Critical Context inExistence by Jingyan He. MA Architecture/ MA Interior Architecture Final Realization July 2017. Photo: Anna Holder
31/01/18 - 09/05/2018 SEMESTER 2 CARC7003 & CIND7012 Following your literature review and position statement in semester one, you will now be developing your own detailed research project, an extended critical research thesis. The research thesis should support and aid the development of your design-research in studio. It should reflect the direction that your own research is moving in and its focus should be your own studio design research trajectory, while building upon the knowledge and insights you have gained through the literature review. It is important that the two, your thesis and studio work are developed together. As an original piece of research the thesis should be adding depth, complexity and richness to your studio work and academic writing. The research thesis and your presentations, will need to underpin and help substantiate the products of your studio work. The research thesis should take the form of a 7,000 word thesis (excluding references and bibliographic material). It should include an abstract, introduction, condensed literature review, case studies, conclusion and where appropriate, inclusion of research by design or prototyping in studio. The work must be fully referenced, using the UCA Harvard Style. A bibliography and list of illustrations should be provided at the end of the thesis. For this unit, you will be assigned to a supervisor who will help you develop your subject specific knowledge. You will need to be in contact with your supervisor directly, to arrange meetings with them. Alongside your supervisory meetings, there will be a series of workshops provided to help you develop you work and build your knowledge of research processes and methods. Success in this unit will depend on you actively engaging with your topic, reading extensively, visiting projects and exhibitions and studying other, related projects closely. The learning hours for this unit suggest that you should be spending around 600 hours in total, so 300 hours on your thesis and 300 hours on your studio. This is an average of 20 hours per week on your thesis for reading, research and writing. The thesis development will run from the 31/01/2018 until the final thesis presentation on 09/05/2018. Meetings will be held from 10:00 in the studio unless stated otherwise.
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UCA Canterbury School of Architecture // MA Interior Architecture & MA Architecture // 2017-18
SEMESTER 2 TIMETABLE 31.01.2018 Thesis Introduction Session 10am MA Studio with Anna Holder/ Kim Trogal Research topic mapping Issue of Mini-Brief 01: Empirical Research due 14th February. Allocation of supervisors. 07.02.2018
Tutorials (with your supervisor to be arranged by you)
12.02.2018
Thesis Review Presentations (25%)
14.02.2018 Workshop 01: establishing your research question 10am MA Studio with Anna Holder/ Kim Trogal Presentation of Empirical Research Understanding the role of research questions Issue of Mini-Brief 02: Theoretical Framework due 21st February. 21.02.2018 Developing your theoretical framework With Steve Dixon-Smith and Ian Badger 10am MA Studio Expanding your references and getting the most out of the library databases With Steve Dixon-Smith and Ian Badger 2pm MA Studio 28.02.2018 Tutorials (with your supervisor to be arranged by you) 07.03.2018 Workshop 02: Understanding research methods 10am MA Studio with Anna Holder/ Kim Trogal 14.03.2018 Developing your thesis structure With Steve Dixon-Smith and Ian Badger 10am MA Studio Tutorials (with your supervisor to be arranged by you) 21.03.2018 SUBMISSION 3,000-4,000 word draft submission Please submit a physical copy to the Central Registry, due 10.00-13.00, and upload a word document to Turnitin via MyUCA. EASTER 11.04.2018 Peer-review feedback on drafts (with your supervisor to be arranged by you) 18.04.2018 Workshop 04: Communicating your research 10am MA Studio with Anna Holder/ Kim Trogal
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25.04.2018
Tutorials (with your supervisor to be arranged by you)
09.05.2018
Final Thesis Submission Please submit TWO physical copies to the Central Registry, due 14001700, and upload a digital file (word document) to Turnitin via MyUCA.
29.05.2018
Thesis Presentations and Assessment (25%)
UCA Canterbury School of Architecture // MA Interior Architecture & MA Architecture // 2017-18
SUBMISSION 09.05.2018
Your research thesis must be submitted between 10h00 and 16h00 on 9th May 2018. You should submit TWO bound paper copies to the Campus Registry and upload one digital copy (word document) via Turnitin on myUCA. The paper versions should be submitted with a completed copy of the University’s standard Plagiarism Disclaimer Form [available from the Campus Registry]; the form must be handed in, if not it will be counted as a nonsubmission. The cover should identify your name as well as Unit code number, word count (excluding references) and the date.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 1. Contextual Knowledge Critical and contextual understanding of the proposed project; a deep understanding and critical awareness of contemporary theory and practice and of research methodologies central to the discipline. 2. Application and understanding Creativity and originality: original and independent thinking as expressed in the interpretation and development of the project, both practically and theoretically. Conceptual clarity: a rigorous understanding of form and process through critical development, reflection and analysis. 3. Technical and professional skills Technical skill; an advanced, professional level of understanding of materials, processes and techniques that has resulted from iterative physical testing and development. 4. Communication An ability to communicate the central concerns of the research project and theory, demonstrating effective use of knowledge and sources; independent thought; and presentation. 5. Self-management Demonstrated through self-motivated directed research activities, iterative documentation, compilation and delivery of the assignments.
breakwall by Yujie Xiao. MA Architecture/ MA Interior Architecture Final Realization July 2017. Photo: Anna Holder
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UCA Canterbury School of Architecture // MA Interior Architecture & MA Architecture // 2017-18
AIMS The aims of this unit are: A1. To introduce you to academic research and issues in research methodologies. A2. To present a relevant body of knowledge on contemporary issues in architecture, fine art and design, mapping key tropes in a critical context. A3. To foster independent enquiry and research. A4. To provide appropriate support and guidance on methods for the expression of ideas, argument and conclusions at postgraduate level, in written and verbal forms. A5. To encourage sound intellectual interrogation and debate and create a culture of open exchange and discourse on a cross-disciplinary basis. A6. To provide an orientation to the library services.
LEARNING OUTCOMES On satisfactory completion of the unit you will have: LO1. Demonstrated how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline. LO2. Demonstrated how to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them. LO3. An ability to critically examine theoretical texts and to understand the context of their production. LO4. Demonstrated how to recognise and conceptualise methodological and theoretical problems in your own practice and that of other practitioners. LO5. Knowledge of a range of theoretical discourses key to the production and interpretation of contemporary visual art & architecture LO6. An ability to present sophisticated, supported and coherently structured arguments respecting academic conventions of writing and presentation. LO7. Demonstrated how to use library services and information technology to support the development of a research proposal. LO8. An ability for independently motivated and directed research and self management of assignments
RESEARCH REFERENCES Chaplin, S., and Stara, A., eds., 2009. Curating Architecture and the City. AHRA critiques series. London: Routledge Borden, I., 2006. The Dissertation: An Architecture Student’s Handbook. Oxford: Architectural Press. Campkin, B. and Duijzings, G., 2017. ed. Engaged Urbanism: Cities and Methodologies. London: I.B. Taurus. Collins, H., 2010. Creative Research. The theory and practice of research for the creative industries. Lausanne: AVA Academia. Cresswell, J., 2014. Research Design : qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Los Angeles : SAGE. Cooper, J., 2011. Dissertation. Richmond: Trotman Groat, L. & Wang, D., 2013. Architectural Research Methods. (2nd ed.) Hoboken: Wiley Lury, C., Wakeford, N. (Eds.), 2012. Inventive methods: the happening of the social. Routledge, London. Mäkelä, M. and Routarinne, S., 2006. The Art of Research. Research Practices in Art and Design. Helsinki: University of Art and Design. Muratovski, G., 2016. Research for designers : a guide to methods and practice. Los Angeles: Sage. Pears, R., 2008. Cite Them Right: The Essential Referencing Guide. Newcastle-uponTyne, Pear Tree Books. Rose, G., 2012. Visual Methodologies. An introduction to researching with visual materials. London: Sage. 3rd Edition.
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UCA Canterbury School of Architecture // MA Interior Architecture & MA Architecture // 2017-18
UCA. Guide to Harvard Referencing. At: http://www.uca.ac.uk/library/academicsupport/harvard-referencing/ (Accessed on 30 August 2017) UCA study Guides: http://www.uca.ac.uk/library/academic-support/study-guides/ Suggested Additional Readings: Chaplin, S., and Stara, A., eds., 2009. Curating Architecture and the City. AHRA critiques series. London: Routledge Dunne, A, 2006. Hertzian Tales: Electronic Products, Aesthetic Experience, & Critical Design, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Fox, M., and Kemp, M, 2009. Interactive Architecture. Princeton University Press. Hubbard, P., ed., 2011. Key Thinkers on Space and Place . London: Sage. Second Edition. Leach, N., ed., 1996. Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory. London:Routledge. Lloyd-Thomas, K., ed., 2006. Material Matters: Architecture and Material Practice. London: Routledge. Macy, C. and Bonnemaison, S. 2003. Architecture and nature: creating the American landscape. London & New York: Routledge Morton, T., 2013. Hyperobjects: philosophy and ecology after the end of the world. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Morton, T., 2016. Dark ecology: for a logic of future coexistence. New York: Columbia University Press. Muick, P.C., 1994. The Ecological City: Preserving and Restoring Urban Biodiversity. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press. Olgyay, V. et al., 2015. Design with climate: bioclimatic approach to architectural regionalism. (New and expanded edition ed.) Princeton: Princeton University Press. Rawes, P. ed., 2013. Relational Architectural Ecologies. Architecture, Nature and Subjectivity. Abingdon: Routledge. Rendell, J. et al, eds., 2007. Critical Architecture. AHRA critiques series. London: Routledge. Taylor, M., and Preston, A., eds., 2006. I.n .t imus: Interior Design Theory Reader. London: J. Wiley and Sons. Taylor, M., ed., 2013. Interior Design and Architecture: Critical and Primary Sources. London: Bloomsbury. Todd, J. and Todd, N.J., 1993. From Eco-Cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design. (2nd edition edition ed.) Berkeley, Calif: North Atlantic Books,U.S. Turner, F., 2006. From counterculture to cyberculture: Stewart Brand, the Whole Earth Network, and the rise of digital utopianism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Van der Ryn, S., 2014. Culture, architecture and nature: an ecological design retrospective. London ; New York: Routledge.
19/09/17 - 25/01/2018
Individual bibliography In addition to the above you are expected to identify and develop specific reading and research sources of your own. Students will develop a bespoke bibliography depending upon the focus and scope of their literature review and position statement (task 1). Ian Badger is the Learning Librarian for the School of Architecture. Contact him to make a research appointment: tel 01227 817370, email ibadger@ucreative.ac.uk The University Library provides comprehensive visual arts and design resources. Visit the library on campus, online via myLibrary on myUCA, or at http://community.ucreative. ac.uk/library. You can reserve selected materials across the five sites, on campus or online from home.
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UCA Canterbury School of Architecture // MA Interior Architecture & MA Architecture // 2017-18