Vak: Act Conscious: Learning credits: 30

Content
The course Year 1: act conscious: learning (30 EC) contains five development-oriented courses during the academic year: two design studios, one research studio and two professional development presentations.
As an Academic institution we try to engage in urgent spatial and social issues in order to make positive impact, since our key values are: Act Conscious, Get Dirty and Add Value. These complex problems (societal, technological, environmental, cultural and other challenges) are defined in five research themes that are the basis of the studio’s (design and research). The defined themes are: Inclusivity, Climate Adaptability, Sustainability, The Long Now and Livability. The 6th is to be defined by the students (it has been Affordability in the academic year 2021-2022). In 3 year’s we address all these themes and  start a new cycle. Each studio will be dedicated to an actual theme and will focus on what architectural designers can add. For this year studio the themes will be on ’Sustainability’ and ‘The Long Now’. The findings of this studio will be bundle to expand the body of knowledge.  In order to gain an broader understanding of the issue at hand we will investigate in gaining knowledge together. The Theory Thursdays will provide a more theoretical background on the topic and the workshops more specific skills.

In the research studio, the students develop their research and analytical skills and, also obtain theoretical knowledge. Every research studio is characterized by a specific research agenda, which will coincide either with the preceding or the following design studio. Thus, during the research studio, the students are given the opportunity to delve into the topic on which they have already or are going to focus their design assignment. In this way they get extra insights into the topic, but also in different research methodologies, and develop their academic writing and presentation skills.

Professional development
During this day the professional and personal development of the student is discussed in relation to the defined learning outcomes per academic year. The aim is to provide an insight into the student's development and to recognize any difficulties and/or stagnation.

Working method
Work is done with the entire year group, both in sub-groups and individually. Supervision of the design exercises is carried out by a fixed team of lecturers per exercise, though the composition of this team will change during the studio. Furthermore, external guests will be invited for specific sub-areas (planning, landscape, construction, installations, knowledge of materials).

Conclusion/assessment
During the year each sub-test assesses where the student is in relation to the learning outcomes of the academic year, therefore the student receives development-oriented feedback. At the end of the academic year, during an annual meeting with the core teachers, the overall assessment takes place. The core teachers use the outcomes of the sub-tests to assess whether the learning outcomes of the relevant academic year have been shown by the student. If, at the end of the annual meeting, all learning outcomes are concluded with a positive assessment, 30 EC are added for the entire course.

Studio’s
The development-orientated feedback in the studio’s is based on a final presentation for the theory and skills labs and a final presentation of the design project. Besides that the students also hands-in a process book. In order to take part in the examination a student needs to have been participating in at least 85% of the skills labs and theory Thursdays. 
Professional development
During Professional development, the student gives a presentation discussing personal and professional development in relation to the learning outcomes of the relevant academic year. 
For the second professional development (in July), the student provides a written reflection report next to the presentation.

Duration/study load
One year, 30 ECTS