ARCH107 Understanding Art and Architecture
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Oct 10, 2025
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Architecture
Nerma Omićević
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts of art and architectural practice, through an analysis of the production of art and architecure drawn form a range of historical periods and contexts.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Understanding Architecture. Its Elements, History and Meaning. Leland M. Roth and Amanda C. Roth Clark. Third Edition. Routledge. 2014; The Story of Art by E.H.Gombrich. Phaidon Press. 16th Edition. 2007; Understanding Art. Lois Fichner Rathus. Cengage Learning. Eleventh Edition. 2017; The Fundamentals of Architecture. Farrelly, L. Second Edition. Ava Publishing. 2012;
Additional Literature
Additional literature will be provided as and when requiredTeaching Methods
Lectures and class discussions; Set readings will form a key component of the teaching practice.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course introduction, Assignments and Course administration | |
| 2 | Introduction to Art and Architecture | |
| 3 | Understanding Art and Architecture - Line, Shape, Light and Color | |
| 4 | Understanding Art and Architecture - Texture, Pattern, Space, Time and Motion | |
| 5 | Understanding Art and Architecture - Conventional and non-conventional types of drawing | Submission of Assignment 1 |
| 6 | Non-working day | |
| 7 | Understanding Art and Architecture - Photography, Film and Digital Arts/Land Art, Memorial Landscapes | |
| 8 | Midterm Exam | |
| 9 | Introduction to Assignment 2 | |
| 10 | Assignment 2 - Tutorials | |
| 11 | Assignment 2 - Tutorials | |
| 12 | Assignment 2 - Tutorials | |
| 13 | Assignment 2 - Tutorials | |
| 14 | Assignment 2 - Tutorials | |
| 15 | Submission of Assignment 2 |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH107.1 | Course | Monday 10:00 - 11:50 | B F1.23 - Amphitheater I | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 12:00 | A F3.18 | |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 12:00 | A F3.18 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3 4
In-term exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 3
Assignments
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 3 ECTS credit course corresponds to 75 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture Hours
28 hours ⏳ (14 week × 2 h)
Assignments
6 hours ⏳ (2 week × 3 h)
Home Study
10 hours ⏳ (10 week × 1 h)
In-term exam study
10 hours ⏳ (1 week × 10 h)
Final Exam study
15 hours ⏳ (1 week × 15 h)
In-term Assignment
6 hours ⏳ (2 week × 3 h)
75 Total Workload Hours
3 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [ARCH107] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Oct 10, 2025 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| ARCH107 | Understanding Art and Architecture | 2 | 0 | 3 | Monday 10:00-11:50 | |||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Nerma Omićević | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Wednesday: 9:30-12:00 Thursday: 9:30-12:00 |
|||||||
| nomicevic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | This course will introduce students to the basic concepts of art and architectural practice, through an analysis of the production of art and architecure drawn form a range of historical periods and contexts. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Understanding Architecture. Its Elements, History and Meaning. Leland M. Roth and Amanda C. Roth Clark. Third Edition. Routledge. 2014; The Story of Art by E.H.Gombrich. Phaidon Press. 16th Edition. 2007; Understanding Art. Lois Fichner Rathus. Cengage Learning. Eleventh Edition. 2017; The Fundamentals of Architecture. Farrelly, L. Second Edition. Ava Publishing. 2012; | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Lectures and class discussions; Set readings will form a key component of the teaching practice. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Course introduction, Assignments and Course administration | |||||||||
| Week 2 | Introduction to Art and Architecture | |||||||||
| Week 3 | Understanding Art and Architecture - Line, Shape, Light and Color | |||||||||
| Week 4 | Understanding Art and Architecture - Texture, Pattern, Space, Time and Motion | |||||||||
| Week 5 | Understanding Art and Architecture - Conventional and non-conventional types of drawing | Submission of Assignment 1 | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Non-working day | |||||||||
| Week 7 | Understanding Art and Architecture - Photography, Film and Digital Arts/Land Art, Memorial Landscapes | |||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm Exam | |||||||||
| Week 9 | Introduction to Assignment 2 | |||||||||
| Week 10 | Assignment 2 - Tutorials | |||||||||
| Week 11 | Assignment 2 - Tutorials | |||||||||
| Week 12 | Assignment 2 - Tutorials | |||||||||
| Week 13 | Assignment 2 - Tutorials | |||||||||
| Week 14 | Assignment 2 - Tutorials | |||||||||
| Week 15 | Submission of Assignment 2 | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 30 | 3,4 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| In-term exam | 1 | 30 | 1,3 | Not Allowed | |
| Assignments | 2 | 40 | 1,2 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 2 | 14 | 28 | Assignments | 3 | 2 | 6 | |||
| Home Study | 1 | 10 | 10 | In-term exam study | 10 | 1 | 10 | |||
| Final Exam study | 15 | 1 | 15 | In-term Assignment | 3 | 2 | 6 | |||
| Total Workload Hours = | 75 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 3 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 23/10/2025 | |||||||||