DIRECTED THESIS RESEARCH

DIRECTED THESIS RESEARCH: Methodology 660

New York School of Interior Design Fall 2006

SYLLABUS

Explore the architecture of information as it relates to an advanced level of design. Learn how to build your knowledge of the vast repertoire of information on interior design, architecture and building. Since one of the major components of any problem-solving process is to define the relation of the problem at hand to previously solved problems, this course will focus on how to locate and use existing knowledge and data. You will leave this component of the course with a competency in research that will ensure that you can not only ask the right questions, but also find the answers. We shall explore the following modes of information: primary sources (interviews, archives and manuscripts); secondary sources (published texts and journals, electronic databases); visual and graphic sources; the Internet. Class members will each select a facility type or buildings system and assemble a research methodology for the topic. The result will be a written thesis project proposal with supporting information on building or site selection.

Outline of Topics

Design as a basic problem-solving process

The nature and craft of research

Building types

Formulation of questions

Presenting information

Meeting Time and Place

Wednesday

9:00 am-12:30 pm

Room 406

Instructor

Eric Wolf, Director of the Library

Tel. 212/472-1500 x216

Fax. 212/472-8175

Email: eric@nysid.edu

Office: Library Director’s Office, Library (2^nd Floor, 70^th Street Building)

Office Hours: By Appointment

General Requirements

Regular and punctual attendance at all class meetings

Completion of all assignments, written and oral, on time

Preliminary project: Annotated bibliography and bibliographic essay on thesis topic

Intermediate project: development, production and presentation or thesis proposal –including problem statement, theoretical analysis, documentation of research methodology, site description, history and analysis

Grading Criteria (Methodology sessions constitute 1/3 of course grade)

Assignments 1 and 2                                             20%
Preliminary Project                                                25%
Intermediate Project                                             30%
Thesis Proposal Presentation                                 15%
Class Attendance and Participation                    10%

Class Schedule

September 6 Introduction

· Course objectives

· The nature and craft of research

· Design as a problem-solving process

· The problem statement—topic, problem, implications

· Discussion on selection of topic area

· Authorship, rights and responsibilities

· Local information resources

September 13 Evaluating information sources

· Global information resources

· Ethics of information use