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Twenty-first Century Architecture (ABPL90117)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
Semester 2
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This subject offers a broad introduction to contemporary theories and methods used in the production and critique of architecture in the context of current practice.

Architectural concepts such as program, diagram, transparency, tectonics, materiality, and ornament will be explored along with the contemporary manifestations of landscape urbanism, digital technologies, ecological sustainability, and biomimicry in design. The subject provides a perspective within which contemporary architectural polemics and strategies can be understood so that students can approach their own practice with the knowledge of existing contemporary theories of design.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Understand and articulate a broad range of contemporary architectural theories.
  • Identify the major architectural thinkers, their philosophical positions and the debates between them.
  • Develop a disciplinary vocabulary based in architectural discourse.
  • Investigate a particular architectural theory for critical debate and to develop it for their own design practice and criticism.

Generic skills

  • Critical thinking and analysis
  • Use and citation of sources
  • Written and verbal presentation of ideas
  • Essay and report writing
  • Ability to analyse social and cultural contexts
  • Application of generic theories to specific examples

Last updated: 21 February 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Students must meet one of the following prerequisite options:

Option 1

Admission into one of the following: MC-ARCH3Y Master of Architecture, 300pt Program course entry point in the MC-ARCH Master of Architecture

AND

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ABPL90289 Architectural Cultures 2:After Modernism
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Option 2

Admission into or selection of one of the following:

  • MC-ARCH2Y Master of Architecture
  • MC-ARCHENG Master of Architectural Engineering
  • MC-LARCH Master of Landscape Architecture
  • MC-ARCHCM Master of Architecture/Master of Construction Management
  • MC-ARCHUCH Master of Architecture/Master of Urban Cultural Heritage
  • MC-ARCLARC Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture
  • MC-URPL Master of Urban Planning
  • MC-URBDES Master of Urban Design
  • MC-ARCHUP Master of Architecture/Master of Urban Planning
  • MC-ARCHUD Master of Architecture/Master of Urban Design
  • MC-ARCPROP Master of Architecture/Master of Property

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 21 February 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Weekly tutorial attendance and participation

Hurdle requirement: Attendance in 9/12 tutorials is a hurdle requirement. 		10%

8 Weekly Reading Analysis

  • 250 words (each)
Throughout the semester25%

3 quizzes on lecture content, week 4, 8 and 12, 10% each

  • 1500 words (total)
From Week 4 to Week 1230%

Manifesto outline

  • 250 words
Week 75%

Manifesto draft

  • 1500-2000 words
Hurdle requirement: A minimum grade of 45% must be obtained in the Manifesto draft in order to pass the subject overall.		Week 1015%

Manifesto final (revisions), 1500-2000 words incorporating not in addition to the draft.

  • 1500-2000 words (total)
During the examination period15%

Additional details

Last updated: 21 February 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorAnnmarie Brennan
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours48 hours (2 x 1.5 hour lecture per week and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week).
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023
    Last self-enrol date10 March 2023
    Census date31 March 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023
    Assessment period ends23 June 2023

    Semester 1 contact information

    Subject Coordinator

    Annmarie Brennan

    brea@unimelb.edu.au

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorAnnmarie Brennan
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours48 hours (2 x 1.5 hour lecture per week and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week).
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023
    Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023
    Census date31 August 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail22 September 2023
    Assessment period ends17 November 2023

    Semester 2 contact information

    Email: brea@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
    - Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.

Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.

Last updated: 21 February 2023

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Urban and Cultural Heritage
    CourseMaster of Architectural Engineering
  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

Last updated: 21 February 2023