ARC 521SEM - Special Topics

This course will be taught as two parallel narratives regarding Global Practices in Design. The first narrative will be a class by class overview of important movements in art, architecture and design over the past century. Key movements will be examined in relationship to the social, political and economic factors which either played a role in its formation or which was reacted against. The intent of this approach to instruction is to provide students with a framework by which to recognize the societal forces which have an impact on the production of art, architecture and design. The second narrative of the course will survey small, cutting-edge architecture firms across the globe. We will begin with a review of the theory of ‘critical regionalism’ proposed by Kenneth Frampton in the 1980’s and follow that up with several readings that reinforce and/or question the validity of this theory. Students will then focus on the work of architects and artists working in different countries across the globe. The intent of the course is to facilitate students understanding of the design process used by various architects and to critically examine the relationship of this design process to the particular social, political and cultural milieu of the region in which each architect is generating the work.¿

Credits: 3