175-123 Introduction to Built Environment Study

Formerly available as 702-140. Students who have completed 702-140 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Non-native speakers of English may enrol without sitting for a placement test but may be recommended to other subjects during the first two weeks of the semester depending on their English language proficiency. Native or near-native speakers of English are not eligible to enrol.

This subject is an introduction to the language forms and communication styles that characterise the disciplines of architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture and property and construction. It teaches two specific sets of strategies and skills: 1. to engage with, critically assess and communicate ideas in the discipline; 2. To efficiently access information in lectures, tutorials, studios, libraries and through the internet. These strategies and skills will be developed through introductory studies in the fields of architectural history/theory, design, urban planning, property and construction, and construction technology. On completion of this subject students should have gained: 1. enhanced skills in academic writing eg. essays and technical reports; 2. enhanced skills in oral presentations and group discussions in studio and tutorial contexts; 3. strategies for listening, comprehension and note-taking in lectures in the BPD/BUPD courses, including the linking of material presented in graphical and verbal forms.

• be able to present formal and informal oral presentations;

• be able to adopt a critical approach in their academic reading and writing;

• be able to participate effectively in small group projects;

• be able to show attention to detail - through close reading and text analysis, critical review and essay writing;

• develop teamwork skills.

A 1000 word annotated bibliography 20% (due mid-semester), a 1500 word report 30% (due at the end of semester), two oral presentations 25%, tutorial participation 5% and a journal of class writing tasks 20% (due throughout the semester).

A reading pack will be available through the Bookroom.