Theorising the Asian Metropolis

Subject ABPL90150 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 3 hours per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Entry into the Melbourne School of Design or approval of the subject coordinator.
Corequisites: None specified
Recommended Background Knowledge: None specified
Non Allowed Subjects: None specified
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Jianfei Zhu

Contact

Environments and Design Student Centre
T: +61 3 8344 6417/9862
F: +61 3 8344 5532
Email: msd-courseadvice@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: The modern 'metropolis', which emerged in the West in the nineteenth century, has expanded worldwide and has assumed maximum intensities in regions across Asia. This subject explores micro, spatial, humanistic and critical perspectives on the metropolis in Asia. It explores terms and concepts that may frame a critical debate on the new urban conditions. It examines the validity of Western theories of the metropolis in contemporary Asia, and the assertion of local traditions in modern and contemporary Asia.

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

  • Understand the possibilities, problems and potentials of thinking between Asian cases and Western theories concerning modernity and the metropolis
  • Comprehend specific qualities that characterise contemporary Asian cities
  • Be aware of intellectual and socioeconomic relations of these cities with Western cases/theories on the one hand and Asian traditions on the other
  • Explore students' own focus of inquiry with or beyond the framework setup in the subject
Objectives: On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  • understand the possibilities, problems and potentials of thinking between Asian cases and Western theories concerning modernity and the metropolis;
  • comprehend specific qualities that characterise contemporary Asian cities;
  • be aware of intellectual and socioeconomic relations of these cities with Western cases/theories on the one hand and Asian traditions on the other;
  • explore students’ own focus of inquiry with or beyond the framework setup in the subject.
Assessment: Project Proposal of up to 1000 words due in week 4 (20%) and written and/or graphic project of at least 4000 words due at the end of semester (80%).
Prescribed Texts: none specified
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • Ability to explore ideas between traditions and cultures.
  • Ability to engage ideas between disciplines.
  • Ability to make written, verbal and visual presentation of ideas.
  • Ability to analyse patterns in social, cultural, historical and theoretical context.
  • Ability to question and test theories against empirical cases.
Related Course(s): Master of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master of Urban Design

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