Outline

Overview

Ethical Practice in Architecture introduces students to some foundational principles of ethics and then turns to the ethical questions and capacities of architectural practice. Students will conceptualize a design approach into an explicit ethical issue and explore the opportunities and limitations of the architect as activist. The student will be exposed to a series of ethical challenges and architectures that relate to ethical positions. Working through a series of case studies that explore social, environmental, political, and Indigenous positions, students will develop a sense of the role of architecture in society and the capacity of the architect to enact change. These case studies prompt critical reflections on architectural conventions, and their intersections with both social conventions and disruptions. On the successful completion of this unit, students will have demonstrated: An ability to recognise the validity of both sides of an ethical dispute; an ability to critique architecture from an ethical standpoint; and a capacity to formulate architectural design approaches that recognise ethical issues.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	MARC5410
Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	BDES3025
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Michael Mossman, michael.mossman@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Assessment 1 Review studio project and present story boards	30%	Week 04 Due date: 06 Sep 2022 at 09:00	10 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 2 Curated report as a final iteration of Assessment.	60%	Week 12 Due date: 25 Oct 2022 at 09:00	10 pages & Supporting Media
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Tutorial Attendance Weekly Participation	5%	Week 12 Due date: 25 Oct 2021 at 23:59	Weekly
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Quiz Questions End of Semester Quiz	5%	Week 12 Due date: 01 Nov 2021 at 23:59	End of Semester
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 (Group) Review studio project as a pair and present with video format. | 30% | 6th September | 9:00am

Assessment 2 (Group) Curated report as a final iteration of Assessment. | 60% | 25st October | 9:00am

Lecture Quiz Questions | 5% | 1st November | 9:00am

Tutorial Attendance & Participation (Participation in the setup of Exhibition | 5% | Weekly

Assessment criteria

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

Absent fail

0 - 49

When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

Discontinued not to count as failure

No mark

When you discontinue a unit after the relevant census date but before the DC deadline.

Discontinue – fail

No mark

When you discontinue a unit after the DC deadline but before the DF deadline

Withdrawn

No mark

When you discontinue a unit before the relevant census date. WD grades do not appear on your academic transcript

For more information see guide to grades.

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:

Section 9: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introduction	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Indigeneity	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Indigeneity	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Regenerative Design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Regenerative Design	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Good Design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Good Design	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Gender Equity	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Gender Equity	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Mental Health	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Mental Health	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Politics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Politics	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Public Domain	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Public Domain	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Research	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Research	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Disability & Access	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Disability & Access	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Economies	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Economies	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Conclusion	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Conclusion	Tutorial (2 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.

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.

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

LO1. understand foundational principles of ethics and application to architectural practices
LO2. develop conceptualized design approaches that consider explicit ethical issues during the life of a project
LO3. explore opportunities and limitations of the architect as activist and advocate
LO4. research ethical challenges (social, environmental, political, and Indigenous positions) that face architecture relative to their own ethical positions
LO5. develop a sense of the role of architecture in society and the capacity of the architect to enact change
LO6. develop capabilities to critically reflect on architectural conventions, and their intersections with both social conventions and positions that counter and enrich standardised norms

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 1.4. Identification of factors that may impact on client project requirements and objectives. 2.3. Evaluation of factors influencing and impacting on project cost. 3.2. Application of creative imagination, aesthetic judgement and critical evaluation in formulating design options. 4.2. Evaluation of design options against values of physical, environmental and cultural contexts. 6.2. Continuing coordination and integration of information and project material from relevant consultants, specialists and suppliers. 9.1. Knowledge and implementation of appropriate practice model to ensure efficient, effective and ethical professional service. 9.5. Knowledge of the legal and ethical obligations relating to copyright and intellectual property requirements. 9.6. Knowledge and application of professional ethics and ethical practices in respect to practice management and provision of professional service.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 1.7. Preparation of project brief for approval by client and relevant stakeholders. 2.1. Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project. 3.3. Design response incorporates assessment of the physical location and relevant wider regional, contextual and environmental issues. 4.6. Investigation and integration of appropriate material selection for the project design. 5.1. Application of creative imagination and aesthetic judgement in producing a resolved project design in regard to site planning, physical composition and spatial planning as appropriate to the project brief.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 1.1. Preparation & endorsement of an agreement between client and Architect. This agreement will clearly communicate terms, services to be provided, and fees appropriate for the scale and type of project. 3.1. Design response integrates the objectives of brief, user intent and built purpose. 8.1. Selection process for appropriately qualified contractors is in accordance with procurement method and project contract. 9.8. Clear and consistent communication with client and relevant stakeholders throughout project.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 1.2. Establishment, analysis and evaluation of client project requirements and objectives. 2.2. Application of principles controlling planning, development and design for the project site. 4.4. Inclusion of expertise of relevant specialists and consultants in developing the project design. 6.5. Nomination of quality and performance standards with regard to selected materials, finishes, fittings components and systems. 9.6. Knowledge and application of professional ethics and ethical practices in respect to practice management and provision of professional service.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 1.2. Establishment, analysis and evaluation of client project requirements and objectives. 3.3. Design response incorporates assessment of the physical location and relevant wider regional, contextual and environmental issues. 9.1. Knowledge and implementation of appropriate practice model to ensure efficient, effective and ethical professional service. 9.5. Knowledge of the legal and ethical obligations relating to copyright and intellectual property requirements.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 1.1. Preparation & endorsement of an agreement between client and Architect. This agreement will clearly communicate terms, services to be provided, and fees appropriate for the scale and type of project. 3.2. Application of creative imagination, aesthetic judgement and critical evaluation in formulating design options. 4.2. Evaluation of design options against values of physical, environmental and cultural contexts. 9.1. Knowledge and implementation of appropriate practice model to ensure efficient, effective and ethical professional service. 9.7. Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements and obligations in regard to architectural practice, practice management and registration as an architect.

National Standard of Competency for Architects -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
4.3		Application of creative imagination aesthetic judgement to produce coherent design
4.7		Coordination and integration of appropriate environmental systems, including for thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics.
9.1		Knowledge and implementation of appropriate practice model to ensure efficient, effective and ethical professional service.
9.4		Establishment of project team and practice structures required to deliver the professional services in a timely manner.
9.5		Knowledge of the legal and ethical obligations relating to copyright and intellectual property requirements.
9.6		Knowledge and application of professional ethics and ethical practices in respect to practice management and provision of professional service.
9.7		Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements and obligations in regard to architectural practice, practice management and registration as an architect.
9.9		Provision of independent and objective advice through all phases of professional practice.

Responding to student feedback

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

This will be the second time this unit has been offered.

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

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MARC5410: Ethical Practice in Architecture

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect