COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: SOCIAL AND CULTURAL THEMES IN URBAN ARCHITECTURE
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
ARCH 511 A 100 3 0 0 3 6
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) NA
Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Odeta Manahasa
Second Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Compulsory
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Course Description: This course explores a variety of theories which explain and document the relationship between humans and the environment they build; outlines the research methods appropriate to each theory. Topics include the sociology of taste, personal and societal values in design, participatory design, semantic ethnography, environments for special populations such as the elderly, and building types such as housing, hospitals, schools, offices, and urban parks.
Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to examine socio-cultural issues and their significance to planning and architecture practice and education and to encourage students to actively engage and continuously reflect on the material in relation to their own experiences as students, professionals and citizens. T
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Introduction: Why Critical Theory and Urban Space?
2 Marxist Interpretations: Marxism and the City
3 Marxist Interpretations: Marxism and the City II
4 Reading and Understanding Capitalism: Marx’s Theory of History
5 Reading and Understanding Capitalism II
6 The Process of Capitalist Production
7 The Process of Capitalist Production II
8 Mid Term
9 The Production of Space
10 The Condition of Post modernity
11 The Condition of Post modernity II
12 Post Modern Geographies: The Reassertion of Space in Critical Social Theory
13 Post Modern Geographies: The Reassertion of Space in Critical Social Theory II
14 FINAL REVIEW
Prerequisite(s):
Textbook: Harvey, David. "On Planning the Ideology of Planning," in The Urbanization of Capital: Studies in the History and Theory of Capitalist Urbanization. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1985 Rapoport, Amos. “The Importance of Meaning” The Meaning of the Built Environment. Beverly Hills: Sage, 1982 Margaret Crawford. “Can Architects be Socially Responsible?” Out of Site: A Social Criticism of Architecture. Seattle: Bay Press, 1991
Other References: Selected articles
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 ). Students will gain an understanding of the historical role that social and cultural factors have played in shaping the current context within which planning and architecture work takes place.
2 Students will engage in critical examination of theories and practices that shape the fields of planning and architecture and their social implications
3 Students will reflect on the current roles carried out by planners and architects in deliberately or inadvertently affecting social conditions as compared to what our roles should be.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Master of Science in Architecture Program
1 Speaking and Writing Skills Ability to read, write, listen, and speak effectively 3
2 Critical Thinking Skills Ability to raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test them against relevant criteria and standards 4
3 Graphics Skills Ability to use appropriate representational media, including freehand drawing and computer technology, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process
4 Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work 2
5 Formal Ordering Systems Understanding of the fundamentals of visual perception and the principles and systems of order that inform two- and three-dimensional design, architectural composition, and urban design
6 Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites
7 Collaborative Skills Ability to recognize the varied talent found in interdisciplinary design project teams in professional practice and work in collaboration with other students as members of a design team 1
8 International Traditions Understanding of the International architectural canons and traditions in architecture, landscape and urban design, as well as the climatic, technological, culture-economic, and other cultural factors that have shaped and sustained them
9 National and Regional Traditions Understanding of national traditions and the local regional heritage in architecture, landscape design and urban design, including the vernacular tradition
10 Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects
11 Conservation and Restoration of Historical Districts Knowledge on historical districts and the gain of conservation consciousness documentation of historical buildings and the understanding the techniques which are needed to prepare restoration projects.
12 Human Behavior Understanding of the theories and methods of inquiry that seek to clarify the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment 5
13 Human Diversity Understanding of the diverse needs, values, behavioral norms, physical ability, and social and spatial patterns that characterize different cultures and individuals and the implication of this diversity for the societal roles and responsibilities of architects
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Homework
4
5
Midterm Exam(s)
1
20
Presentation
1
20
Term Paper
1
40
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 4 64
Mid-terms 1 2 2
Assignments 4 2 8
Final examination 1 20 20
Other 1 8 8
Total Work Load:
150
Total Work Load/25(h):
6
ECTS Credit of the Course:
6