ARCHITECTURE
Bachelor	TR-NQF-HE: Level 6	QF-EHEA: First Cycle	EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code	Course Name	Semester	Theoretical	Practical	Credit	ECTS
DES2917	Marks, Signs and Communication	Fall	2	0	2	4

This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction:	English
Type of course:	Departmental Elective
Course Level:	Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery:	Face to face
Course Coordinator :	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi RENK DİMLİ ORAKLIBEL
Course Lecturer(s):	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi RENK DİMLİ ORAKLIBEL
Recommended Optional Program Components:	.
Course Objectives:	This course intends to make students question their implicit assumptions on design activity. Students are equipped with a perspective on meaning in design practice, i.e. an understanding indispensable for designers, both as designers of new products or critics of existing ones.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1. Express an understanding of theories and models of communication and semiotics
2. Demonstrate ability to write, adapt, and critically evaluate reading materials
3. Develop analytical thinking
4. Demonstrate ability to encode and decode visual sign systems
5. Explore the semantic qualities of industrial design
6. Apply semantic qualities of industrial design to design process
7. Gain skills to conduct projects based on design and culture

Course Content

In this course you will investigate the various ways in which products are given meaning and value, the way they are received and appreciated (or depreciated), with an emphasis on social, historical and cultural meanings and contexts. You will learn basic concepts and brief history of semiotics, advertising analysis, literature of product semantics, product analysis, and participate in workshops on product analysis and critical thinking.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Introduction to course and discussion on meaning	N/A
2)	Basic Concepts of Semiology I: Saussure and Peirce	Fiske, John (1982) ‘Chapter 3: Communication, Meaning and Signs’, in Introduction to Communication Studies, London: Methuen, pp. 39-63.
3)	Basic Concepts of Semiology II: Codes	Fiske, John (1982) ‘Chapter 4: Codes’, in Introduction to Communication Studies, London: Methuen, pp. 65-83.
4)	Basic Concepts of Semiology III: Barthesian Semiotics	Fiske, John (1982) ‘Chapter 5: Signification’ in Introduction to Communication Studies, London: Methuen, pp.: 85-99.
5)	Basic Concepts of Semiology IV: Ideology	Fiske, John (1982) ‘Chapter 9: Ideology and Meanings’ in Introduction to Communication Studies, London: Methuen, pp.: 165-188. Submission of assignment 1
6)	Barthesian Semiotics of the Object	Barthes, Roland (1994) ‘Semantics of the Object’, in The Semiotic Challenge, University of California Press, pp.: 179-190. Barthes, Roland (1972) ‘The New Citroen’, in Mythologies, Hill and Wang.
7)	Student presentations: Semiotic analysis of an advertisement	Preparation for presentation
8)	Product Semantics I - How is Semiotics used in design?	Submission of assignment 2
9)	Product Semantics II – “Design as Communication”	Krippendorff, Klaus; Butter, Reinhart (1984) Product Semantics: Exploring the Symbolic Qualities of Form. Scholarly Commons, pp.: 4-9.
10)	Product Semantics III – “Design is Always a Message”	Krippendorff, Klaus; Butter, Reinhart (2007) Semantics: Meanings and Contexts of Artifacts. In Product Experience, eds. Hendrik N.J. Schifferstein and Paul Hekkert, New York: Elsevier, pp.: 1-25. Submission of assignment 3
11)	Product Semantics IV – Contemporary Discussions on Semantics	N/A
12)	Product Semantics Workshop – Applying Semantics to Design Process	Submission of assignment 4
13)	Product Semantics Workshop – Applying Semantics to Design Process	Preparation for workshop
14)	Product Semantics Workshop – Applying Semantics to Design Process	Preparation for workshop

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:

1. Fiske, John (1982) Introduction to Communication Studies. London: Methuen.
2. Barthes, Roland (1994) The Semiotic Challenge. University of California Press.
3. Barthes, Roland (2012) Mythologies. New York: Hill and Wang.
4. Krippendorff, Klaus; Butter, Reinhart (1984) Product Semantics: Exploring the Symbolic Qualities of Form. Scholarly Commons.
8. Krippendorff, Klaus; Butter, Reinhart (2007) Semantics: Meanings and Contexts of Artifacts. In Product Experience, eds. Hendrik N.J. Schifferstein and Paul Hekkert, New York: Elsevier, pp.: 1-25.

References:

1. Krippendorf, K. (2006). The Semantic Turn: A New Foundation for Design. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis Group.
2. Silverman, Kaja (1983) ‘From Sign to Subject’, in The Subject of Semiotics, New York: Oxford University Press, pp.: 3-25.

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Attendance	14	% 5
Homework Assignments	3	% 55
Final	1	% 40
Total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 40
Total		% 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities	Number of Activities	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Course Hours	13	2	26
Study Hours Out of Class	14	4	56
Presentations / Seminar	1	2	2
Homework Assignments	4	2	8
Final	1	2	2
Total Workload			94

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect	1 Lowest	2 Low	3 Average	4 High	5 Highest

	Program Outcomes	Level of Contribution
1)	Using the theoretical/conceptual and practical knowledge acquired for architectural design, design activities and research.
2)	Identifying, defining and effectively discussing aesthetic, functional and structural requirements for solving design problems using critical thinking methods.
3)	Being aware of the diversity of social patterns and user needs, values and behavioral norms, which are important inputs in the formation of the built environment, at local, regional, national and international scales.
4)	Gaining knowledge and skills about architectural design methods that are focused on people and society, sensitive to natural and built environment in the field of architecture.
5)	Gaining skills to understand the relationship between architecture and other disciplines, to be able to cooperate, to develop comprehensive projects; to take responsibility in independent studies and group work.
6)	Giving importance to the protection of natural and cultural values in the design of the built environment by being aware of the responsibilities in terms of human rights and social interests.
7)	Giving importance to sustainability in the solution of design problems and the use of natural and artificial resources by considering the social, cultural and environmental issues of architecture.
8)	Being able to convey and communicate all kinds of conceptual and practical thoughts related to the field of architecture by using written, verbal and visual media and information technologies.
9)	Gaining the ability to understand and use technical information about building technology such as structural systems, building materials, building service systems, construction systems, life safety.
10)	Being aware of legal and ethical responsibilities in design and application processes.