Florida International University
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Design Theories 2009: The City
ARC 5205
Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:30-10:45
Professor Gray Read, PC
438
Website: http://www.fiu.edu/~readg (Course material is on website)
Email: readg@fiu.edu (Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays (2-5)
Turnitin Course Number for ARC
5205: 2790080 Password: theory
Purpose: Course explores intellectual traditions in architecture that concern urbanism in Western and non-Western cities, specifically how the design of individual buildings relate to urban structure. Invited lecturers will present research on specific cities and students will discuss the role of architecture in defining urban qualities.
Course Objectives: To develop critical thinking in both written and graphic format, to foster discussion of architecture as an intellectual pursuit, and to develop reading and writing skills.
Learning Outcomes: Students should develop skill in research and urban analysis as well as independent, critical thinking and writing.
Structure of Course: Lecture and discussion. The course will define specific issues in contemporary architectural thought on cities and frame questions that can be asked of any city. Invited speakers will present research on a specific city or urban idea, then engage in a discussion with students. Required readings must be completed for each class, the quality of discussion depends on participation.
Text: Reader of selected articles. All readings are available on the course website, linked to on-line syllabus.
Quizzes: We will have a quiz about once a week. In classes without an invited speaker, generally Tuesdays, the quiz will be in the first 10 minutes of class-time. In classes with an invited speaker, generally Thursdays, you must answer one of the general questions of the course as it applies to the specific material presented, to be handed in by the end of the day. Quizzes require a well-articulated, written answer that demonstrates a cumulative understanding of topics. Quizzes are graded on a scale of 0-4.
Essays: Two research essays 6 pages in length are required. Written work will be submitted electronically to www.turnitin.com. Writing counts. Plagiarism is not tolerated, please read explanation on my website.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism
is not tolerated, please read explanation on my website.
Absences: University policy states if you have three absences, you fail the course. You may be excused for religious holidays if you let me know ahead of time.
Computers: Please take notes in class by hand, not on your computer.
Tips:
Keep up. Do the reading, Do the reading, Do the reading
Take notes. Keep a dedicated notebook for this course. Take notes on both the reading and discussion. Sketches help.
Come to lectures;
You are required to attend all school lectures.
Grading Scheme: Quizzes 40
Essay #1 30
Essay #2 30
Total 100 points
Policy on Academic Integrity
Florida International University is a community
dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and
research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service.
All students should
respect the right of others to have an
equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their
learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of
academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow
students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are
deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for
academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures
and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Policies on academic misconduct, sexual harassment, and
religious holidays, and information on services for students with disabilities
Please refer to University
policies in the FIU Student Handbook.
Schedule
Please note that reading is due on the day under which it appears. Quizzes are based on reading, lectures and discussion.
Week
Reading:
Peter Eisenman, "The End of the Classical; the end of the beginning, the End of the End" in Kate Nesbitt ed. Theorizing a New Agenda for Architecture.
Reading: Colin Rowe & Fred Koetter, "Crisis of the Object: Predicament of Texture" in Collage City (MIT Press, 1978) Introduction, Part 1, Part 2
Assignment: Essay 1 Due September 29
Reading: Italo Calvino, Continuous Cities 1
Wm McDonnough, Introduction, Cradle to Cradle
Reading: Calvino, Cities and the Sky 4
Joseph Rykwert, "City and Site" from The Idea of a Town
Reading: Michel Foucault, "Of Other Spaces: Utopias and Heterotopias" in Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory." Editor, Neil Leach (Routledge, 1997) p. 350-5.
Gregotti, "On Modification"
Reading: Aldo Rossi, "The Structure of Urban Artifacts" In Architecture and the City (Oppositions Books MIT Press, 1984) p. 29-62
Reading: Calvino, Continuous Cities 1
Reading: Mike Davis, ÒFortress LAÓ
Reading: Liane Lefaivre and Alexander Tzonis, ÔTropical Regionalism in an Age of Globalization. AULA 3 (2003)October 15: Discussion Class (Oct. 15 is last day to drop course with a DR grade)
Reading: Stan Allen, "Mapping the Unmappable: On Notation" in Stan Allen, Practice Architecture, Technique and Representation (Routledge, 2000)
Recommended: Stan Allen, "Traces"
.
Reading: Calvino, Cities and Memories 2
William Mitchell, "E-bodies, E-buildings, E-cities"
Reading: Koolhaas, "Congestion Without Matter" excerpt from Small, Medium, Large, Extra-Large