Architecture and the City - Towards another future, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The task of the architect is to come up with concepts, proposals and s, projects and plans. These decisions can  that enable or hinder a society to make choicesgrow and evolve, giving its people a concrete indication of what really can be done in the face of the many mutations within a contemporary and future society. In this beginner's course we will take you on a historical and contemporary journey to explore how through historical and contemporary architecture, exploring the design of some of our most significant man-made environments can play a role in the creation of alternative worlds. We will travel through an The course will provide an exemplary history of modern and contemporary worldmakingarchitecture and cities: how architecture through its devices, buildings, cities and landscapes, creates a specific s opportunities for society to engage in the ense of the commons, the private and the public, contributing to different grounds of civil imagination. We will The course will show you how your draw on students own understandings from experiencing the human environment which reveals the intentions and aspirations of those who design buildings and cities, and how we all have an active role in the creation of the world in which we live.
In this course, exemplary buildings, environments and ideas will be critically examined. The course aims to inspire you to understand the relationship between the form of the built environment and the social relations that activate it. The concepts and materiality of architecture will be examined as fundamental components of society.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course, students should be able to:
 
Knowledge and understanding
 

• recognize the significance of key movements in architecture and urban design;
• describe key theories of architectural and urban design;
• apply theories of architectural and urban design to critically discuss examples the built environment; 

Skills and ability
 

• conduct independent research to identify and use relevant literature and data;
• analyse appropriate examples of historically important buildings and cities, and their role in the wider development of society; 

Evaluation ability and approach

• compare and evaluate the qualities of competing theories of architectural and urban design;
• research and compose an illustrated report that synthesizes their understanding of the relationship between society and the built environment, citing appropriate literature and research.

Required Knowledge

Form of instruction

The course is delivered online using both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (not live) content, including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials by teachers representing the diversity of academic expertise at Umeå School of Architecture.
The right to receive teaching and supervision applies only during the time the course, for which the student is registered to, is ongoing. A student who has not finished the course when the course is first given can apply for reregistration at the department for the next occasion the course is given. The course is given in English.

Examination modes

The course is examined with an individually completed written report submitted online.
Supplementary re-examination is individually adjusted based on the goal or goals that the student has not reached and takes place at the earliest two weeks after the students have received their results and at the latest two months after the regular examination. Only students who have not received a passing grade are eligible to make revisions in order to pass the exam. Revisions are not allowed for those who have already received a passing grade.

Grade for the course / each module of the course will be assigned when the written test / tests and all mandatory elements are approved. The possible grades are 'Fail', 'Pass' or 'Pass with distinction'. For the grades 'Pass' and 'Pass with distinction' the quality of the written report needs to be high and very high respectively. Students are entitled to rewrite the same examination five times. Students who do not pass the regular examination should be provided an opportunity for further examination according to the University's "Regulations for tests and examinations at the undergraduate and graduate levels." A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a course, is entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are specific reasons against it (HF 6 Chap. 22 §). Requests for new examiners are made to the head of the department. Students have the right to be tested on the same curriculum as the regular examination at least two occasions up to two years after the first registration.

Deviations from the form of examination in the syllabus can be made for a student who has pedagogical support due to disabilities. Individual adjustments of the examination form are determined based on the student's needs. The examination form is adjusted within the framework of the expected learning outcomes of the syllabus. Decision about adjustments of the form of examination is made by the director of studies. After a request from the student the course leader shall contact the director of studies, who promptly decides on the adjusted form of examination. The decision is then to be reported to the student.