ARC5401 Ethics in practice
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
ARC5401 Ethics in practice is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- No exam
- 1 task
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ARC5401
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After ARC5401
No unit lists ARC5401 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must be enrolled in the the Bachelor of Architectural Design / Master of Architecture (F6003), or the Master of Architecture (F6001), or the Master of Urban Planning and Design (F6004).
Overview
This unit explores individual and systemic theories, principles and practices that influence the way we engage with clients, stakeholders, communities and living environments through the professional practice of architecture. The unit will focus on three key question areas.
- Who are you and what do you care about?
- Who are you designing for and with?
- How does this influence the way you will practice architecture?
The unit will explore relational and participatory forms of engagement, co-creation, design and communication for architectural projects undertaken across diverse social and cultural settings, and in local and international contexts. This will importantly include approaches, protocols and practices for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on Countries.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Caulfield | Flexible |
Assessment
- Portfolio100%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Understand the principles and paradigms of stakeholder and community engagement appropriate to the project planning, design and communication of architecture, and the evolving ethical responsibilities of architects to all living things;
- 2
Investigate and apply intercultural knowledge with respect to the values, aspirations and cultural representations of who you are designing with and for, using culturally responsive and appropriate methods;
- 3
Synthesise and relate complex and often competing aspirations in order to create a holistic project purpose, process and design outcomes;
- 4
Determine one's positionality and inherent biases and understand how they influence and are impacted by power dynamics within the ethical and relational choices made in architectural project planning, design and communication;
- 5
Advocate for the needs of all living things by contextually adapting your role as an architect in a culturally responsive manner;
- 6
Critically analyse your positionality, how it changes over time, and how this impacts your view on the role of the architect.
Workload and teaching
- Studio activities36 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachIndustry-based learning
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
12 hours per week including 3 contact hours plus 9 hours of independent study.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Kathy Waghorn
- Unit Coordinators
- Miss Daniela Tinios
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ARC5401?
None, but you must take OHS1000 before or alongside it.
When is ARC5401 offered?
In 2026, ARC5401 runs in Semester 1 at Caulfield.
Does ARC5401 have an exam?
No. ARC5401 has 1 assessment task and no exam.