School of Art and Architecture
Program : Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
COURSE OUTLINE - LESSON PLAN
Course Title : Dissertation
Course Code: 21BAR-1DT41P
Semester : 7 Academic Session : Core/Elective: Core Credits: 6
2024-25
Course Designed by: Prerana Hazarika Course Instructors: Prerana Hazarika
(Coordinator and mentor), Himanshu Sanghani
E-mail:
[email protected] ( Coordinator and mentor)
E-mail :
[email protected],
[email protected]
Pre-requisites : Through understanding of Research Methodology course in the 6th semester
1. Course Outcomes
The students would be able to:
CO1 Review existing research and theory, identify and describe key components of the area of research
CO2 Establish a research strategy, design the research, determine appropriate methodology to gather
information (data collection methods)
CO3 Analyse and interpret data to synthesise complex information and question hypothesis
CO4 Demonstrate the ability to go through a complete process of formulating research and communicate
a logical conclusion effectively to colleagues
2. Text Books
● Research Methodology : Kothari, C.R., Garg, Gaurav
● Ranjit Kumar, Research Methodology: A Step by Step Guide for. Beginners, Sage India
● Black, James A. and Dean J. Champion, Methods and Issues in Social Research, Wiley, New Jersey,
1976
● Borden, Iain and Katerina Ruedi Ray, The Dissertation: A Guide for Architecture Students, Routledge,
2014 (III edition)
● Groat, Linda and David Wang, Architectural Research Methods, Wiley, New Jersey, 2013 (2nd
edition)
● Eco, Umberto, How to Write a Thesis (trans. Caterina Mongiat Farina and Geoff Farina), The MIT
Press, London and Cambridge, 2015
3. Reference Books
● http://www.newagepublishers.com/samplechapter/000896.pdf
● http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/drpattron68-138583-Research-Methodology-
CONTENTSConstitutes-Topic-Select-Limitations-method-Entertainment-ppt-powerpoint
● JSTOR Full Text
● Web of Science Full Text
(These and other databases can be found in http://libguides.lib.xjtlu.edu.cn/architecture)
4. Lecture Plan (Total Sessions – 16)
Sess Session topic / sub-topic description Unit Date Methodology used (ppt, Deans remarks with date
ion no. white board,
Planned Taken on
No. audio/video, practical,
on
visit, self study based)
1 Orientation, discussion on the topic, Finalisation of Synopsis in 1 22-08-24 Class discussion and
consultation with assigned guide, Introduction to Dissertation lecture based
and overview of course.
2 Discussion on research question (what, why, how), and 1 29-08-24 Refined Synopsis with a
developing the aim, objectives, scope, limitations, justification of well defined Research
research, methodology, diagramming of research. Question and indicative
Troubleshooting and structuring the introduction chapter. Bibliography (500 words
Literature Review with framework of analysis: Thorough excluding citations and
investigation of books, articles, culling out of relevant themes, bibliography)
constructing a research narrative based on scope and
limitations.
3 Literature Review with framework of analysis: Thorough 1 05-09-24 Class discussion
investigation of books, articles, culling out of relevant themes,
constructing a research narrative based on scope and
limitations.
4 Guide review 1 on Synopsis, detailed Aims and Objectives, and 2 12-09-24 Guide review 1
Chapterization with brief indication of contents (1000 words
excluding citations and bibliography - APA style referencing
system and citation)
5 Finalising the research design and data collection: List of case 2 19-09-24 Class discussion
studies/data sources.
6 Discussion on data collection tools and methods 2 26-09-24 Class discussion and
lecture based
7 Mid-Term Review on Introduction, theoretical framework and 2 03-10-24 Mid term cross panel
initial List of case studies/data sources. Discussion on data review 1
collection tools and methods data collection, (2000 words
excluding citations and bibliography- APA style referencing
system and citation) + Presentation (Not more than 10 slides)
8 Data collection (case studies / collected data) +remedial session 3 10-10-24 Class discussion and
based on mid term performance lecture based + Remedial
week
9 Collation of data and Data analysis, inference generation 3 17-10-24 Class discussion and
lecture based
10 Drawing inferences/conclusion 4 24-10-24 Class discussion
11 Diwali holiday 31-10-24
Writing and compilation (format and templates will be shared) 4 07-11-24 Class discussion
12 Guide review 2 on Submission of draft report with final 4 14-11-24 Guide review 2
inferences/ conclusion to guide and discussion, submission of
draft report to mentors for plagiarism check (5000-6000 words
excluding citations and bibliography) + Presentation
13 Presentation of final draft (5000-6000 words excluding citations 4 21-11-24 End term Cross panel
and bibliography) + Presentation review 2
14 Remedial week 4 28-11-24
15 Dissertation submission to guide (8000-10000 words excluding 4 05-12-24 Guide review 3
citations and bibliography) + Presentation
Aim
According to Borden and Ray, dissertation is ‘a way of conceiving, and producing architecture through
sentences, paragraphs and considered argument. It is an arena in which to alternatively explain, explore,
challenge, theorise or imagine architecture’ (2006, p. 1). It offers an opportunity to make a contribution to
what we think about architecture, situate our thoughts within a larger body of existing literature and texts,
and present them to others in an acceptable academic format.
Course Description
The Research Methodology & Seminar course in the sixth semester introduced the student to the
fundamentals of research, research methodology, research design, and tools of analysis. At the culmination
of the semester each student prepared and submitted a synopsis outlining a topic, method of research inquiry
and possible texts and case studies – the ‘what, why and how’ of, as well as the academic apparatus of
academic writing. The synopsis forms the bridge to Dissertation in the seventh semester.
Teaching Method
The course will be conducted through mentor sessions (2 hours in a week) in addition to guide sessions
(individual tutorials) and lectures / seminars on various topics by the coordinator, faculty and experts.
Together these would help the student to design their research, collect and analyse data, and present their
findings in a coherent, well written and properly cited dissertation. The student will be encouraged to
demonstrate originality and risk taking (in topic selection and methodology) without compromising on the
rigour of research, writing and adhering to academic frameworks.
Approach
The objective of dissertation is to enable the student to undertake independent research in consultation with
a guide on an aspect of architecture and/or its intersectional ties across other discipline. The student goes
through an iterative process of working on the defined manner of inquiry with due consideration given to
arguments and counter arguments and progresses through an outlined methodology to conclude the work in
the form of a structured written dissertation that contributes to the existing body of knowledge.
Deliverables
Assignment Assignment Specifications Weightage Submission Course
No. Type Date Outcomes
Assessment Individual Aims and Objectives, and 10% 12-09-24 CO1
1 (Guide Chapterisation with brief
review 1) (A4 Print) indication of contents (1000
words excluding citations and
bibliography)
Assessment Individual Introduction, theoretical 10% 03-10-24 CO1,CO2
2 (Mid term (A4 print) + framework and initial data
cross panel Presentation collection (2000 words
review) (Not more excluding citations and
than 10 bibliography)
slides)
Assessment Individual Submission of draft report 10% 14-11-24 CO1,CO2,CO3
3 (Guide (A4 Print) + with final inferences/
review 2) Presentation conclusion to guide and
discussion, submission of
draft report to mentors for
plagiarism check (5000-6000
words excluding citations and
bibliography)
Assessment Individual Presentation of final draft 10% 21-11-24 CO1,CO2,CO3,
4 (End term (A4 Print) + (5000-6000 words excluding CO4
cross panel Presentation citations and bibliography)
review)
Assessment Individual Final draft (8000-10000 10% 05-12-24 CO1,CO2,CO3,
5 (Guide (Hard bound words excluding citations and CO4
review 3) A4 Print) + bibliography)
Presentation
Assessment Scheme
INTERNAL 1 (I1) INTERNAL 2 (I2)
Continuous Assessment Continuous Assessment
MSE
ESE
Guide Review Cross Review Guide (I1 + I2)
Guide Review 1 Cross Review 1
2 2 Review 3
10 10 10 10 10 50 50
Grading criteria and assessment rubrics applicable on all assignments
Dimension Excellent Good Average Below average
Scale 7-10 5-6 2-4 0-1
Title, Concise, Relevant and of Lacks relevance or Missing or
abstract informative, required size, fails to offer inappropriate given
and clearly offering details appropriate details the problem,
indicate the about the proposed about the proposed research questions,
relevant study. study or is too and method.
details of the lengthy.
proposed
study.
Research Articulates Research questions Elements are poorly Research question(s),
question, clear, are stated clearly formed, ambiguous, definitions,
hypothesis reasonable, and are connected or not logically assumptions and
and succinct to the research topic connected to the limitations were
research description of the omitted or
questions, and problem, purpose or inappropriate given
questions are research methods. the context, purpose
fresh, or methods of the
interesting and study.
significant.
Research The purpose, Identified and Confusing or Erroneous for the
design questions, and described in incomplete given hypothesis states or
design are sufficiently detailed the research has not been
mutually terms. Some questions. identified and or
supportive and limitations and Important described using
coherent. assumptions have limitations and standard terminology.
Appropriate been identified. assumptions have Limitations and
and important not been identified. assumptions are
limitations and omitted.
assumptions
have been
clearly stated.
Organization The narrative Proposal format has The content and The length of the
of study has the been followed length of the narrative exceeds the
appropriate mostly. The narrative proposal are suggested limit as
length and the presents the ideas in inadequate (i.e. indicated in the
ideas are an almost structural there is some logic solicitation. The ideas
presented in a and logical manner. in the narrative part, are presented in a
clear structural but the ideas lack random manner with
and logic clear focus and no focus.
manner structural
identifying argumentation).
reasonable well
the reasons
and means to
achieve the
goal of the
proposal
Plagiarism
What is Plagiarism?
The theft of ideas (such as the plots of narrative or dramatic works) or of written passages or works, where
these are passed off as one's own work without acknowledgement of their true origin; or a piece of writing
thus stolen.
-- The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms. 2008. Oxford University Press.
Common Forms of Plagiarism
• Copying directly from others without acknowledgement of the original source
• Using ideas or rephrasing text from without acknowledgement of the original source
• Using charts, tables, pictures or diagrams from others without referencing
• Reusing some parts of your previous work
• Submitting other people’s work as your own
How to avoid plagiarism?
• Use your own ideas.
• Paraphrase + give proper credit to the original source.
• Use quotation marks when using exact words from other authors + give proper credit to the original source.
• Organize and track your sources and materials
