Architectural Humanities II
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ABEE2021 | Department of Architecture and Built Environment | 2 | 10 | Spring China |
- Code
- ABEE2021
- School
- Department of Architecture and Built Environment
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring China
Summary
This module offers an introduction to contemporary approaches to the theory, criticism, and interpretation of architecture. This module provides a historical, cultural, and philosophical context to the major contemporary debates in architecture today, in order to develop an understanding of architecture's potential as both a useful and meaningful cultural activity.
Key issues from the history of philosophy are examined, alongside a range of building case-studies in order to develop a series of alternative interpretive frameworks through which buildings may be analysed, criticised, debated and understood. This process also engages with interdisciplinary debates in fields such as art, technology, social and cultural studies, politics and ecology, as well as the major schools of twentieth century philosophy, such as Phenomenology, Deconstruction, Structuralism, and Critical Theory.
Target Students
Architecture
Classes
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework 1: 2500 word illustrated essay
Educational Aims
This module fosters understanding of the inter-relationship between architectural design, theoretical discourse and cultural developments in the areas of space, tectonics and materiality, environmentalism and urbanism.Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will have the ability to critically review built examples of modern and contemporary architecture from a number of philosophical perspectives, as well as a developing understanding of how to select and assess precedents relevant to the function, organisation and technological strategies of studio design projects (GC2.1, GC2.2, GC7.1).
2. The student will have knowledge of the cultural, social and intellectual histories, theories and technologies that influence the design of buildings, as well as an understanding of the influence of history and theory on the spatial, social, and technological aspects of architecture (GC2.1, GC2.2).
3. The student will develop an understanding of how the theories, practices and technologies of the arts (including philosophy and the history of ideas) might be creatively applied in architectural design, in terms of their conceptualisation and representation, demonstrating a reflective and critical approach to the consideration of aesthetic, technical and user requirements (GC1.3; GC2.3; GC3.1; GC3.2; GC3.3).
4. The student will be introduced to the potential impact of building projects on existing and proposed communities, as well as the needs and aspirations of building users (GC5.1; GC6.3).
5. On completion of the module students will have the ability to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions in order to make sound judgments within a structured discourse relating to architectural culture, theory and design, and to present a piece of written work according to established academic conventions (GA1.4).
Conveners
- Dr Jing Xie