11222 Architectural History and Theory: Critique
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 11212 Architectural History and Theory: Orientations AND 11216 Architectural History and Theory: Modernity and Modernism
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
The subject investigates key themes in the history and theory of architecture since 1945 to consider how modernism has become the subject of critique. The lectures outline a thematic approach and provide critical analyses of specific examples and places, demonstrating how architecture’s disciplinary concerns have been shaped by an engagement with broad social, cultural and political events. Themes addressed may include: urbanism, culture, consumerism, technology, environment, practice, globalisation, pedagogy, race, gender, power, politics and ideology.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Understand the development of architectural history and theory since 1945. |
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| 2. | Understand relationships between architecture and broader social and cultural phenomena, and how they have developed since 1945. |
| 3. | Develop critical positions in relation to chosen topics, themes or ideas. |
| 4. | Undertake research and select material appropriate to formulating critical positions. |
| 5. | Express ideas clearly in visual and written formats using academic conventions. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Work cooperatively and professionally as part of a team (C.1)
- Communicate ideas professionally and effectively through a variety of mediums: oral, written, visual, physical and digital (C.2)
- Respond to a comprehensive brief within the disciplinary context (P.3)
- Position work within an extended and critically reasoned context through the identification, evaluation and application of relevant academic references and architectural case studies (R.1)
- Independently analyse, synthesise and formulate complex ideas, arguments and rationales and use initiative to explore alternatives (R.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is structured around two hours of lectures and one hour of tutorial per week. Lectures in the first half of the semester take a thematic approach to the subject material and relate directly to the content of the first assessment. Comprehension and elaboration of this material is enabled by student presentations in tutorials, and these lead towards the first assessment. Lectures in the second half of the subject connect themes to detailed analyses of specific examples and case studies and provide the context for the second assessment. Tutorials provide the context for further skills development and feedback.
Lectures model the ways in which students can develop their own understanding and critical analytical skills. Students are expected to attend lectures in person as they are structured as live events and are the main means of delivering the content of the subject. Tutorials allow student presentations of assignment work in progress and provide opportunities for feedback, skills development and peer engagement and learning.
COLLABORATIVE LEARNING
In addition to structured group work, students are encouraged to work in clusters throughout the semester.
ONLINE CONTENT
There are a range of of online resources used to support the learning objectives of this subject. Assignment briefs and related research material are available on the subject’s Canvas site and from the UTS Library.
FORMATIVE FEEDBACK
The subject structure provides several opportunities for feedback:
1. All assignments are graded in the subject's Canvas site where the tutors give formal feedback and indicative grades.
2. Verbal feedback is provided by tutors and peers in the tutorial sessions. This relies on students presenting work in progress in their groups and participating in discussions and tutorial exercises. These occasions should enable students to develop their understanding of the subject material and refine their assignment work.
Content (topics)
The subject investigates key themes in the history and theory of architecture after WWII to consider how modernism has become the subject of critique. Themes addressed may include: urbanism, culture, consumerism, technology, environment, practice, pedagogy, globalisation, race, gender, power, politics and ideology.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Research portfolio
| Intent: | The assessment asks students to research and assemble a portfolio of architectural projects relevant to themes identified in the set readings. The assessment involves a group presentation of work in progress, and an individual submission. It relates to the first half of the lecture series which is structured as a series of thematic investigations. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 4 and 5 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.1, C.2, P.3 and R.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Essay
| Intent: | Drawing on the material collected in the portfolio (assessment 1), the aim of this assessment is to critically discuss chosen architectural projects in relation to themes and ideas developed through academic research. The assessment is in the form of an individual essay. It relates to the second half of the subject which is structured as a series of close readings of key architectural case studies. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 3, 4 and 5 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.2, P.3 and R.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Essay | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.
Recommended texts
Recommended and set texts are provided via the reading list on the subject's Canvas site.
References
References are provided via the reading list on the subject's Canvas site.