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 The course will enable you to explore the relationship between architecture and other areas of culture. It will also provide you with an expanded interpretive framework for understanding architectural production. The lectures involve thematic explorations of architectural discourse and practice and include discussions on architectural origins, the everyday nature of technology, the relationship of architecture to the body and to its context, architectureżs contribution to social transformation, etc. We will engage with a wide range of theory including critical approaches to modernism, deconstruction, phenomenology, continental philosophy and more. You will develop skills in reading complex texts and writing responses to them. You will also develop critical perspectives on how architecture might respond to a range of contemporary social issues. This is an exciting course taught by a group of lecturers who have each published and contributed to the development of theory and/or architectural theory. They will be assisted by three experienced tutors with backgrounds in architecture and design who are active in research via their current PhD research projects.
Course description	The course will consist of eleven lectures of approximately one hour and ten weekly tutorials also of approximately one hour. The theme of each tutorial will be the content of the previous week's lecture. In Week 1 there will be a general course introduction, in addition to a thematic lecture. In week 11 the course will conclude with a lecture that reviews writing strategies and gives tips for the final assignments. The slides for each lecture will be available on LEARN. Audio recordings will also usually be available. There will be three items of essential reading each week. These should be reviewed before the lecture, and read closely before the tutorial. Copies must be brought to the relevant tutorials. The tutorials will help you to develop critical reflections for your journal, which in turn will be beneficial for developing essay themes.

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 2017/18, 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 11, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Feedback/Feedforward 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 critical reflections journal (2400) and an essay (2000 words). 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	Assignments will be assessed and grades or marks given against each learning outcome along with feedback. The tutorial sessions are designed to provide formative feedback throughout the semester on specific topics. Please use these sessions to progress your diary and essay. Further feedback will be provided on the critical reflections journal submissions. This feedback will be helpful for the final preparation of the essay. Feedback will be returned within 15 working days (maximum).
No Exam Information

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to: Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary design theories and the ways in which they can inform specific approaches to, and practices of, architectural design. Demonstrate and analyse through careful argument how architectural production fits within wider philosophical, historical, social, political and economic discourses. Demonstrate 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.