University of Technology Sydney

11222 Architectural History and Theory: Critique

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a 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 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Architecture
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(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 after WWII 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 after WWII.
2. Understand relationships between architecture and broader social and cultural phenomena, and how they have developed since WWII.
3. Develop critical positions in relation to chosen topics, themes or questions.
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 put together a portfolio of historically important architectural examples and situate them relative to one of the subject's themes. The assessment involves a group presentation and an individual submission. It relates to the first half of the lecture series which is structured as a series of thematic investigations.

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:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Undertake research and select relevant sources and examples in relation to a selected theme in the history and theory of architecture. 30 4 P.3
Present a coherent and clearly organised portfolio of research material that demonstrates an informed understanding of the selected theme. 50 2 R.1
Demonstrate proper use of academic conventions including clarity of expression and organisation, and referencing of sources. 10 5 C.2
Prepare and present work in progress as part of a group. 10 1 C.1
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 examples in relation to a theme of the subject. The assignment is in the form of an individual essay. It relates to the second half of the lecture series which is structured as a series of close readings of key architectural examples.

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:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Undertake independent research and select relevant academic sources to relate architectural examples to a selected theme in the history and theory of architecture. 30 4 P.3
Demonstrate a critical understanding of architectural examples in relation to the selected theme. 50 3 R.3
Demonstrate proper use of academic conventions including proper referencing of sources. 10 5 C.2
Express ideas and positions clearly and coherently in written and visual form. 10 5 C.2
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.