How does one write a scholarly text correctly and intelligibly? What are the formal requirements? How are sources identified and cited? How does one formulate a research question and how does one go about answering it? What is research in the first place and what are the different research areas within the overall field of architecture? What methods does one use to collect one's own information? And how does one present one's research plans to other researchers in advance?

The module "Academic Practice", jointly organized by the Chairs of Architectural History, Theory of Architecture, Construction Planning, Planning Theory, Conservation of Cultural Heritage, and Structural Design, not only provides a first set of answers to all these questions but also offers you a chance to experiment with what you have learnt. To this end, the course begins with a sequence of lectures in which – regardless of which department you are assigned to – you will all get to know the basic terms and concepts of research, the range of research activities at our faculty, and the specific structure of scientific texts. At your respective Chair you will then write a mini-proposal for a fictional article or research project, in which you will outline a research problem, formulate more specific questions to guide your research, suggest an appropriate methodological approach, and practice the proper citation of the sources you have used. During the last session of the course, the results from the individual groups will once again be brought together across the departments in a Science Slam.