Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Delivery
Synchronous Online: Learning occurs online and in real time. These "Live Sessions" take place weekly from 7 pm to 9 pm (CST). Live Sessions will count toward your participation grade. As such, it is highly recommended that you participate in real time. However, in the event that your work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, please review the recording of the Live Session for the particular week you were unable to attend, and as a make-up assignment, complete a 1-page typed summary. Specific details and procedures on how to complete the make-up assignment can be found within each module on the "LIVE SESSION" tab.
Course Prerequisites
- ARCH 5812: Human Centric Design
- ARCH 5822: Foundations of Building Physics and Analysis
Course Materials
All required materials can be found linked to the individual weekly modules within Canvas. They are also available at the RESOURCES: Course Materials page in the Start Here Module.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)
ARCH 5842: Introduction to Research Methods for Analysis provides students with essential skills in research methodology and critical analysis. This course directly supports the program's goal of equipping architects and designers with the expertise needed for evidence-based sustainable design.
The course learning outcomes (CLOs) align comprehensively with Program Learning Outcome 1. Each CLO contributes to developing students' research capabilities.
By teaching students how to find, classify, and critically evaluate research sources, the course ensures that graduates can effectively engage with the latest developments in sustainable architecture. These skills are crucial for architects and designers who need to make informed decisions and communicate their rationales to clients, addressing the growing expectation for data-driven design approaches in the field of sustainable architecture.
- Research - Research and evaluate emerging science and methodologies for optimizing building and human performance through the case study method.
- Design, Build, and Assess - Use analysis, tools, and methods to design, develop, select materials and assess the building systems and performance of code-compliant sustainable projects.
- Fund and Manage - Evaluate financing and life cycle cost accounting strategies used in green building initiatives.
- Account for ESG Impacts - Explain how design decisions impact society, systemic issues and the environment for all communities today and in the future.
- AIA Framework - Demonstrate integrated project design and sustainability within the AIA Framework for Design Excellence.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) Alignment
| CLO | Description | PLO |
|---|---|---|
| A | Finding Sources. Students will be able to find research through the library including key online tools and databases such as EPA, United Nations, DOE, etc. | 1 |
| B | Classify Sources. Students will be able to classify research resources as peer-reviewed research, criticism, news, opinion/editorial, and sources as primary, secondary, and tertiary. Students will understand the various forms of evidence, peer review, and citations associated with each. | 1 |
| C | Recent Research. Students will understand that research resources are constantly evolving and thus there is a need to regularly update library search practices and re-evaluate sources. | 1 |
| D | Basic Research Methods. Students will comprehend what research is, the various processes of creating new knowledge, and how different types of research can inform the design process. | 1 |
| E | Understanding Peer Review. Students will be able to explain the peer review process and describe why it matters. | 1 |
| F | Evaluating Evidence. Students will be able to analyze and evaluate different types of evidence, narratives, and motivations, and distinguish reliable sources from less reliable or unreliable sources. | 1 |
| G | Evaluating Arguments. Students will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of evidence-based arguments, by analyzing sources, motivations, and research methods. | 1 |
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1 Assignment | Introduction assignment. Directed readings with targeted questions associated with each reading. Essay based response deliverable. | 100 |
| Module 2 Assignment | Reading and response exercise focused on quality and quantity source assessment. Students are assigned one of 5 sets of readings and questions to be reviewed and shared by group in live session. | 100 |
| Module 3 Assignment | What is a research question? This exercise challenges the student to define and begin the investigation of a research question as part of an agenda. | 100 |
| Module 4 Assignment | This module examines sustainability as a research pursuit. A self-driven exercise to define a research question related to sustainability and discover existing research to support or refute the posit. | 100 |
| Module 5 Assignment | Module 5 advances the discernment of research question, source relevance, and methodology as part of a research agenda. This assignment begins the aggregation of assignment goals towards creating a research agenda. | 100 |
| Module 6 Assignment | This module challenges the student to model a methodology for their research question. Students will explore data collection methods and applicability to their research question. | 100 |
| Final Project | The final assignment is an aggregate task challenging students to deliver a research agenda with a thesis, defense, experimentation, and hypothetical conclusion. | 320 |
| Live Session Participation | Live session attendance and participation or completing process for missed live sessions and engagement with assignment discussion boards. | 80 |
| Total | 1000 |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Module Assignments
Assignments are intended to offer the students opportunity to be introduced, explore, and demonstrate comprehension of the elements and phases of research. Sustainability in the built environment, and sustainable practices, are the study core for these explorations. Students will explore background, research questions, methodology, timelines, and expected outcomes. The course is sequential and pursues the basic process for all research, planning, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. Modules will focus on process and the building blocks necessary to execute a research agenda. Modules 6-8 will challenge the students to model their own research agenda. The final project deliverable goal is a scalable template for their future research.
Live Sessions
Live sessions will be more than just review and question opportunities. Live sessions will offer interactive discussions that will expand the appreciation and intent of the assignment goals. Students and instructor will offer and receive content as the result of shared insight unpredictable due to the diverse backgrounds and expertise of the course participants. Live sessions give an opportunity for introduction and query of subsequent module content.
Final Project
Modules 6-8 will challenge students to model a research agenda comprised of a clear precise research question, a literature review, data collection and analysis methodology, and a modeled hypothesis.
Course Policies
Communication
Email is the preferred method of initial communication. Emails will be responded to within 24 hours. Zoom and in person meetings on OU campus in instructor office are possible communication methods with appointments via email.
Feedback
Assignments will be graded with feedback each week after assignments have been delivered and the module Live Session is complete.
Late Policy
All assignments must be submitted by the due date. Extensions must be arranged prior to the deadline. Any extensions of assignment due dates due to university-excused absences or for personal reasons (sickness, family emergency, etc.) must be arranged prior to the assigned due date.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Errata and Changes
Errors and omissions to this syllabus or class presentations will be revised as observed and do not constitute incomplete or late work from students. Students are responsible for bringing the professor’s attention to any and all possible errata they encounter. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus and content based upon course pacing and current events that may be relevant to the material.
Additional Resources
If you need additional support or guidance in navigating Canvas, please visit the Sustainable Architecture Student Orientation Course for helpful tutorials, tips, and resources to enhance your experience with our learning management system.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Access the University Academic Policies Document.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|