ARCH372 Compositions in Architecture
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Oct 10, 2025
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Architecture
Tomasz Eugeniusz Malec
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
The course aims are to introduce students to advanced architectural composition. Students should possess the knowledge of all the principles of composition and complex relations between various forms and as well as their impact on surroundings. The second aim is to introduce them to critical thinking in design and decision making in the field of architectural form.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Malec, T., A Simple Introduction to Architecture, IUS, 2019
Additional Literature
Krier, R., Architectural Composition, Edition Axel Menges, 2010Teaching Methods
Face-to-face lectures
Tutorials
And project-based learning.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syllabus overview; introduction to basis of architectural composition | Chapter 1 |
| 2 | Urban landscape form analysis | Materials prov. for the lecture |
| 3 | Rural landscape form analysis | Materials prov. for the lecture |
| 4 | Single family house form analysis I | Chapter 2 |
| 5 | Single family house form analysis II | Materials prov. for the lecture |
| 6 | Multi-storey house form analysis I | Chapter 2 |
| 7 | Multi-storey house form analysis II | Materials prov. for the lecture |
| 8 | Midterm exam | Materials prov. for the lecture |
| 9 | Hotel form analysis I | Chapter 2 |
| 10 | Hotel form analysis II | Materials prov. for the lecture |
| 11 | Shopping mall form analysis I | Chapter 2 |
| 12 | Shopping mall form analysis II | Materials prov. for the lecture |
| 13 | Bridge form analysis | Materials prov. for the lecture |
| 14 | Optional form analysis | Materials prov. for the lecture |
| 15 | Methods of form presentation | Chapters 3, 5 and 7 |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH372.1 | Course | Monday 15:00 - 16:50 | A F3.7 - Small Architecture Studio | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 13:00 - 16:00 | A F3.9 A | |
| Friday | 13:00 - 15:00 | A F3.9 A |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Midterm Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 4 5
Assignments
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 4 5
Homeworks
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 2 4 5
Attendance
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
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 4 ECTS credit course corresponds to 100 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lectures
14 hours ⏳ (14 week × 1 h)
Active tutorials
14 hours ⏳ (14 week × 1 h)
Homeworks
12 hours ⏳ (2 week × 6 h)
Mid term exam
25 hours ⏳ (1 week × 25 h)
Final exam
35 hours ⏳ (1 week × 35 h)
100 Total Workload Hours
4 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 [ARCH372] 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 | |||||||||
| ARCH372 | Compositions in Architecture | 1 | 1 | 4 | Monday 15:00-16:50 | |||||
| Prerequisite | Junior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Tomasz Eugeniusz Malec | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Thursday: 13:00-16:00 Friday: 13:00-15:00 |
|||||||
| tmalec@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | The course aims are to introduce students to advanced architectural composition. Students should possess the knowledge of all the principles of composition and complex relations between various forms and as well as their impact on surroundings. The second aim is to introduce them to critical thinking in design and decision making in the field of architectural form. |
|||||||||
| Textbook | Malec, T., A Simple Introduction to Architecture, IUS, 2019 | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Face-to-face lectures, tutorials, and project-based learning. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Syllabus overview; introduction to basis of architectural composition | Chapter 1 | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Urban landscape form analysis | Materials prov. for the lecture | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Rural landscape form analysis | Materials prov. for the lecture | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Single family house form analysis I | Chapter 2 | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Single family house form analysis II | Materials prov. for the lecture | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Multi-storey house form analysis I | Chapter 2 | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Multi-storey house form analysis II | Materials prov. for the lecture | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm exam | Materials prov. for the lecture | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Hotel form analysis I | Chapter 2 | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Hotel form analysis II | Materials prov. for the lecture | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Shopping mall form analysis I | Chapter 2 | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Shopping mall form analysis II | Materials prov. for the lecture | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Bridge form analysis | Materials prov. for the lecture | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Optional form analysis | Materials prov. for the lecture | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Methods of form presentation | Chapters 3, 5 and 7 | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 25 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm Exam | 1 | 25 | 1,2,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Assignments | 4 | 40 | 1,2,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Homeworks | 1 | 5 | 2,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Attendance | 1 | 5 | N/A | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lectures | 1 | 14 | 14 | Active tutorials | 1 | 14 | 14 | |||
| Homeworks | 6 | 2 | 12 | Mid term exam | 25 | 1 | 25 | |||
| Final exam | 35 | 1 | 35 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 100 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 4 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 23/10/2025 | |||||||||