Course Title: History Asian Architecture and Urbanism

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: History Asian Architecture and Urbanism

Credit Points: 12

Course Coordinator: Anna Johnson

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99252975

Course Coordinator Email:anna.johnson@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

1st three year (undergraduate) of the architecture program

Course Description

‘Asian Architecture and Urbanism’ is a selective and strategic study of architecture and urbanism in Asia that integrates history, theory, professional practice, technology, and design with a particular focus on how the study of the Asian city can be applied to our work as designers and practitioners. Although the subject matter (or laboratory) is ‘Asian’ architecture and urbanism, it is intended that the issues, references, tools and strategies will resonate with conditions in other cities (such as Melbourne).

This course, a Core subject in the Masters of Architecture program, is structured around twelve weeks of lectures presented by RMIT Architecture + Design academic staff in areas of relevance to their ongoing research, and by guest lecturers with specialist expertise in particular areas of Asian architecture and urbanism. There are twelve weeks of accompanying tutorial sessions.

The assessment tasks and weekly tutorials are supported by a parallel and complementary suite of lectures that articulate some of the methods of research by design in RMIT Architecture’s tri-polar research streams: ‘Expanded Field’ (issues of ethics and sustainability, regimes of care, art and public space, social needs and the ephemeral); ‘Urban Architecture Laboratory’ (a concern for precedent, type, and the pragmatics of infrastructure and the urban scale, including civic consciousness and civic narratives); and ‘Advanced Architectures’ (the pursuit of rule generated processes in design that allow for the utilisation of new digital and biological technologies).

‘Asian Architecture and Urbanism’ is an induction (or reminder) for students joining the Masters of Architecture at RMIT as well as a preparation for Major Project. Students will have the opportunity to test the techniques of the above-mentioned research streams so that they may critically select future Upper Pool studios and electives and identify supervisors for their ‘Major Project’ or further postgraduate study. Students should be conscious that they are undertaking research and research by design at a Masters’ level; this research should be of the standard to be included in the content of lectures in subsequent semesters, as well as in future print and web-based publications.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On completion of this subject a student should be able to demonstrate:
• A basic understanding of a selected range of social, cultural political and environmental issues and the influences they have exerted on the development of architecture within the selected region.
• A basic understanding of some important similarities and differences between contemporary western architecture and the architecture of the region.
• The ability to apply this knowledge as a component in the development of a personal attitude to the relationship of architectural design to its cultural matrix.

The RMIT University Graduate capabilities, which are addressed by this course, are as follows:

• Knowledge of a selected range of social, cultural and political factors which have shaped the architecture of the region being studied.
• Critical analysis: the ability to examine an issue in its context, reflect on it, intelligently assess accepted interpretations of the material and form a coherent personal opinion as a result of this.
• Creativity: the ability to analyse problems from a number of perspectives and arrive at original solutions.
• Communication: the ability to communicate effectively verbally [in both written and spoken form], graphically [hard copy and electronic] and via modelling.

Planned Student Learning Experiences
Students will be exposed to a wide range of learning experiences. These are:

• Accessing, comprehending and synthesising remote mode, on-line study material.
• Group work preparing case studies which explore key themes of South East Asian Architecture.
• Formal presentation and participation in discussion of the outcomes of the group work.
• Conference mode lecture and workshop presentations run by guest lecturers.
• Individual essay for each student to research a relevant topic of particular personal interest.

As detailed in the Course documents on the Learning Hub at RMIT online

Overview of Learning Activities

Students will be exposed to a wide range of learning experiences. These are:

• Accessing, comprehending and synthesising remote mode, on-line study material.
• Group work preparing case studies which explore key themes of South East Asian Architecture.
• Formal presentation and participation in discussion of the outcomes of the group work.
• Conference mode lecture and workshop presentations run by guest lecturers.
• Individual essay for each student to research a relevant topic of particular personal interest.

Overview of Learning Resources

Texts, References and Other Learning Resources
A comprehensive on-line bibliography is provided in support of this subject and recommended readings directly relevant to the on-line learning units are supplied on-line. In addition a file of relevant material is kept on limited reserve under the course name and number in the RMIT Swanston Library during semesters in which the course is offered.

Fees and Charges:
Fees and charges must be approved by the Vice-Chancellor. Approved Fees and Charges for the current year can be found at http://www.rmit.edu.au/departments/aa/charges.htm - see Section 7 Course Charges.

Student Complaints Policy:
For information about how to make a complaint and the Student Complaints Policy go to your Faculty or Departmental Office. The policy is available on the web. Its URL is:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/departments/aa/complaints.pdf

Overview of Assessment

Special Consideration:

Please refer to the University Special Consideration Policy at:
http://mams.rmit.edu.au/vbi4hpp6m8on.pdf

The Application for Special Consideration form can be obtained from:
http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Students are required to personally submit their application to the Course Co-ordinator, who will discuss the outcome of the application at that time or advise otherwise. It is advisable for students to attach proof of your grounds to your special consideration application.

Support and documentation are available from the following free services at RMIT:
RMIT Counselling Service- for support and documentation of personal issues such as relationship break down anxiety, family problems: 9925-4365, counselling@rmit.edu.au
Disability Liaison Service- if you have an ongoing condition (including depression and anxiety): 9925-1089, dlu@rmit.edu.au
Campus Nurse Service - if you are sick and need to see a doctor: 9925-2297 campus.nurse@rmit.edu.au

A student may apply for special consideration if their work has been adversely affected by their medical or personal circumstances. A medical certificate from a doctor or counsellor must be provided, clearly stating the reason that the students work was affected.