LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will have comprehensive knowledge of the most central phenomena and concepts of postmodern architectural theory and an ability to approach contemporary architecture in an analytical and critical manner. The student will be able to follow contemporary architectural discourse, recognise and analyse various schools-of-thought in architecture and to develop further their own values, architectural ideology and professional identity.
Credits: 5
Schedule: 09.03.2022 - 01.06.2022
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Anni Vartola
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
Contact via email: anni.vartola@aalto.fi. I'm happy to help you with all kinds of issues concerning this course.
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
Architecture Theory 2 is an advanced course that focuses on the phenomena and theoretical schools-of-thought of contemporary architecture (post-1960s). The course has an applied theoretical approach and includes exercises of criticism and analysis on Finnish architecture. The coursework entails reading theoretical texts, discussions, theoretical analyses, short written reviews, oral presentations and panel discussions.
applies in this implementation
In spring 2022, Theory of Architecture 2 explores the 1990s return to the Modernist dogma in Finnish architecture. We study this theme through a selection of theoretical literature and analyses of buildings in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The course encourages to look beyond the material and aesthetic reality of architecture and attempt for a critical reading of the underlying design decisions, hierarchies, and ideological positions that we experience buildings to communicate.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Architecture Theory 2 consists of seminar-like series of classes that convenes every other week: altogether 7 times à 2,5 hrs. Each class will have its own readings and exercises. Acceptable coursework entails the student's presence at all classes and completing all the exercises. Any absences must be compensated with individually negotiated extra coursework.
applies in this implementation
The course uses pass/fail evaluation criteria.
The completion of the course entails 100 % presence at all the classes and completing all the coursework. Absences can be compensated with independent extra work that must be pre-negotiated with the teacher. The compensation task is usually a smallish writing assignment such as a literature or exhibition review.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
The course workload entails an estimated amount of 133 hours of work: 18 contact hours and 115 hrs of independent work (reading course literature 43 hrs + independent information gathering 44 hrs + preparing discussion arguments and presentations alone and in a group 28 hrs).
In order to have enough time to read and reflect on the course material, the classes are every 2nd week.
applies in this implementation
The course yields 5 ECTS (133 hrs) which, at a rough estimate, entails 9.5 hrs of work per calendar week. The workload covers following types of activities:
- 18 hours in the 7 classes
- 10 hours of site visits and architectural analyses
- 80 hours of reading the course literature and preparing the text summaries
- 25 hrs of homework (individual and group work) for example for information retreaval or presentations for the classes
As the course language is English and the course texts are in English, the workload depends greatly on the individual student’s language skills and experience in reading and writing theoretical texts in academic English.
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
All the course readings will be available in pdf format or as online links on the MyCourses platform at the start of the course.
applies in this implementation
All reading material will be listed on the course's MyCourses pages and available as pdfs or weblinks.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
5 Gender Equality
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Period:
2020-2021
(2021, 2022) - No teaching
Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=ARK-E151101
Registration for Courses: Sisu replaces Oodi on 9 August, 2021. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-in-aalto-arts
The order of priority for admitting students to courses at Aalto ARTS 1.1.2018 onwards (approved by The Committee of Arts, Design and Architecture on 10.10.2017)
The order of priority is as follows:
1. students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have scheduled it for the current academic year in their personal study plan (HOPS);
2. exchange students for whom the course is a part of his/her officially approved learning agreement and scheduled to be taken during the current semester;
3. students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have not completed it yet;
4. students, for whom the course is part of his/her major s or programme s alternative studies and has been scheduled in the student's PSP (HOPS) for the current academic year
5. students, for whom the course is part of his/her major s or programme s alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;
6. students for whom the course is compulsory for their minor;
7. students, for whom the course is part of his/her minor subject s alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;
8. students who have applied for the course through a student mobility scheme (internal mobility within Aalto University, flexible study right (JOO) studies etc.);
9. other students.
Courses that are intended to be multidisciplinary (e.g. UWAS courses) may apply an order of priority based on the learning outcomes of the course, while bearing in mind the university obligation of enabling students to complete their degrees within the normative duration of study set for the degree. The order of priority does not apply to courses organised by the Centre for General Studies or doctoral courses.
This decision on the order of priority does not influence the right of the teacher to define prerequisites for the course.
applies in this implementation
In spring 2022, we will work fully online in Zoom.
Details on the schedule
applies in this implementation
The classes are held every 2nd week.
- Teacher: Vartola Anni