Multicultural/Postcolonial Cities(Mast)

Subject 702-637 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2009.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A two-hour lecture and discussion session followed by one hour of seminar/presentations by students. A total of 36 contact hours per semester.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: 702-437 (ABPL40037) - Multicultural/Postcolonial Cities
Core Participation Requirements:

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
Subject Overview: This subject studies multiculturalism in the built environments of Australia and of South and Southeast Asia focusing on colonial encounters and postcolonial aspirations. Using race, class, gender and migration as theoretical starting points, it explores the geographical and spatial imperatives of colonial and national projects in domestic, institutional, and urban architectures. Ideas of orientalism, nationalism, modernity, and globalization will be examined in order to raise questions regarding the nature of postcolonial space, its historic tensions and its social transformations into new landscapes for pluralism and multiculturalism. Writings of Foucault, Bhaba, Said, Spivak, Hage, Lefebvre and the subaltern studies group will be read in conjunction with literature that applies these theories to specific architectural examples. Topics include explorations of modern subjectivities and urban communities that are shaped by ethnic diversity, aboriginality, feminist geography, myth, memory and the media.

On completion of the subject students should be able to:

  • Gain exposure to issues that can inform both the design and research orientations of students
  • Formulate, select or consolidate their design/research topics and projects for later years
Assessment: Selected readings, a 15 minute presentation and a 5000 word paper on a selected topic that applies theoretical ideas to a spatial or architectural exploration.
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

  • Research through the selection of architectural case studies and regular use of the library
  • Critical thinking and analysis through required reading, discussion, essay writing and presentations and assessment of arguments
  • Understanding social, political, historical and cultural contexts through contextualisation of knowledge, developing critical self awareness and being open to
    aspects of Asian and Australian culture (including aboriginal and multi-cultural issues)
  • Communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically, in written and oral form through essays, discussion and class presentations
  • Design analysis through selection and critique of architectural case studies
Links to further information: http://www.abp.unimelb.edu.au/environments-and-design-students/melbourne-school-of-design-students.html
Notes: An enrolment quota applies to this subject, with selection based on academic merit and priority.
Related Course(s): Master of Architecture
Master of Planning and Design (Architectural History & Conservation)CW
Master of Urban Planning

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