Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).
Overview
- Swedish nameUrbanteori
- CodeACE600
- Credits4.5 Credits
- OwnerTKARK
- Education cycleFirst-cycle
- Main field of studyArchitecture
- DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
- GradingUG - Pass, Fail
Course round 1
- Teaching language Swedish
- Application code 45130
- Open for exchange studentsNo
- Only students with the course round in the programme overview.
Credit distribution
Module | Sp1 | Sp2 | Sp3 | Sp4 | Summer | Not Sp | Examination dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0124 Written and oral assignments 4.5 c Grading: UG | 4.5 c | 0 c | 0 c | 0 c | 0 c | 0 c |
In programmes
Examiner
- Kristina Grange
- Full Professor, Urban Design and Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Eligibility
General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Specific entry requirements
The same as for the programme that owns the course.Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Course specific prerequisites
- Architecture, theory and sustainability, or equivalent
- History of architecture, or equivalent
The course is part of the learning sequence on Architectural theory and history and deepens the students' knowledge of architecture as a critical and scientific field and their ability to express themselves in an analytical and argumentative way in texts which where covered in the above-mentioned courses.
Aim
In the course students are trained to understand urban design and planning as a scientific field, and what a critical and scientific approach to sustainable urban development entails. The course builds on the course Architecture, theory and sustainability from year 1, and adds analytical and theoretical knowledge that is tested and examined in own essay writing. The course focuses on giving students insight into three different urban theoretical and methodological research orientations, and how they are connected: 1). critical urban studies, 2). urban spatial theory, and 3). urban design theory. The theoretical and methodological aspects are practiced through literature studies, short assignments, seminars where different theories and methods are discussed and a concluding individual essay. In connection with these elements, the students are trained to think critically about the role of urban design and planning in the development of society (e.g. based on the needs of different individuals and social groups in the city, and how they relate to aspects of justice such as gender, class, ethnicity and decolonial perspectives), how urban design and planning can be understood based on different spatial concepts (e.g. starting from how different urban theories provide different knowledge about the city landscape and how it can be designed), as well as with which design theoretical methods urban design and planning can be developed (e.g. when it concerns how synthesis and analysis depend on each other in iterative design processes, and how generative and analytical knowledge interact in urban planning processes). The course is made up of 3-5 literature seminars with lectures that are common to all students, as well as three elective deepening tracks for essay writing.Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
- give an account of the main features of three urban theoretical strands (critical urban studies; urban spatial theory; and urban design theory) and describe how these orientations differ from each other methodologically.
- formulate an independent position based on arguments in the course literature and other texts, develop this position in an academic text, and use citation, references and bibliography correctly.
- show the ability to value the relevance of different urban theories, identify additional needs for knowledge, and relate this knowledge to sustainable social development and a future professional role.
Content
The course consists of an introductory part, 3-5 literature seminars, own essay writing within the in-depth track, tutoring opportunities and a final cross-critique presentation and opposition.Organisation
The course is organized so that the introduction, lectures and literature seminars are aimed at all students. Literature seminars and discussions are conducted in groups based on drawing rooms. Essay writing and presentation takes place within the framework of in-depth tracks with a principal teacher responsible for each in-depth track.Literature
Notified at the start of the course.Examination including compulsory elements
Examination takes place through:- Shorter assignments in connection with each literature seminar.
- Final individual writing task which must be between 2000 and 2200 words and be based on the course literature.
- Active and mandatory participation in literature seminars, presentations and discussions.
A student who is not approved in the course after the regular examination will be given the opportunity to be examined through supplementation after the end of the course if the examiner deems it possible. If, after two attempts at completion, the student still cannot be approved, the student must retake the course. Assessment of completions takes place during Chalmers' re-examination periods. It is the student's responsibility to check reported study results in Ladok after each study period and to contact the course examiner for instructions on supplementation if an approved result is missing.
The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.