AA2HTC: History and Theory of Architecture: Buildings and Places

Module code: AA2HTC

Module provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Stephen Gage, email: s.g.gage@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE AA2IPR AND TAKE AA2STC AND TAKE AA2DS3N AND TAKE AA2DS4N (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is the second in a series of modules which relate to the history and theory of architecture, to be provided over three years within the Architecture programme. It is closely related to other modules including second year design modules.  
 
Modules will explore how different civilisations/societies responded to a changing physical, socio-political, legal, cultural, technological, industrial and economic context. The module will involve consideration of examples from around the world, helping students to build an understanding of local issues arising in a variety of climates and societies. 
 
The scale of examples considered in this second-year module will generally be at a local level – at the scale of buildings, groups of buildings, neighbourhoods and communities, to align within the scale of projects undertaken by students in the second-year design studio module. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Understand the cultural, social and intellectual histories, theories and technologies that influence the design of buildings; GC 2.1
2. Understand the influence of history and theory on the spatial, social, and technological aspects of architecture; GC 2.2
3. Understand the design theories, practices and technologies of the arts influence architectural design; GC 3.1
4. Understand the creative application of the fine arts and their relevance and impact on architecture; GC 3.2
5. Understand the application of appropriate theoretical concepts to studio design projects, in terms of their conceptualisation and representation; GC 3.3 and GC 2.3
6. Evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions in order to make and present sound judgements within a structured discourse relating to architectural culture, theory and design; GA 1.4
7. Demonstrate their analytical skills and critical thinking as well as their ability to structure extended pieces of written work and portfolio submissions
8. Demonstrate relationships between people, buildings and spaces and their understanding of urban design issues

Module content

The module is structured around a range of topic areas:

1.  Architecture and contemporary ideas
2. Architecture and society
3. Architecture and the city – The birth of public spaces; the agora, the loggia and the piazza; identify and place from the Antiquity via the Renaissance to contemporary sense of public realm
4. The changing role of the architect through the centuries: from the guilds to the avant-garde and from there to the social entrepreneur
5. Interactions between architectural firms/organisations and communities
6. Students will be asked to develop case studies and to develop pieces of critical writing that respond to a range of topics

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be delivered via lectures and seminar discussions, where student participation in leading discussion will be essential. There will be occasional guest lecturers. Extra hours for essay guidance/supervision are included. Additional materials, including optional recorded lectures and weekly readings, will be provided online via Blackboard.  

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

This module will include formative assessment related to written assignments including interim feedback provided as work for formal assessment is developed. 

Reassessment

Additional costs