Topic outline

  • Class Rules & Instructions

    General guidelines for the course

    • The required course attendance rate is 100 %.
    • If you miss a class for some reason, please contact Anni to discuss your compensating homework:
        • Usually, an extra essay or a literature review about something that currently interests you and falls outside the scope of course literature; an oral presentation at one of the classes is also negotiable.
        • The recommended length of compensating work is circa 600 words / 15-minute presentation per one missed class
        • It is strongly recommended that you choose your compensation work (a book, a set of articles etc) on a topic that a) interests you; and b) somehow relates to and can be applied in your current project (such as your Master's thesis).

     

    Reading & Writing Instructions

    • Read with thought but take it easy. Don’t get stuck: if the text doesn’t flow or you just can't plough it through, then move on. Pay attention to any concepts or parts of the text which you do not understand, and equally, pay attention to the parts which you find important and inspirational. 
    • I strongly suggest taking notes while reading. 
    • Remember that you are reading for yourself, not for the teacher (please nevertheless check the Evaluation Criteria).
    • Write a short summary of each text set (not a commentary of every single text, but a conclusive analysis of the whole set). There's no need to comment on everything in every single text. What do the texts tell you? The point should be to reflect your understanding of the texts and their relevance to you as a reader and to architecture as you perceive it. 
    • The suggested length of your writing is c. 600-700 words / 5000 characters / 2 pages. Please feel free to use illustrations if you like.

     

    Discussion Points

    A Discussion Point is an argument that stems from the course literature and that you want to discuss with your fellow students at class. Is there anything that you would like to argue against the texts? Do the texts indicate something problematic in contemporary architectural discourse? Is there anything that you find super relevant as regards architecture of today? Do some seriously critical thinking and prepare yourself to debate your Discussion Point with your peers.


    Architectural Analyses

    The idea of the architectural analyses is to practise the art of reflective writing and examine real architectural works from a novel, contextualised, and personal viewpoint. Please feel free to consider, for instance, their representational character as regards the architectural and cultural values they convey, their contribution to societal issues, their outdatedness or topicality, or any achievements or shortcomings that you find relevant in their architecture. Regarding contextualisation, please feel free to apply any theoretical framework or topical question or issue that you find interesting.

    Most importantly, analyse architectural relevance from your personal viewpoint: there are no rights or wrongs, but this course aims to develop your own architectural values and your own understanding of today’s perspectives towards architecture. Make it simple: visit the building, make notes, draw sketches, take photos, record soundscapes, read any articles that you find relevant, or do whatever is included in your working method, and prepare one (1) slide that summarises your main ideas. We'll go through and discuss these at class.

    Seminar Feedback Instructions

    For feedback, please give some appraisal and constructive criticism about your peer's project. Please pay attention to:

    • comprehensibility, persuasiveness
    • application of theories, theoretical ideas, concepts (accuracy, depth, level of detail, genuiine intellectual contribution versus superficial name dropping and theory shopping)
    • use of examples etc.
    • originality, innovativeness and creativity: What new does the project bring to your understanding of architecture?
    • Mid-Term phase also:
      • major risks: e.g. is something essential missing; should something be left out in the finalisation?
      • tips for improvement: what would make the project really shine?


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Self-Evaluation & Assessment Criteria