Twenty-first Century Architecture

This subject is not offered in 2008.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject offers a broad introduction to contemporary theories and methods used in the production and critique of architecture in the context of current philosophy and social theory. Theories of space, place, representation and technology will be explored along with the relations of architecture to identity, power, gender, culture, ethnicity and social class. The subject provides a perspective within which contemporary architectural polemics and strategies can be understood.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Understand and articulate a broad range of contemporary architectural theories
• Identify the major architectural thinkers, their philosophical positions and the debates between them.
• Investigate a particular architectural theory for critical debate and to develop it for their own design practice and criticism.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Use and citation of sources
• Written and verbal presentation of ideas
• Essay and report writing
• Ability to analyze social and cultural contexts
• Application of generic theories to specific examples