Contemporary Architecture & the Modern World

FALL 1998 & 1999,  Samia Rab, Ph.D.

Enrollment with permission only. Pre-requistes: ARCH 271 & ARCH 272

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The intention of this course is to provide enrolled participants with a multi-faceted understanding of the present state of architecture. It will encourage a comprehensive understanding of the differing approaches pursued in architectural practice today (Contextual, Regionalist, Classicist, Neo-Urbanist, Constructive, Formal, Symbolic, Modern, Metabolist, Deconstructive, High-Tech, and Bioclimatic) with examples of select canonical buildings from across the world. The major pre-occupations, problems and opportunities of our time will be discussed in relation to some of the most significant episodes in world history, looking back towards the mid-eighteenth century: (i) the emergence of multi-cultural societies, (ii) the search for self and regional identities, (iii) the making of independent nation-states, (iv) the development of colonies in foreign territories, (v) the beginning of scientific modernism, (vi) the augmentation of travel and the dispersion of people, ideas, techniques and practices across the globe. Participants will learn how to explore, establish, and fabricate links between contemporary architecture and the beginning of the modern world.

The course is organized in seminar form with lectures interspersed on specific themes. Topics for discussion range across a wide selection of theoretical, critical, historical, and philosophical writings of the century and important sources leading up to them.

The required readings are from the following sources:

ASSIGNMENT 1 (30% of the overall grade)

Each participant enrolled in this course is required to make three 30-minute formal presentations on their select seminar topics, in which they will lead the class discussion (the instructor will provide a list of seminar topics). For each presentation, the presenter must make references to the assigned chapters in the course text-book (all class participants are required to read these chapters) and additional assigned readings for their particular topic. Other faculty members and visitors may be present for the presentation.

ASSIGNMENT 2 (30% of the overall grade)

Each participant will write a book review in which she/he will describe and critically review the contents of a published book (the instructor will provide a list of books). This review should identify the author's central argument (position) and include an overview of the contents of each chapter.

ASSIGNMENT 3 (20% of the overall grade)

Each participant will write a term paper, which should be based on an improved text of her/his agreed seminar presentation (Assignment 2) together with key illustrations and diagrams. This paper is due two weeks after a participant's respective presentation. Participants are encouraged to illustrate their point of views by selecting works of architecture and relate the visible characteristics of select building/s to their seminar topic. They will also learn how to conduct library research on a select topic and the skills of critical reading. The library research for these two papers should include the use of Art Index and articles published in different Architectural Journals. Participants must give references to articles and books that they consult (refer to the Chicago Manual of Style for the use of bibliographic references, footnote & endnotes).

TAKE-HOME EXAM (20% of the overall grade)

This exam is based on visual analyses of two buildings located in the UH Manoa campus. It is designed to utilize the UH Manoa campus as a laboratory for the assessment of modern/postmodern buildings, and to advance a visual evaluation of architecture. This exam has two components: (i) on-site visual assessment of the assigned buildings; (ii) expeditious organization of analytical (visual and written) material. The exam will be issued on 11/23/99 at 2:00 PM and is due on 11/24/99, no later than 10 AM. (Receive & submit Exam in Room 202).

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Class Presentation 30%
Book Review 20%
Term Paper 20%
Take-Home Exam 20%
Attendance 05%
Class Participation 05%