A Note from the Review Panel

10

L2/ L3 Studio Units

In Spring 2018, CEPT University revised its learning pedagogy, laying emphasis on the new Studio Unit system. Within this system, learning and teaching is centered on the studio or unit, each of which comprises of about 12 to 15 students. Each five-year undergraduate program is organized into three levels: a common one year foundation is followed by Level 2 (L2) and Level 3 (L3) integrated studios. L2 studio comprises students from 2nd and 3rd year and L3 studio comprises of students from 4th and 5th year. The studio units have small groups of students led by one or two tutors; design studios have a greater curricular weightage in terms of credits and time—the semester calendar allows 4 weeks of uninterrupted studio work towards the end of the semester. The studios have a focused approach with specified learning outcomes.

L2 and L3 are designed as integrated studios to enhance peer learning and to function as a learning community. These integrated studios emphasize the belief that learning happens when a small group of students tackle problems on their own, under the review and close mentoring of tutors.

L2 studios clearly focus on developing one of the skills: Visualizing and Communicating, Analyzing and Designing, Constructing and Specifying, Planning and Organizing. In addition, all Level 2 units develops the skill for: Building Arguments and Rationales.

In L3 studios, the students use multiple design abilities to solve complex design problems. They evolve their aptitude to exercise architectural and/or design judgments. Design problems are defined based on a specific theme, approach (along with its rationale) or a theoretical position. The site and the area of program may be defined by the tutor or by the student.