Undergraduate Course: Architectural Theory (ARCH10002)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course explores the relationship between theory and architecture. Exploring various forms of architectural theory - such as essays, lectures, books, case studies, films and other media - you will develop skills to read, reflect upon, critique and discuss architectural theory, and means to apply theoretical knowledge to real world situations.
This will involve close reading of texts from within and outside of the discipline of architecture. We will also analyse a range of case studies to better understand how theory can challenge assumptions and offer new ways of thinking about key problems.
The course will enable you to explore the relationship between architecture and other cultural practices. It will also provide you with an expanded interpretive framework for understanding architectural production. |
| Course description |
Through reading, writing and group discussions, we will explore different ways of thinking about architecture in a range of geographic, social, political, historical and material contexts.
The 11 weekly modules involve thematic explorations of architectural discourse and practice, and sample different strands of architectural and critical theory, including theories of the environment, critical disability theory, modernism, postmodernism, new materialism, decoloniality, critical race theory, information theory and more. You will develop critical reading and writing skills that aid the comprehension of texts and theories.
Each module includes a 1 hour lecture and a 1 hour small-group tutorial. There will be two to three items of essential reading for each weekly module. These should be reviewed before the start of the module, and read closely before the small-group tutorials.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | This course is only open to students on an approved exchange with ESALA. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 104 |
| 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 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
This course has 2 assessment components.
1) Reflective Journal, 2,400 words, 50% of term grade, week 11, assessed against Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 4.
2) Essay, 2,000 words, 50% of term grade, December exam diet, assessed against Learning Outcomes 1, 3 and 4.
Journal:
For 6 of the 11 reading modules in the course you will respond to the weeks theme and assigned readings in a Journal. Each of the six 400-word entries should record your reflections and unique interpretations of key theories, arguments, evidence and methods. The completed Journal, including 6 written entries, totaling around 2,400 words, assessed against LO1 (33%), LO2 (33%) and LO3 (33%).
Essay:
The Essay builds on the skills developed in the creation of the Reflective Journal and provides an opportunity to explore a particular course-related issue in greater depth. The Essay includes both analytical and descriptive writing and presents a clear argument, engagement with the course materials and a questioning approach. The Essay is due during the December examination period (after the Journal), and is assessed against LO1, LO3 and LO4.
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 |
Formative Feedback
Written formative feedback on the draft Reflective Journal submission will be provided by the Course Organiser and Course Tutors via Learn during Week 6. The feedback is forward looking and provides advice for the completion of the final Reflective Journal.
The small-group tutorials during week 6 is dedicated to the Essay and is an opportunity for students to receive verbal formative feedback on their essay plan.
The weekly small-group tutorials throughout the course will provide additional opportunities to develop ideas and receive verbal formative feedback on both the Reflective Journal and Essay.
Summative Feedback
Written summative feedback will be offered against all Learning Outcomes and provided by the CO on Learn with the final course marks.
Summative feedback will be provided according to University regulations.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary architectural theories.
- Articulate a critical and reflective response on how architectural production, including architectural case studies, relate to wider theoretical, philosophical, cultural, historical, environmental, ethical, political and economic discourses.
- Present a careful argument which synthesises and applies understanding of particular architectural theories in context.
- Produce a coherent, well-written and illustrated piece of academic writing on a course-related theme, following appropriate referencing conventions.
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Reading List
Cheng, Irene. Structural Racialism in Modern Architectural Theory. In Race and Modern Architecture: A Critical History from the Enlightenment to the Present, edited by Irene Cheng, Charles L. Davis II and Mabel O. Wilson, 134-152. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2020.
Cocker, Emma. Tactics for Not Knowing: Preparing for the Unexpected. In On
Not Knowing: How Artists Think, edited by Rebecca Fortnum and Elizabeth Fisher, 126-135. London: Black Dog Publishing, 2013.
Hendren, Sara. What Can a Body Do? How We Meet the Built World. New York: Riverhead Books, 2020.
Lefebvre, Henri. Writings on Cities. Oxford: Blackwell, 1996.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Theory,philosophy,architecture,culture and society |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Miss Moa Carlsson
Tel:
Email: Moa.Carlsson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr John Ethcuit
Tel:
Email: jethcuit@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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