Undergraduate Course: Architectural Theory (ARCH10002)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course explores the relationship between theory and architecture. We will use a range of case studies to look at how theory can challenge assumptions and offer new ways of thinking about key problems. This will involve close readings of:
1. Philosophical texts
2. Architectural Theory texts
3. Exemplary Architectural projects
The course will enable you to explore the relationship between architecture and other areas of culture. It will also provide you with an expanded interpretive framework for understanding architectural production.
The lectures involve thematic explorations of architecture and includes architectural origins, the everyday nature of technology, as well as architecture's role in supporting and/or challenging social boundaries around gender, nature and power. We will engage with a wide range of theory including deconstruction, phenomenology, feminist theory, environmental philosophy, continental philosophy and more.
You will develop skills in reading complex texts and writing responses to them. You will also develop critical perspectives on how architecture might respond to a range of contemporary social issues.
This is an exciting course taught by a group of lecturers who have each published and contributed to the development of theory and/or architectural theory. They will be assisted by six experienced tutors with backgrounds in architecture and design who are active in research via their current PhD research projects.
|
| Course description |
The course will consist of eleven lectures of approximately one hour and ten weekly tutorials also of approximately one hour. The theme of each tutorial will be the content of the previous week's lecture. In Week 1 there will be a general course introduction, in addition to a thematic lecture. In week 11 the course will conclude with an online lecture that reviews writing strategies and gives tips for the final assignments. In week 13 an essay writing clinic will be offered on a drop in basis. The slides for each lecture will be available on LEARN. Audio recordings will also usually be available.
There will be three items of essential reading each week. These should be reviewed before the lecture, and read closely before the tutorial. Copies must be brought to the relevant tutorials. The tutorials will help you to develop critical reflections for your journal, which in turn will be beneficial for developing essay themes.
Readings are all available via the library through the Talis Aspire Resource List. A link is available on LEARN.
|
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2016/17, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 150 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 11,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Learning outcomes are assessed by a critical reflections journal (2400) and an essay (2000 words).
Note that students on the BA Architecture Programme are permitted a maximum of two assessment attempts to pass this course. For those on the MA Hons programme there are no resits, as this is an honours level course. |
| Feedback |
Assignments will be assessed and grades or marks given against each learning outcome along with feedback.
There will be an opportunity for formative feedback throughout the semester. One journal entry should be submitted via LEARN in Week 3, and feedback will be provided within a maximum of 15 working days.
The tutorial sessions are also designed to provide formative feedback throughout the semester on specific topics. Please use these sessions to progress your diary and essay.
Further feedback will be provided on the critical reflections journal submissions. This feedback will be helpful for the final preparation of the essay. Feedback will be returned within 15 working days (maximum).
|
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary design theories and the ways in which they can inform specific approaches to, and practices of, architectural design.
- Demonstrate and analyse through careful argument how architectural production fits within wider philosophical, historical, social, political and economic discourses.
- Demonstrate ability to research issues in architectural theory, to critically reflect upon them, and to organise and present those reflections in the format of scholarly writing.
|
Reading List
| The course reading list is available through Resource Lists @ Edinburgh. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Design theory,culture,place |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Michelle Bastian
Tel: (0131 6)51 5779
Email: Michelle.Bastian@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Rosie Hall
Tel: 0131 651 5802
Email: r.hall@ed.ac.uk |
|
© Copyright 2016 The University of Edinburgh - 3 February 2017 3:18 am
|
University Homepage