Course syllabus

Course-PM

ACE385 Resistant architecture lp3 VT25 (5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Architecture and Civil Engineering

 

Contact details

Bri Gauger, course leader, teacher, bri.gauger@chalmers.se

Marco Adelfio, examiner, adelfio@chalmers.se 

 

Course purpose

Resistant Architecture focuses on alternative ways of doing architecture by studying critical approaches vis-a-vis the discipline and profession of architecture including contributions beyond the designing and realising of buildings. The course introduces you to (historical) instances of resistant architecture, which it takes as an invitation to ask how architecture can develop different imaginations towards a more socially and ecologically sustainable world. We will study this through a selection of resistant ‘vehicles’ including pivotal moments in the critical self-reflection of the profession and discipline of architecture; the architectural ‘manifesto’ as a tool for resistance and critique operating through text, visuals/drawing, buildings, and embodied action; ‘critical storytelling’ as a tool for both critical reflection and projection; and the role of the architect as an ‘agent of change’.

 

Schedule

SEE CANVAS CALENDAR and Module: Practicalities and Resources

(TimeEdit)

 

Course Literature

SEE Modules Section on Canvas: Seminars 1 to 5 for required reading.

SEE Module: Practicalities and Resources for recommended reading and additional resources.

 

Course design

The course is based on seminars where you will work on specific tasks and develop, together with the teacher and through group work and self-study, more specific skills focusing on reading, research, writing, and storytelling. Tutorials will also be provided for discussing the course work / assignments. 

We will use Canvas as the main digital learning platform for this course. Students may also communicate with the teacher by email.

 

Changes made since the last occasion

Revised existing seminar modules to include new reading selections.

 

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

Knowledge and understanding

  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of theoretical, historical, or design perspectives on resistant architecture and urban design
  • Critically evaluate, summarize, and comment on theoretical and historical academic texts

Competence and skills

  • Use texts, historical cases, and design precedents as a basis for formulating a critical position or query on resistant architecture, and for formulating alternatives for a more sustainable world
  • Apply good practices of citation and referencing when working with sources and precedents (whether theories, histories, or projects)

Judgement and approach

  • Critically relate their own writing and arguments as developed in the course to larger issues and debates within architecture and urban design

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen: Study plan

 

Examination form

Essay: You will write and submit a short individual paper, focusing on the study of one vehicle of resistance or agent of change, inspired by the seminars held in this course. You will be invited to choose your own topic to write about or draw inspiration from suggestions provided by the teacher.

For their course work, students will be invited to study examples of projects, initiatives, and individuals or groups who have pushed for critical agendas in the profession, discipline or education.

Each student must hand in an individual text of 2000-2200 words, complete with references and a bibliography at the end of the course. Grading of the essays depends on the level of ability to apply theoretical, historical and/or critical knowledge. Mainly descriptive texts are graded 3; text that show a more analytical ability are graded 4; text that demonstrate a deeper analytical and argumentative ability are graded 5. Texts that are not meeting the word requirement, not handed in in time, not referring to any of the course literature, show poor citation practices, or do not demonstrate that the student has met the learning objectives to a satisfying level will be failed.

Stories That Persist: We will produce a collective booklet of stories that matter, including the portraits of architects that inspire you/us as agents of change. You will work on this during the course sessions in smaller groups resulting in a storybook collecting all the work. We will draw attention to those who have resisted the dominant view of architects as designers of buildings (they indeed do and can do so much more!) and who have also expanded the definition of what constitutes a contribution to architecture (buildings as much as exhibitions, community actions, teaching, writings, and so on). You will be invited to study women who have, in their capacity as editors, curators of exhibitions, writers, campaigners, educators and academic or professional leaders, provided important platforms for discussing the individual and collective achievements of architects committed to social and environmental change.

Examination: The course examination is based on your active participation in seminars (including contributing to the specific tasks set per seminar), your contribution to the collective booklet of stories that persist, and your timely submission of a written paper based on individual readings and research. Students are required to participate actively in a minimum of 80% of the seminars and lectures. 

Note on the use of AI: AI tools may not be used producing written text. If you use AI for other tasks within course assignments, you must be transparent about it by stating in the final product where you used it and what you used it for.