectives, aesthetics, construction and urban aspects.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Generate psychosocial skills to understand varied community contexts;
- Evaluate the relationship between design and service provision;
- Design for human diversity, social inclusion and social justice.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Reading list will be circulated on the basis of the theme selected for the specific semester.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Seminar & Independent Study

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Seminar Paper Yes 50%
Fieldwork No 50%

 
LECTURER/S Simon Bernard Grech
Alexia Mercieca
Irina Miodragovic Vella
Jing Yao Xu

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit