Outline

Overview

This unit will explore the history of Australian architecture in its various contexts. In lectures, seminars and site visits students will encounter key architects, projects and building types and their relation to Australian history. Students will undertake individual self-directed research and learn how to record and present the results of this research. Students will develop an appreciation of the factors that shape architectural design and thought in Australia and how these relate to wider social and cultural circumstances. Classes and assessment will explore the library on Australian architecture. On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to: demonstrate an advanced familiarity with a range of Australian architects, buildings and types; research, record and present a specific project in Sydney; connect specific works to other works of a similar style, period or cultural context. This will be assessed in the final submission.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Duanfang Lu, duanfang.lu@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 5 December 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Data analysis	Architectural Biography An Architectural Biography of a designed environment project from its existence as a concept or idea in the minds of its proponents, through to its current life within the city.	40%	Week 02 Due date: 01 Dec 2025 at 09:30	2,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Book Proposal A book proposal on a chosen topic.	60%	Week 03 Due date: 12 Dec 2025 at 04:00	1,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1. Architectural Biography (40%): An Architectural Biography of a designed environment project from its existence as a concept or idea in the minds of its proponents, through to its current life within the city. 2,000 words excluding references.

Assignment 2. Book Proposal (60%): A book proposal on a chosen topic. 1,000 words excluding references.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after the due day. Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (1.5 hr)
	UoS outline & assessment tasks	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Site visit 1	Field trip (1.5 hr)
	Pre-invasion & living with Country	Lecture (1.5 hr)
	Site visit 2	Field trip (3.5 hr)
	Colonisation & transplantation	Lecture (1.5 hr)
	Discuss lecture, Assignment 1 & readings	Tutorial (3.5 hr)
Week 02	Memorialisation & nation building	Lecture (1.5 hr)
	Group presentations of Assignment 1	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Discuss lectures, draft of Assignment 2 & readings	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Site visit 3	Field trip (5 hr)
	Identity & modernity	Lecture (1.5 hr)
	Prospects & reconciliation	Lecture (1.5 hr)
	Discuss draft of Assignment 2 and readings	Tutorial (2.5 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Suggested reading will be advised, week by week, on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate advanced knowledge of a selected range of social, cultural, technological, and political factors that have shaped Australian architecture
LO2. conduct research in the holdings of the city’s collections, archives, and libraries
LO3. demonstrate critical analysis and the ability to examine works of architecture in their context, reflect on their connections with works, movements, and ideas of various kinds
LO4. construct an argument that is informed by and extends the literature on the history of Australian architecture and its cognate fields
LO5. demonstrate your ability to think abstractly, conceptually, and critically about architecture, both contemporary and historical
LO6. convey a coherent argument in visual, verbal, and written forms.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This course was last offered 2019. Excepting its assessment items, it has been restructured around a series of structured discussions, and its relationship with DAAE2001 reconceptualised.

Additional information

Each week’s seminar will include segments, large or small, dedicated to your assessment work and synthesis of staged conversations. More information on structure and format, week by week, will be available on Canvas.

Additional costs

There may be costs involved in getting quality copies of images or documents, but these will be fairly minor.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assignment 1. Architectural Biography (40%): An Architectural Biography of a designed environment project from its existence as a concept or idea in the minds of its proponents, through to its current life within the city. 2,000 words excluding references.

Assignment 2. Book Proposal (60%): A book proposal on a chosen topic. 1,000 words excluding references.

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ARCH9113: Advanced Topics in Australian Architecture

Intensive November - December, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assignment 1. Architectural Biography (40%): An Architectural Biography of a designed environment project from its existence as a concept or idea in the minds of its proponents, through to its current life within the city. 2,000 words excluding references.

Assignment 2. Book Proposal (60%): A book proposal on a chosen topic. 1,000 words excluding references.

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links