Undergraduate Course: Architectural Theory (ARCH10002)

Course Outline
School	Edinburgh College of Art	College	College of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate)	Availability	Not available to visiting students
SCQF Credits	20	ECTS Credits	10
Summary	This course explores the relationship between theory and architecture. We will use a range of case studies to look at how theory can challenge assumptions and offer new ways of thinking about key problems. This will involve close readings of: 1. philosophical texts 2. architectural theory texts 3. exemplary architectural projects By doing so the course will support students in exploring the relationship of architecture to other areas of culture. It will also provide you with an expanded interpretive framework through which to understand architectural production. The sequence of lectures is thematically organised and explores the timings and spacings of architecture, including architectural origins, the everyday nature of technology, as well as architectureżs role in supporting and/or challenging social boundaries around gender, nature and power. By doing so we will engage with a wide range of theory including deconstruction, phenomenology, feminist theory, environmental philosophy, continental philosophy and more. Students will develop skills in reading and writing about complex texts, as well as developing critical perspectives on how architecture might respond to a range of contemporary social issues.
Course description	Not entered

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites	Students MUST have passed: Architectural Design: In Place (ARCH08007) AND Architectural Design: Any Place (ARCH08006) AND Technology and Environment 2A: Building Environment (ARCH08028) AND Technology and Environment 2B: Building Fabric (ARCH08027)	Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	None

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)		Quota: 150
Course Start	Semester 1
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 10, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1, Other Study Hours 1, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 174 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	Learning outcomes are assessed by a course diary (2000-2500) and an essay (2000 words). Students will also be expected to bring a set of questions about the readings to tutorials each week. Note that students on the BA Architecture Programme are permitted a maximum of two assessment attempts to pass this course. For those on the MA Hons programme there are no resits, as this is an honours level course.
Feedback	Mid-way through the course, students will submit sections of their course diary for formative assessment, with feedback given within 15 working days. Where serious issues are identified, students will be encouraged to arrange an appointment with the course organiser to develop a plan for improving their coursework.
No Exam Information

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to: Knowledge of contemporary design theories and the ways in which they can inform specific approaches to, and practices of, architectural design. Ability to demonstrate and analyse through careful argument how architectural production fits within wider philosophical, historical, social, political and economic discourses. Ability to research issues in architectural theory, to critically reflect upon them, and to organise and present those reflections in the format of scholarly writing.