Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Architecture, Design and Planning School
A critical analysis of modern architecture and urbanism taking into account its polemical inception in the early twentieth century, its re-evaluation and diffusion after the Second World War, and its relevance for contemporary architecture.
ARCH2240 is one of four core history and theory courses offered in the Bachelor of Architectural Design introducing fundamental exemplars of past and present architecture, and consideration of their meanings and values within relevant theoretical contexts. Students will develop skills in the analysis of buildings and texts, with argumentation through discussion, presentations and written communication.
ARCH2240 is designed to build on architectural knowledge and skills and develop students’ ability in the analysis of architecture and ﾠits historical development in relation to the wider social and technological aspects of modernity. ARCH2240 offers a critical analysis of modern architecture and urbanism, taking into account its polemical inception in the early twentieth century, its re-evaluation and diffusion after the Second World War, and its relevance for contemporary architecture.
The course is organised thematically, with individual lectures considering how particular themes and concepts have manifested across various movements during the twentieth century, as well as considering their nineteenth-century contexts and ongoing impact in contemporary architecture. Typical themes may include: ornament, history, technology, utopia, housing, the city, healthfulness, memory, space, and power.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students are assumed to have an introductory understanding of fundamental architectural knowledge and skills.
Recommended companion or co-requisite courses
We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:
ARCH2200 and BLDG2120
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ARCH3110
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to develop students’ ability to analyse modern architecture and urbanism, its historical development in relation to the wider social and technological aspects of modernity, and its contemporary relevance for architecture.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Use the principal historical and theoretical divisions in modern architecture to classify and interpret a range of canonical and lesser-known buildings and urban schemes.
LO2.
Analyse and evaluate architectural and urban works, theories and ideologies in relation to the wider social, urban and technological aspects of modernity.
LO3.
Identify and discuss critiques of modernism and their ongoing relevance in contemporary architecture
LO4.
Independently and/or collaboratively conduct simple research tasks in response to a defined project.
LO5.
Independently use evidence to construct written arguments about built environment issues.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Participation & Exercises
|
10% |
29/07/2025 - 14/10/2025 |
| Project |
Major Project
|
50% |
Gameplan 22/08/2025 2:00 pm Digital submission 13/10/2025 2:00 pm Final Hardcopy - Exhibition Space between 1-2pm 13/10/2025 2:00 pm Presentations: in class 14/10/2025 |
| Examination |
Examination
|
40% IVA |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Participation & Exercises
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
29/07/2025 - 14/10/2025
Task description
Assessment Rationale:
Students are required to attend lectures and tutorials regularly, undertake the specified readings and participate regularly in discussions and activities in both tutorials and lectures. From time to time tutors may give formative feedback.
Assessment tasks prohibiting use of AI or MT: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Students are expected to participate in at least 80% of scheduled course activities. If participation in activities falls below 80% due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, documentation may be requested. If a student's participation falls below 50%, a maximum grade of 3 will be awarded.
Major Project
- In-person
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
Gameplan 22/08/2025 2:00 pm
Digital submission 13/10/2025 2:00 pm
Final Hardcopy - Exhibition Space between 1-2pm 13/10/2025 2:00 pm
Presentations: in class 14/10/2025
Task description
Assessment Rationale:
Students will be invited to demonstrate, interpret, and apply their understanding and knowledge of Modern Architecture through the design and execution of a game. Students will demonstrate their abilities in self-directed research, analysis of texts and building, developing an argument around a topic, scholarly research, writing and design skills, and the ability to handle and discuss ideas.
An assignment handout will be made available on BlackBoard following the second lecture of the semester. Students should submit a "game plan", using a template provided. Formative feedback will be provided to students who submit an abstract at this time. Summative feedback will be provided on final submission.
The final submission comprises both a physical and digital submission.
Assessment task to be completed without use of AI or MT: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The School of Architecture, Design and Planning uses Blackboard and Turnitin for assessment submission. Turnitin is accessed through the course Blackboard site. Turnitin also checks for plagiarism or instances where the original work of others is not appropriately acknowledged.
Students are advised to commence assignment uploads with sufficient amount of time (consider possible technical problems with computers, internet speed, etc). After successfully submitting an assignment through Turnitin, a ‘Submission Complete!’ screen will be displayed. It is the student’s responsibility to check assignment preview and confirm successful submission. If the ‘Submission Complete!’ screen isn’t displayed, the student should regard the submission as unsuccessful. Students should download a copy of the digital receipt as proof they have submitted the assignment. Students who are experiencing upload issues must advise the Course Coordinator immediately by email and should include screenshots and a copy of the assessment for submission.
To meet professional accreditation, public engagement and quality assurance obligations, digital copies of all course assessment items must be submitted in addition to any hard copy submission requirements specified in individual Course / Studio Outlines. Any physical models should be photographed and a minimum of two photographs describing the complete and full model must be included in the digital submission.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If a student wishes to apply for an extension, they must apply online on or before the assignment due date. When possible, it is suggested that requests are submitted 2 business days prior to the submission due date for the assignment to allow processing time. Students with outstanding applications for extensions are advised to submit their assessment by the original due date, irrespective of whether the work is complete, so that what has been done can be graded.
Presentations cannot be reconvened for the presentation component of assessment when an extension has been approved. Students with granted extensions (or pending extension applications) are able to attend but are not permitted to participate in the presentations.
Late submission
Standard 10% (or 1 grade) per day for 7 days
Examination
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40% IVA
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
Task description
Assessment Rationale:
The final exam will be conducted on-campus during the Central Exam Period. It will be a closed-book, invigilated exam on the Inspera exam platform. Students will need to bring their own suitable laptop device. The exam may include multiple choice, short answer questions, short essay, or other assessment tasks covering topics, concepts, buildings and ideas discussed in lectures and required readings.
In-person assessment not permitting use of AI or MT: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied to receive a specific grade in the course. This assessment item is designated as a Hurdle in this course. This means a minimum achievement of 50% (a grade of 4) is required for this assessment item in order to pass the course. Meeting the hurdle requirement for a course does not guarantee a passing grade for the course and in order to pass this course, students also need to achieve a minimum grade of 4 overall.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Identity verified assessment with a hurdle (IVAH)
To meet assessment validity and integrity obligations, this course includes at least one piece of individual Identity Verified Assessment with a Hurdle (IVAH) that is unambiguously completed by that student, and in which a minimum level of achievement is reached. IVAH assessment item(s) contribute at least 30% towards the final grade. Examples of IVAH items include any activity in which a student’s individual performance is directly monitored, such as performances, fieldwork, oral assessment (including design critiques), design studio project work and invigilated exams. In order to pass this course students must achieve a minimum grade for the IVAH designated assessment item(s) as stated in the Assessment Task Description in the ECP. ﾠ
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 11 |
Lecture |
Lectures For Lecture Schedule see Course Handout (which will be made available in Week 1 via Blackboard) Week 1 - Course Introduction Mid Semester Break Week 11 - No Lecture - Project Presentations 10am-1pm, Zelman Cowan Exhibition Space (TBC) Week 12 - No Lecture Week 13 - No Lecture |
Tutorial |
Tutorials For Tutorial Schedule see Course Handout (which will be made available in Week 1 via Blackboard) Week 1 - Course Introduction Week 7 - Tutorial Week 9 - Tutorial Mid Semester Break Week 10 - Tutorial Week 11 - Project Presentations 8am-1pm, Zelman Cowan Exhibition Space (TBC) Week 12 - No Tutorial Week 13 - No Tutorial |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.