APL3007 : Dissertation in Architecture, Urbanism and Landscape
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Abigail Schoneboom
- Lecturer: Professor John Pendlebury, Dr Will Thomson, Dr Loes Veldpaus
- Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 20.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
1 To build on the proposals developed in APL2007.
2 To develop student skills in the use of visual and creative research methodologies.
3 To develop student skills in undertaking a review of relevant academic literature and practice.
4 To give an extended opportunity for individuals to undertake a piece of independent empirical research and develop their research skills.
The dissertation enables students to design and undertake empirical research on a topic of their choosing in the field of architecture, urbanism, landscape or creative spatial practice. In line with the rest of the AUP programme, the dissertation offers the opportunity to develop themes related to socio-spatial, environmental or design subjects. It grants students the opportunity to frame their research within a wide range of disciplinary approaches drawn from the social sciences, humanities and creative practice. Through a combination of lectures, group reviews, supervisions and independent study, students will develop and practice their research skills while exploring and testing a research methodology that unpacks and supports their research questions.
Outline Of Syllabus
During Semester One each student will be expected to explore relevant literature and practice, as well as developing a research methodology relevant to their chosen topic, and will submit draft introduction, literature/practice review and methodology chapters of their dissertation (including ethics) for formative assessment and detailed feedback. Towards the end of Semester One and in Semester Two, students will complete their independent research (including any empirical data collection) and write up their research.
The submission should investigate the subject chosen, demonstrate independent research and understanding of the topic and appropriate research methods through
EITHER:
i) a 10,000 word dissertation
or
ii) a 6,500 word creative practice dissertation supported by creative practice project materials developed to explore the research question (for example: prototyping, spatial installation, design, drawing, film, etc).
AND
iii a ‘book-in-a-box’ submission that is an artefact created by the student to evidence their research process.
The mode of submission (dissertation OR creative practice dissertation) will have been agreed by the module leader as part of the dissertation proposal submitted at the end of APL2007 in Stage 2 Semester 2. The eligibility for a creative practice dissertation will be confirmed in Stage 3 by the module leader and dissertation supervisor at the point of the formative assessment in Semester 1.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Writing and referencing sessions from library/ASK staff. PIP |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | Lectures reinforcing research and writing skills with short activities. PIP |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Dissertation reviews: small group presentations and feedback. PIP |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Methods Workshop |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 155:00 | 155:00 | Research project including research design and data collection. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 7:00 | 7:00 | Fieldtrip |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Q&A / drop in sessions at key moments in the year related to submission (formative and final). PIP |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Dissertation supervision. PIP |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 203:00 | 203:00 | Independent research. |
| Total | 400:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The dissertation is devised to assess a student’s capacity to undertake an individual (supervised) research project relevant to the student interest in the built environment and/or chosen accredited pathway (RTPI/Planning; Landscape; ARB/Architecture). Teaching methods combine lectures, group discussion (research reviews) and supervision; lectures will be used to introduce and recap key concepts and issues relating to a dissertation and creative practice; group review sessions will comprise student-led sessions, guided by supervisors, to help students develop their proposals and work through the development of appropriate methodology. The module also requires private independent study providing an opportunity for students to research a topic of interest to them and develop critical and reflective research skills and understanding of the research process. Additional teaching and learning support is offered by the supervisory team and library/ASK staff.
Should the public health or other situation not allow for present-in-person teaching, the core content of lectures will be delivered through pre-recorded content blocks, of 15-30 minutes each, with weekly live online module talks and drop-ins. The pre-recorded lecture materials will be complemented by learning activities as well as synchronous Q&A sessions. Group discussion (research reviews), supervision and other drop-in sessions will move to synchronous online delivery.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 2 | M | 80 | 10,000-word dissertation OR 6,500-word creative practice dissertation supported by creative practice project materials developed to explore the research question (equivalent to 3,500 words). |
| Design/Creative proj | 2 | M | 20 | Research Artefact (Book-in-a-box) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 1 | M | 2,500-word draft of introduction, literature/practice review and research methodology relevant to their chosen topic, Formative assessment. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessment tests the ability to devise a research strategy with a reasoned discussion of topic, question(s), literature and the choice of methods relevant to a research question. The dissertation is assessed for the scope and rigour of the empirical study (or creative practice project) and the extent to which it demonstrates an ability to devise and carry out a successful research project, including written communication skills and visual media supporting an argument. The process of developing an idea, organising material with a clear line of argument, and organising material from sources is also assessed.
Please note that the 80% assessment of this module must be passed to pass the module overall.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- APL3007's Timetable