University of Technology Sydney

11189 Practice: Research Cultures

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Architecture
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 132 credit points of completed study in spk(s): STM91202 168cp Core subjects (Landscape UG) BLArch(Hons)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

The subject introduces a way of thinking about design practice – informed by developing an appreciation of what defines 'good' and 'rigorous' research – to improve the capacity to make effective and convincing design propositions. Through the assessments, students are encouraged to develop research skills and understand and develop their own interests and research agendas. By the end of the subject, students should be able to use these new skills to develop a stance towards the future of their own practice.

In this subject, many different methods of research are discussed, but the subject focuses on the practice of design research. It covers specific design and research techniques: key texts and ideas from the design research literature; how to write a thesis document; research conventions, skills, and theories, all raised to help enrich the way students think about research. Students: are exposed to a variety of views about research; actively participate in design reviews; take part in presentations of exemplary projects; and discuss exemplary

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Visually and verbally communicate a design research idea
2. Understand the range and application of different types of design research
3. Produce a well-structured design research proposal
4. Formulate a research agenda and methodological position and use this skill to make strategic and informed choices in future practice

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Advocate for landscape values to specialist and non-specialist audiences. (A.2)
  • Present critical arguments about how research informs and drives design practice. (C.1)
  • Develop advanced knowledge and skills through self-directed reflective practice. (P.1)
  • Critically position work within an extended disciplinary context. (R.1)
  • Challenge design conventions through scholarly research and investigative practice. (R.3)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

Weekly : 3 hours composed of a mixture of lectures, presentations, seminars, workshops and tutorials.

Feedback

  1. All assessments will be graded in ReView. ReView will be used as a formative feedback mechanism for Assessments.
  2. Each tutorial serves as a continuous feedback mechanism for students, as well as a chance to practice their research skills with the help of their tutor's guidance.

Content (topics)

The subject will cover the following topics:

  • practices, protocols and methods of research in landscape architecture;
  • design research;
  • research as an expanded form of practice;
  • higher-degree research in the university context;
  • the publishing and dissemination of research

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Position

Intent:

The formulation of a design research topic that is relevant to contemporary landscape architecture and in alignment with a student's emerging aspirations for future practice.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 3 and 4

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.2, C.1 and R.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Content and relevance 30 3 R.1
Argument and analysis 30 4 C.1
Structure and conventions 20 3 C.1
Style and presentation 20 1 A.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Propose

Intent:

The development of skills in structuring, composing and communicating a design research proposal.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3 and 4

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.1, P.1, R.1 and R.3

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 60%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Line of questioning 30 4 R.3
Reasoning and relevance 30 3 R.1
Research design and integrity 20 2 P.1
Style and presentation 20 1 C.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

Pursuant to “UTS Rule 3.8.2”, students who do not satisfy attendance requirements, may be refused permission by the
Responsible Academic Officer to be considered for assessment for this subject.

Qwickly Attendance will be used to keep a record of lecture attendance. Students are required to 'check-in' online
during the first 10 minutes of each lecture.

Students who are unable to attend for personal reasons (e.g. sickness) are to notify the subject's coordinators by email
by the day of absence.

Required texts

Required reading is listed in the weekly schedule. This reading must be completed prior to the class each week.

Recommended texts

Relevant texts will be issued with assignments

References

In the interest of academic integtrity, all references, both written and visual sources, must be professioinally cited using the faculty's preferred referencing style: APA 7TH Referencing Style.

Referencing is a standardised method of acknowledging sources of information and ideas that you have used in your assignments or research, in a way that uniquely identifies the source. It is not only necessary for avoiding plagiarism, but also for supporting your ideas and arguments.

The UTS Library has developed additional support materials to guide students in the use of the APA referencing style.

Further support may be accessed via visiting the following link: https://www.lib.uts.edu.au/help/referencing/apa-referencing-guide