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Course Description

This special topics course offers an interdisciplinary approach to investigating our built environment using a case study focused on a specific place each semester. This course combines physical examination with information research and data collection using methodologies developed in multiple disciplines. Students from a variety of departments engage in on-site exploration and in-depth research of a location in New York City. Faculty from the Library and Architectural Technology Departments are teaching the course this semester, and will thus focus course material through a lens of architecture, urban studies, and information studies.

Faculty

Course Structure

This course combines a series of research seminars with fieldwork, site visits, and on and off campus research. Combinations of individual and team assignments as well as class participation are the basis for the final grade. The culmination of the weekly assignments is the final project, a multimedia presentation. The final project will be published on the Open Lab and will be accessible to the entire City Tech community.

Course Objectives

General Education Learning Outcomes / Assessment Methods

 

Learning Outcomes	Assessment Methods
Upon successful completion of this course the student shall be able to:	To evaluate the students’ achievement of the learning objectives, the professor will do the following:
1. Develop, purposefully connect and integrate knowledge from a range of architectural, urban studies, information science, and other disciplinary perspectives presented in the course.	1. Review the final report assignment to evaluate integrative, multidisciplinary thinking.
2. Utilize skills in inquiry/analysis to derive meaning from experience as well as gather information from observation.	2. Review the students’ site documentation report, research notes, and diagrams
3. Demonstrate and apply information literacy aptitude by gathering, interpreting, evaluating and applying information discerningly from a variety of sources.	3. Review the students’ research methodology proposal, annotated bibliography, and team research assignments to evaluate critical thinking and analysis across disciplines.

 

Interdisciplinary Learning Outcomes / Assessment Methods

 

Learning Outcomes	Assessment Methods
Upon successful completion of this course the student shall be able to:	To evaluate the students’ achievement of the learning objectives, the professor will do the following:
1. Purposefully connect and integrate across-discipline knowledge and skills to solve problems.	1. Review student reflections and Wikipedia assignment to evaluate integrative, multidisciplinary thinking.
2. Synthesize and transfer knowledge across disciplinary boundaries.	2. Review student reflections and the final report assignment to evaluate integrative, multidisciplinary thinking
3. Comprehend factors inherent in complex problems.	3. Review the students’ research methodology proposal, and bibliography to evaluate critical thinking and analysis across disciplines.
4. Think critically, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively	4. Review the students’ class participation and research notes and diagrams; review the final report to evaluate critical thinking, effective communication, and effective collaboration.
5. Become flexible thinkers.	5. Review the students’ site documentation report, notes, sketches, and photographs to evaluate the discovery process.

 

Course Intended Learning Outcomes / Assessment Methods

 

Learning Outcomes	Assessment Methods
Upon successful completion of this course the student shall be able to:	To evaluate the students’ achievement of the learning objectives, the professor will do the following:
1. Use the city as a laboratory for learning.	1. Review the students’ site documentation reports, notes, sketches, and photographs to evaluate the care of observation and the reflection of important issues discovered.
2. Develop a methodological approach to research.	2. Review the students’ research methodology proposal, annotated bibliography, and team research assignment to evaluate critical thinking and analysis across disciplines.
3. Understand the cultural, social and economic processes that guide the physical development of the built environment.	3. Review the students’ research notes and diagrams; Review the team research assignment and the final report assignment to evaluate integrative, multidisciplinary thinking.
4. Use analytical skills to investigate places	4. Review the students’ site documentation report, notes, sketches, and photographs to evaluate the care of observation and the reflection of important issues discovered.
5. Develop, document, catalogue, and organize information to make it accessible to the public.	5. Review the students’ site documentation report, notes, sketches, and photographs to evaluate the care of observation and the reflection of important issues discovered; review the final report to evaluate integrative, multidisciplinary thinking.
6. Apply observational skills to research and analysis.	6. Review the students’ notes, sketches, and photographs to evaluate the care of observation and the reflection of important issues discovered.