Tokyo Field Trip

Subject ABPL90262 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points:	12.50
Level:	9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:	This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment:	Contact Hours: 9 day intensive Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:	None
Corequisites:	None
Recommended Background Knowledge:	Ideally, students enrolling in this subject will have completed 705-664 Sustainable Environnents Studio.
Non Allowed Subjects:	None
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/

Contact

Environments and Design Student Centre
Ground Floor, Baldwin Spencer (building 113)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Website: http://www.msd.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	This subject aims to train students in areas chosen to give them experience in different approaches and investigation tools. In this instance, it will involve cross-cultural and environmental comparisons relating to application of experience and concepts from one environment to another (Melbourne to Tokyo). Students are expected to report, analyse and interpret data gathered reliably and imaginatively, and to present it coherently. This research-led subject focuses on cultural difference, as expressed through urban environment. The emphasis is on urban design analysis and design-research explorations of an urbanity which is significantly different from the one familiar to the majority of our students. The key topics of the subject are urban sustainability (eco-urbanity), and the need for cultural and environmental contextualisation of design. During the fieldwork, students are expected to record data and analyse data by applying relevant urban design theory and to provide critical speculative responses to the identified urban design issues. The emphasis is on group work, and the aim is to develop the skills for effective group, interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration. After the fieldwork, students are expected to summarise and present the fieldwork material and critically reflect on their own experiences during the fieldwork, in terms of both process and design-research products.
Objectives:	Develop skills and confidence in understanding other cultures Develop awareness of the value of "culture shock" in stimulating creative thinking Develop awareness of the ways in which other cultures and their disciplines within those cultures address environmental and social issues Establish personal and professional networks
Assessment:	Fieldwork: Group fieldwork in Tokyo – urban analysis and urban design-research explorations – equivalent of 2500 words (40%) Individual fieldwork diary, including proposal for individual design-research focus – equivalent of 1000 words (20%) Contribution to the group in Tokyo (10%). Post-fieldwork: Reflective diary and report (which may take form of an exhibition 2 x A1 panel) – equivalent of 1500 words (30%)
Prescribed Texts:	None
Recommended Texts:	Radovic, Darko (2008), "Another Tokyo", The University of Tokyo and Ichii Shobou.
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	Critical thinking and urban design analysis The ability to seek, analyse and evaluate information from multiple sources Comprehension of, and lucid expression of, complex concepts Time management skills Appreciation and implementation of ethics (cross-cultural practice)

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