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). 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.
Course Prerequisites
- ARCH 5812: Human Centric Design
- ARCH 5822: Foundations of Building Physics and Analysis
- ARCH 5832: Introduction to Building Performance Analysis
- ARCH 5842: Introduction to Research Methods for Analysis
Course Materials
All required materials can be found linked to the individual weekly modules within Canvas. They are also available on the RESOURCES: Course Materials page in the Start Here Module.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)
The LCCA and the Circular Economy course learning outcomes (CLOs) align with all of the program learning outcomes (PLOs). The course learning outcomes (CLOs) support students' development in researching, evaluating, and implementing sustainable building practices. CLO A addresses sustainable technologies, aligning with research, environmental impact, and design excellence (PLOs 1, 4, 5). CLO B explores global factors influencing sustainability implementation, connecting with research, financing, and societal impact (PLOs 1, 3, 4). CLO C focuses on resource development for sustainable design integration, supporting research, design, financing, and impact assessment (PLOs 1, 2, 3, 4). CLO D emphasizes comprehensive material and system analysis, aligning with research, design, financing, and AIA framework application (PLOs 1, 2, 3, 5). This alignment ensures students gain a holistic understanding of sustainable architecture principles and practices within the context of life cycle cost analysis and circular economy concepts.
- 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 | Gain knowledge about sustainable technologies and alternate systems, both traditional and contemporary, that reduce adverse environmental and health impacts. | 1, 4, 5 |
| B | Understand global factors (economic and societal) that contribute to the resistance to implementing alternate systems and sustainable technologies. | 1, 3, 4 |
| C | Identify and develop a set of resources for the design integration of alternate sustainable technologies. | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| D | Research materials and building systems with regard to cost, lifespan, lifecycle cost, waste, production, transportation costs, embodied energy, and an ethic of resourcefulness. | 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Short Essay Quizzes | Eight open-book, single-page essay quizzes on LCCA and Circular Economy concepts. Each quiz is worth 10 points, totaling 80 points for the course. | 60 |
| Discussion Board Posts | Eight weekly online discussions exploring key topics in sustainable architecture and construction. These assignments align with weekly learning objectives, promoting critical thinking and peer-to-peer engagement on circular economy principles, decarbonization, energy efficiency, and sustainable industry practices. | 80 |
| Final Project | Comprehensive assignment requiring students to complete AIA Design Excellence applications and Life Cycle Cost Analyses for two designs: one meeting ASHRAE 50% Energy Reduction and another meeting Net Zero Energy Requirements. This project demonstrates mastery of sustainable design principles and economic analysis in architecture. | 40 |
| Total | 180 |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Short Essay Quizzes
Students will complete eight weekly short essay quizzes throughout the course. These open-book, open-note assignments are designed to assess comprehension and application of key concepts in LCCA (Life Cycle Cost Analysis) and the Circular Economy. Each quiz requires a single-page essay response and is worth 10 points, for a total of 80 points across the term. These quizzes will challenge students to articulate their understanding of sustainable practices and their application in architectural design and the built environment.
Discussion Board Posts
This course features eight weekly discussion board assignments, each aligned with the week's learning objectives. These discussions cover a range of topics including the circular economy, life cycle cost analysis, decarbonization, federal policies on sustainability, energy efficiency, material selection, maintenance practices, recycling, and implementing sustainable changes in the design and construction industry. Students will engage with these topics through guided prompts, encouraging critical thinking and application of course concepts. These discussions provide an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and the exploration of diverse perspectives on sustainable architecture and construction practices.
Final Project
The Final Project is a comprehensive assignment that demonstrates students' ability to apply sustainable design principles and economic analysis to real-world architectural scenarios. Students will complete two sets of tasks: First, they will complete an AIA application for Design Excellence meeting ASHRAE 50% Energy Reduction Requirements, followed by a Life Cycle Cost Analysis for this design. Second, they will repeat this process for a design meeting ASHRAE Net Zero Energy Reduction Requirements. This project integrates key course concepts, including energy-efficient design, sustainability standards, and economic evaluation, providing a practical application of the skills developed throughout the course.
Course Policies
Communication
If you need to contact me, please e-mail me directly at thomas.p.barczak-1@ou.edu. Canvas messaging is unreliable, please only use OU email for communication with me. I will do my best to respond within 24 hours, 48 hours max. Please note that work-life balance is very important to me, and I make an effort to avoid checking e-mail on the weekends if at all possible.
How will we address each other? My pronouns are he/him. In terms of titles, Mr. Barczak works just fine. If you go by a name other than the one listed in Canvas, please tell me how you prefer to be addressed. Additionally, if I mispronounce your name, do not hesitate to correct me. Respecting another's preferred pronouns, titles, and pronunciations is an easy way to show respect to your colleagues and is something I take very seriously.
Feedback
Assignments will be graded within one week of submission. If you would like a deeper dive into any feedback or grade you receive, I am happy to set up individual Zoom meetings to discuss further.
Late Policy
Late work will be accepted with a grade penalty as specified in the assignment rubrics. All assignments must be submitted by the due date. Extensions must be arranged prior to the deadline. Late submissions will incur a 10% grade reduction per day, and assignments submitted 3 or more days late will receive zero points. 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 |
|---|---|---|