ARCHHTC 341 : Worlds of Architecture

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines topics in pre-modern architectural and urban history and theory across the continents of Eurasia, Africa, the Americas, Australia and Oceania.

Course Overview

This omnibus course samples the immensely rich and diverse architecture record through a long chronology and wide geography. The lectures are delivered by numerous individuals within their specialisms: Andrew Barrie on Japan, Yusnidar Yusof on Southeast Asia, Deidre Brown on Māori, Ross Jenner on the European Renaissance and Baroque and Michael Milojevic on the Mediterranean Basin and Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. The regular quizzes are designed to reinforce the key ideas, forms, spaces and technologies presented in that lecture. The regular tutorials broaden and deepen various topics associated with the lectures by means of readings and short essays leading up to the research and writing of the main essay and accompanying drawing assignment. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ARCHHTC 237 Restriction: ARCHHTC 339, 340

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Analyse and evaluate pre-modern world architecture as site and culturally specific (Capability 1.1 and 6.1)
  2. Analyse and evaluate the relationship between architecture and its diverse and transforming cultural contexts (Capability 1.1 and 6.1)
  3. Communicate a critical position on the significance of an architectural typology and structure, cognisant of the particularities of technologies and meanings (Capability 1.1 and 6.1)
  4. Demonstrate critical thinking and a position on a topic, acknowledging the architects, scholars and commentators who have informed it. Demonstrate fluency with academic writing conventions. (Capability 1.1 and 6.1)
  5. Analyse and evaluate the technological means developed to achieve particular architectural outcomes (Capability 1.1 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay and Drawing / summative 50% Individual Coursework
Quizzes / basic understanding 25% Individual Coursework
Tutorials / formative 25% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Essay and Drawing / summative
Quizzes / basic understanding
Tutorials / formative

Teaching & Learning Methods

The lectures are delivered by specialists with the aim of introducing much new material efficiently. The tutorials are the key opportunity to share and discuss readings on specific themes in architecture and urban history with colleagues and tutors. The written tutorial assignments develop research, writing and media skills. The quizzes are largely about developing visual literacy skills i.e. what information may be gleaned from maps, aerials, drawings and photographs. The final assignments are intended to be a significant piece of writing and media interpretation and, thereby, a step to masters level work. In order to prepare for the main essay and drawing, the class meets in a blended learning session in which students present their first thoughts to their colleagues before submitting their refined abstract for review and support.   

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

Each week in this course has 4 hours of preparatory reading and research, 3 hours of lectures, 2 hours of tutorial research and writing, and a 1 hour tutorial.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Lecture and tutorial attendance is required. Credit for quizzes and tutorials is only given for those in attendance. Permission is required to submit quizzes and tutorials if in the case of special circumstances attendance is not possible. Lecture powerpoints, some glossaries and notes are posted a day ahead in modules and recordings are posted in panopto. Under COVID levels lectures, tutorials and quizzes are provided on-line.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

While there is no single source which covers the course's wide cultural and geographical survey Richard Ingersoll's World Architecture : A Cross-Cultural History is a good start. For the pre-modern Pacific and New Zealand and the recommended weekly readings please refer to  Talis and lecture handouts.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The most significant addition to the supporting materials new to the 2024 version of the course are glossaries which help with terms specific to eras and cultures ie Prehistoric architecture or European Medieval Architecture or Central and South American Architecture.  

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved using the Extension of Time Application Form. Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications by students should include information about the unexpected circumstances and should attach evidence to support this if available. Notifications received after an assessment due date will be accepted, where this is reasonable, within the context of the course. Students are encouraged to seek medical, counselling or other support from the most appropriate sources.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 04/11/2023 12:58 p.m.