HA2F7-30 Modern Architecture and the Historic City
Introductory description
This module looks at the relationship of modern architecture to tradition and historic cities.
Module aims
The aim of this module is to examine the way that modernist architects and planners engaged with historical legacies of cities. The module is taught through lectures, seminars and site visits, in Venice and its surrounding area. It explores its urban area as a case study in conjunction with pertinent texts about the contested legacies of architectural modernism, in issues ranging from conservation to town planning. The module begins with the emergence of urban planning and the conservationist movement in the 19th century, continues through the rise of international modernism in the 20th century, and concludes with postmodernism and new technologies associated with contemporary architectural practice.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Introduction
- The International Style versus national modernisms
- Ruskin and the development of the conservation movement world-wide
- Urban Planning
- Urban Photography
- Modern Venice: Eugenio Miozzi
- Carlo Scarpa: restoration and renewal
- Le Corbusier’s global reach
- Venice 1960s & 1970s
- Contemporary Bridges
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the contested place of history and tradition within modern architectural practice
- Demonstrate an understanding of the varieties of international architectural modernism(s)
- Relate the urban history of Venice in the twentieth century to wider trends and ideas in international architecture
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the architectural history of the periods
- Read and interpret maps and architectural plans.
- Demonstrate knowledge of relationships between architectural form and function.
- Situate buildings and urban developments within their historical, social and political contexts.
- initiate and sustain group discussion through intelligent questioning and debate at an appropriate level
- ability to undertake research and to write up the results in the form of a well-structured argument at an appropriate level
- familiarity with essential ICT skills
- ability to collaborate effectively with others
- show understanding of diverse viewpoints
- ability to find, select, organize and synthesize evidence
- ability to formulate a sustained argument
- think conceptually and independently at an appropriate level
- Demonstrate bibliographical skills at an appropriate level
- Analyse cultural artefacts in their context
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
International
This module is taught in Venice through class-based learning, on-site seminars and external study visits. It enables students to live and study in another country and culture.
Subject specific skills
By the end of the module students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the contested place of history and tradition within modern architectural practice
- Demonstrate an understanding of the varieties of international architectural modernism(s)
- Relate the urban history of Venice in the twentieth century to wider trends and ideas in international architecture
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the architectural history of the periods
- Read and interpret maps and architectural plans
- Demonstrate knowledge of relationships between architectural form and function
- Situate buildings and urban developments within their historical, social and political contexts
Transferable skills
By the end of the module students should be able to
- initiate and sustain group discussion through intelligent questioning and debate at an appropriate level
- ability to undertake research and to write up the results in the form of a well-structured argument at an appropriate level
- familiarity with essential ICT skills
- ability to collaborate effectively with others
- show understanding of diverse viewpoints
- ability to find, select, organize and synthesize evidence
- ability to formulate a sustained argument
- think conceptually and independently at an appropriate level
- employ conceptual and visual analysis
- demonstrate bibliographical skills at an appropriate level
- analysise cultural artefacts in their context
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 8 sessions of 2 hours (5%) |
| Seminars | 4 sessions of 2 hours (3%) |
| External visits | 2 sessions of 8 hours (5%) |
| Other activity | 2 hours (1%) |
| Private study | 258 hours (86%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Required and recommended reading for lectures, on site seminars and presentations, external visits and research/writing of portfolio; independent viewing and studying of sites, buildings, monuments.
Other activity description
orientation; discussion of assessment
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Portfolio | 90% | Yes (extension) | |
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Portfolio covering development and providing evidence of independent study of sites, buildings and monuments demonstrating skills of visual and contextual analysis. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Spoken engagement | 10% | No | |
|
Spoken Engagement |
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Reassessment component |
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| Journal | No | ||
Feedback on assessment
Written feedback and dedicated feedback tutorials
Courses
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 2 of UHAA-V401 Undergraduate History of Art