This module aims to:

1. Provide students with an understanding of the role of urban and building rehabilitation within historic fabrics.
2. Provide students with knowledge about the transitions from the past to the future by exploring reconstruction, renovation and adaptive reuse practices.
3. Provide students with skills to be able to analyse and compare Islamic high and vernacular architecture and urban form to gain a deeper insight into the breadth of Islamic cultural traditions worldwide.
4. Provide students with methods and tools for establishing critical understanding of the architectural and urban elements of the Islamic city in different contexts, including ‘high’ and ‘peripheral’ traditional settlements.
5. Introduce students to the complex challenges of heritage management of Islamic cities including key architectural structures, such as mosques, madrasas, and fortification elements.
6. Provid e students with skills to be able to investigate the complexity involved in community participation and the use of traditional material in reconstruction and renovation in different geographical contexts.

(LO1) Develop a critical understanding of the evolution of the Islamic world, through historical chronological outlines highlighting locational characteristics and organisational features.

(LO2) Investigate and compare the principal architectural and urban elements of the Islamic city in different contexts, including ‘high’ and ‘peripheral’ traditional settlements.

(LO3) Explore methods of interventions on existing buildings and urban spaces for the enhancement of their historic significance and contemporary use.

(LO4) Critically investigate the relevance of architectural qualities and urban characteristics of Islamic built environments in general (medina form for example), and in particular (mosques, madrasas, ornaments) to contemporary design.

(LO5) Apply a variety of techniques and methods related to investigating contemporary debates surrounding the issues of conservation and restoration in the Islamic world.

(LO6) Confirm a critical understanding of definitions, rationale and relevance, methodological approach, design operations and tools for adaptive reuse and/or development proposals.

(LO7) Critically understand the importance of building a resilient community through collaborative rehabilitation efforts, besides investigating participatory design methods and strategies applied to restoration and adaptive reuse initiatives.

(S1) Data collection, research and analysis skills.

(S2) Demonstrate international perspectives by being able to locate, discuss, analyse, and evaluate information from international sources.

(S3) Understanding ethical and social responsibility issues in particular settings; value diversity and similarities of architectural languages and cultures.

(S4) Problem solving/ questioning and critical thinking.

(S5) Written literacy/ ability to produce clear, well-structured and well-written work, besides producing heritage drawings.

(S6) Communication and presentation skills / oral literacy.

(S7) Time management.

Module topics will typically include:
• Introduction to the module and the great urban centres of the Islamic world;
• Architectural and urban splendours of the Islamic world;
• Ports and centres of exchange;
• Mosques and madrasas;
• Fortifications and citadels in the Islamic world;
• Material ornaments and light;
• Debates on conservation and restoration;
• Adaptive reuse and human agency;
• The community in different regions;
• Adaptive reuse and infrastructure.

The module syllabus commences with an introduction to the key characteristics of the architectural and urban centres of the Islamic world. Students will be requested to investigate topics related to particular architectural buildings, such as citadels, mosques and madrasas, which have shaped the “Islamic cities” over centuries. The latter will also be explored in a variety of geographical settings. Students will be able to discuss their findings and ideas in seminars and workshop. The coursework will be based on a critical analysis and a comparison between case studies representing ‘high and ‘peripheral’ contexts.

All lectures will be stream captured. All materials including reading lists (essential and recommended), and lectures will be available online on Canvas.

In this Syllabus, students will have the opportunity to build their own research activity as they will be taught and guided by staff who research in the Islamic architecture and heritage field. The formative and summative assessments will deliver an authentic assessment through the semester. As such, students will gain confidence throughout their conversation with different heritage experts and via presenting their own work in the final week. Digital fluency and global citizenship elements will also be delivered via different well-plan ned activities. For example, an online discussion board will be designed on Canvas to encourage students to raise questions and issues to discuss in this module, in addition to including a list of regularly updated FAQs. While students’ employability will be enhanced by acquiring key criteria of the eight Areas of Competences recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).

Teaching method 1: Lecture
Description: Some weekly sessions through the semester will be structured as combined lecture and workshop sessions. The first hour will usually include a lecture introducing key topics in the module. In addition, this will introduce the themes for readings and discussion in the following week; this is followed by one-hour workshop or Q&A session.
Attendance recorded: Yes
Description of how self-directed learning hours may be used: Students will be directed to reading list and additional sources and information on Canvas and other digital online material.
Teaching method 2: Workshop
Description: Some weekly sessions through the semester will be structured as combined lecture and workshop sessions. In selected weeks, the two hours session will be formatted as only workshops, in which the students will have the opportunity to discuss this course work and presentation, including topics, methods, locations and other related issues.
Attendance recorded: Yes
Description of how self-directed learning hours may be used: Students will be encouraged to choose and develop their own case studies for the course work.