Course Syllabus

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE IN
1 Course title
THE ISLAMIC CONTEXT
2 Course number 0932714
Credit hours (theory, practical) 3 Credit hour
3
Contact hours (theory, practical) 3contact hours per week
4 Prerequisites/co requisites -
5 Program title Master Degree in Architecture Thesis Program
6 Program code 0932
7 Awarding institution The University of Jordan
8 School School of Engineering
9 Department Department of Architecture Engineering
10 Level of course Post Graduate
11 Year of study and semester (s) 2022/2023, 2nd Spring semester
12 Final Qualification Master of Architecture Engineering
Other department (s) involved in
13 None
teaching the course
14 Language of Instruction English
15 Date of production/revision 2005

16. Course Coordinator:

PROF. Omar M N Amireh

Phone number: 06 5355000 Ext.
Email addresses: amireh@ju.edu.jo

17. Other instructors:

18. Course Description:

As of the master study plan

This course deals with the interaction between Islam and the ancient civilizations. Impact of Islamic
ethics on architecture in different Islamic regions. Cultural, social, climatic and environmental
influences on local identity of buildings in the Islamic World. Analysis of contemporary trends of
architecture in some of the Islamic countries.
As of the intended updated evolution of both Islamic and Contemporary trends and movements
The course will handle and integrate the latest contemporary movements and trends evolved, developed
in western countries and spread globally in Islamic regions including the Middle East.
The nature that relates contemporary architecture and Islamic context will be mainly derived
from the context and architecture of genotype and phenotype concepts, that is the variation
produced through a complex of interactions between genotype and the environment. Phenotype,
genotype, and environment, addresses the relationship between architecture and identity.
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 Genotypes are abstract relational models that govern the arrangement of space, and the
principle of organizing space and phenotypes is the real realization of genotypes in the physical
environment. Genotype is considered also as a reflection that is not only conceptualize the
spatial organization but also the nature of social and cultural patterns. The course presents an
understanding of the connectedness variant phenotype from a genotype and environment. The
repetition pattern being stable structure in variation phenotype uses as a database to finding an
identity in architecture.

19. Course aims and outcomes:

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 A- Aims:

 Introduction to the latest movements, trends and applications of contemporary

architecture in Jordan, the Middle East and the World.
 Understanding where, why, and how Islamic context can be integrated in the
rapid changing and growing influence of international theories, concepts and
philosophy of contemporary architecture.
 Apprehending the differences and similarities of modern and contemporary
conditions in the preservation of individual peculiarities and national identity of
architectural environment. A practical approach to vitalize the Islamic context
which can be done by collecting data identity in architecture, both contemporary
and Islamic.
 Communicating the present era of contemporary architecture with its changing
modes of genotype, phenotype and traits, generating specific new designs in
response to the historical precedents and humanistic and environmental local
and regional considerations.
 Exploring the latest tools, systems, theories, practices and applications used and
applied in contemporary architecture which would on the one hand find traces
and precedents in Islamic Architecture and on the other can present revivalism,
development’s and regenerations of Contemporary Islamic Architecture.
 Preserving the collective identity of the Islamic community in which historical and
cultural approaches are one of the main procedures, where the role of
contemporary architecture is to take the old and now culture into consideration,
and to find out a practical approach to vitalize the Islamic context of architecture.

B- Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

1. Students will apprehend the role of Islamic context in solving problems generated by the
changing policies, strategies, concepts, designs and systems of building structure,
phenomenology, morphology and languages of contemporary architecture.
2. Will understand the contemporary architecture evolution. process, procedures, and
methodologies.
3. Will refer to real concepts and design problems with real environmental conditions of real
local and regional cases.
4. Be trained to handle existing cases of architectural design problems and evaluate related
parameters and properties and analyse their conditions and decide the level of integration or
segregation with local cultural identity.
5. Data sets and modelling of Islamic context that would help students to test the viability, reliability,
credibility and integrity of contemporary concepts before applying them in local and regional
environments.
6. Comprehend and relate methodologies, applications, and practices on the international,
regional and local levels.
7. Relate theories with hypotheses at the professional level for reaching solutions through the
different practices and experiences within local and international applications.
8. Knowing and adopting certain processes of architectural studies procedures including
surveys, analysis, and synthesis within certain architectural genotype or phonotype traits.
9. Dealing with heritage, history, culture, values, precepts, and concepts of local communities,
societies, and congregations within modern and contemporary environments and concepts.

20. Topic Outline and Schedule:

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 Achieved
Topic Week Evaluation Methods Reference
ILOs
Introduction 1 Discussion and
Dialogue
Idea Set, Content and Context 2 Oral Evaluation
Participation
Contemporary Concepts Local 3 Oral Evaluation Contempora
Approach Participation ry
architecture
in Jordan
Syllabus Formulation Course 4 Handout Evaluation
Content Established

Contemporary architecture 5,6 Essay

evolution. process, procedures,
and methodologies.

Islamic Context Strategies, 7-8 Essay

Evolution Formation and
Transformation
One day Essay Evaluation
9 Oral Discussion
Phenotype, Genotype and
Environment in Architecture

Research 10 SEMINARS
Report 10-12 STAGE THREE
Presentation 13
Final Exam 14 Exam

21. Teaching Methods and Assignments:

Development of ILOs is promoted through the following teaching and learning methods:
1- Lectures and Class Discussion:
2-Demonstration: The demonstration is presented by students.
3-Tutorials: Students can use office hours for more info
4-Laboratory: The classroom setting for this course is a studio, a large open
room with drawing tables.
5- Assignments, Report, Projects:

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22. Evaluation Methods and Course Requirements:

Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the ILOs are provided through the following assessment
methods and requirements:

1- Mid-Term Essay One day essay and possibly paper evaluation

(20%)
2- Semester Research Special topic Each student or group of two
students are to propose and select a apical
topic from the theme discussed as the general
concept to work with (50%)
3- Final Term essay Three hours essay course and topics chart
conclusion (30%)

23. Course Policies:

A- Attendance policies:
Attendance is obligatory, asthe explanation of the exercise, the reference, the outcomes, andthe
techniques areneeded; all these shouldn’t be missed.
Using E-learning weekly to view home works, marks, recommended readings, and supporting
audiovisuals is necessary.
An absence of more than 15% of the number of classes, which is equivalent to (4) classes, requires
that the student provides an official excuse to the instructor and the dean.
If the excuse was accepted the student is required to withdraw from the module.
If the excuse was rejected the student will fail the module and amark of zero will be assigned as
suggested by the laws and regulations of the University of Jordan. Please refer to the student
handbook: http://registration.ju.edu.jo/Documents/daleel.pdf.

B- Absences from exams and handing in assignments on time:

All exercises are handed directly at the end of the studio session; homework assignments are a
medium to have more experience and to train more at home.

Every student should take a photograph for every marked exercise and exam and submit a file
containing those photos on https://elearning.ju.edu.jo/moodle10/.

Absence from exams:

The instructor will not do any make-up exams.
Exceptions for make-up exams and late submission of class assignments will be made on a case-by-
case basis for true personal emergencies that are described as accepted by the regulations of UJ (e.g.,
student.com exam, documented medical, personal, or family emergency).

C- Health and safety procedures:

Students should be careful when using a scalpel to avoid injuries.
Sitting in a healthy way while drawing to avoid slipped discs.

D- Honesty policy regarding cheating, plagiarism, and misbehavior:

There are strict university rules concerning cheating, plagiarism, and ,misbehavior and all the students
are introduced to these rules.

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Any form of academic misconduct will be handled according to the University of Jordan guidelines.

E- Grading policy:
Grades are related to the final achievement for each exercise, the process, the understanding, and the
development.

F- Available university services that support achievement in the course:

Department’s labs.

24. Required equipment: (Facilities, Tools, Labs, Training….)

Facilities:
Tools:
Training:

25. References:

Textbooks and Reading

Handouts and textbooks readings will be will be uploaded in due course

References
- Jencks, Charles: KROPT, Karl (1991): theories and manifestations of contemporary Architecture,
Academy Editions, Chichester.
- HEYNEN, Hilde (1999): Architecture and modernity. Massachusetts institute of Technology, Cambridge.
- HIEL-SILING, (Sabine (2000)): the 20th century icons of Architecture. Prestel, Munich.
- SPILLER, Neil (2006). Visionary Architecture: Blueprints of the modern imagination Thames and
Hudson, London

Rogers M. The Spread of Islam Oxford 1976.

Richard E.T. Moslem Architecture 623-1516 some Causes and Consequences London 1926.
Muqarnas All Editions.
Hoag. J.D. Islamic Architecture London Milan 1987.
Hakim B.S. Arabic Islamic Cities London 1986.
Crabar O., The Formation of Islamic Art London 1973.

26. Additional information:

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Name of Course Coordinator: Dr. Omar Amireh. Signature: ------------------ Date: 13-10-2022

Head of thecurriculum committee/Department: ----------------------------- Signature: ----------------------

-----

Head of Department: Prof. Nabeel AlKurdi. Signature: -----------------------

Head of thecurriculum committee/Faculty: ----------------------------------------- Signature: ----------------

----

Dean: --------------------------------------------------------- -Signature: -------------------------------------------

Copy to:
Head of Department
Assistant Dean for Quality Assurance
Course File

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