Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

•       To develop an understanding of architecture as a discipline in dialogue with other academic and practical disciplines;
•       To increase awareness of the socio-economic, technological and ideological factors that influence the design of buildings and their surroundings; including cities
•       To demonstrate a high standard of architectural scholarship through text and visual presentation in accordance with the conventional ‘apparatus’ of academic research and writing;
•       To encourage the pursuit of a particular and personal critical historical line of enquiry into the nature of architecture in its broader cultural context, grounded in the discipline of architecture;
•       The syllabus – and therefore the subject of examination – comprises student-selected research topics in architecture and related subjects.

Outline Of Syllabus

•       The MARCH Dissertation spans Semester 02 of Stage 05 and Semester 01 of Stage 06, each of which is worth 20 credits.
•       The Dissertation entails an individual research project that culminates in a 10,000 word illustrated document.
•       Assessment is via an illustrated 10,000 word dissertation on a student’s self-selected topic, prepared under supervision during Stages 5 & 6.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students should have:

Developed an independent and demonstrable understanding of a selected research topic related to architecture, within a specific cultural context.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students should have:

Developed the ability to identify a topic of interest related to architecture; to formulate a thesis, a strategy and vehicle for enquiry; to plan and execute a program of independent research and, with tutorial advice, to produce an academically accomplished dissertation on an appropriate theme, relative to the resources available and time constraints of the course of study.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities, including Small group teaching and Dissertation/project related supervision will be Present-in-Person, dependent on the Public Health situation. or offered as synchronous on-line, depending on individual student, tutor, and Public Health circumstances. Otherwise, synchronous on-line contact, including supervisory meetings between individual students and tutors, or small group discussions including the module cohort, facilitated by the module leader, will be offered. However, if students are unable to participate in Present-in-Person, or on-line Synchronous Small group teaching or Dissertation/project related supervision activities, structured non-Synchronous alternatives will be offered in the form of written comments provided to students unable to attend scheduled activities, Present-in-Person, or Synchronous. Comments will be provided via email, in response to electronically shared written/visual material, if they are unable to attend scheduled activities (whether online or in person). Supervisor and supervisee can meet in-person or synchronously on-line by mutual agreement for Dissertation/project related supervision, dependent on circumstances.

Supervisor and supervisee will meet in-person whenever possible by mutual agreement. However, if necessary, dissertation/project related supervision could instead be provided remotely, by agreement, during synchronous online meetings.

Guided Independent Study, including Assessment preparation and completion and Directed research and reading are
student-led, guided by Dissertation Supervisors and the Module Leader, so could take place either remotely or on-campus (including library-based research), as required by individual students.
 
The nature of this module makes it very well-suited for shifting between Present-in-Person, synchronous, and non-synchronous learning and teaching activities as required, depending on circumstances, of a Public Health nature but also in response to student, and/or tutor requirements.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

All dissertations are marked by the dissertation tutor and module leader. In cases where there is a significant variance of marks, another internal reader will act as third reader, or as second reader where the module leader and dissertation tutor is the same person. Marks are agreed by all readers together at a separate M.Arch. Dissertation Meeting and tabled at the Departmental Examination Board.

The assessor might downgrade the mark if the word count of the submission is outside of +/- 10% of that required.

General Notes

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