Undergraduate Course: City as a Work of Art: Western Urbanism 1960 to the Present Day (HIAR10087)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This is an urban theory course for art historians. It surveys key ideas in urban theory from the past 30 years, focused on two related concepts: the aestheticisation of the city through the rhetoric of 'creativity', and the politicisation of the city through urban citizenship and activism. Both trends have been accompanied by a striking trend towards (re) urbanization, and some spectacular architecture that puts culture at its heart. These attempts are usually followed by social and political controversies and could stir public uproar and resistance. The course provides a critical examination of these trends, focused on the experiences of Europe, Latin America and the United States. It explains how we got to this point, where we are now, and likely developments. No previous knowledge of urban theory is required. The main requisites are an open mind, and the willingness to read widely and eclectically. A key question throughout is: how do contemporary ideas about urban life make themselves visible? We will ask this repeatedly, and in different ways. |
| Course description |
Not entered
|
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have completed at least 3 History of Art courses at grade B or above, and we will only consider University/College level courses. **Please note that 3rd year History of Art courses are high-demand, meaning that they have a very high number of students wishing to enrol in a very limited number of spaces. These enrolments are managed strictly by the Visiting Student Office, in line with the quotas allocated by the department, and all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Have a good general understanding of key urban theories in the United States and Europe from 1960 to the present, and how they interrelate.
- Do close visual analysis of cityscapes covered by the course.
- Do close visual analysis of individual buildings covered by the course.
- Analyse representations of cities in the visual arts (film, photography, occasionally painting).
- Understand the key terms used in the course, including the following: Modernism, Postmodernism, Regeneneration, Gentrification, Creative industries, the Culture industry, Postindustrial.
|
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Richard Williams
Tel: (0131 6)51 6792
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Nathan Ross-Hammond
Tel: (0131 6)51 5880
Email: |
|
|
University Homepage