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Course profile

Modern Architecture & the Metropolis (ARCH2240)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
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
  • In-person
20%

24/07/2024 - 9/10/2024

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Performance Architectural Debates
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
30% IVA

Debates in class 4/09/2024 - 2/10/2024

Debate submissions are due the Monday before debate presentations at 2pm.

Project Major Project 50%

Gameplan 30/08/2024 2:00 pm

Digital submission via Blackboard 8/10/2024 2:00 pm

Final Hardcopy - Zelman Cowen Exhibition Space between 1-2pm 8/10/2024 2:00 pm

Presentations: 8am - 1pm 9/10/2024

Assessment details

Participation & Exercises

  • In-person
Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Participation/ Student contribution
Weight
20%
Due date

24/07/2024 - 9/10/2024

Task description

Assessment Rationale: 

Students are required to attend lectures, debates 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 such activities falls below 80% students 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.

Architectural Debates

  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Oral, Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Performance
Weight
30% IVA
Due date

Debates in class 4/09/2024 - 2/10/2024

Debate submissions are due the Monday before debate presentations at 2pm.

Task description

Assessment Rationale: 

The purpose of this assessment item is for students to demonstrate:

(a) their ability to engage critically with a topic

(b) their analytical and research skills

(c) skills in scholarly research and expression, and

(d) their ability to construct, articulate and respond to arguments (both individually and collaboratively).

Debates will be scheduled over 1-3 weeks of the semester in lieu of tutorials, or as noted in the course timetable. Topics or propositions will be distributed in the second or third lecture. This assessment exercise involves elements of both group and individual work. Students will be assessed individually, but one component of this assessment will reflect the quality and coherence of the entire team's response to the proposition. To ensure coherence and avoid duplication, students will initially need to work with their teams to develop a series of arguments in response to the proposition.

Then, working individually, each student will develop and discuss one of these arguments. In addition to articulating their individual argument, the first speaker of each team will need to give a broad introduction to the topic and an overview of their team's response. Subsequent speakers will need to incorporate a rebuttal of the opposing team's argument into their discussion. In addition to their individual argument, the final speaker for each team will need to briefly conclude the team's argument. The arguments and discussions of the debates will reflect an understanding of the proposition in relation to issues raised in the course material.

Students will be required to submit a digital copy of their debate text prior to their debate, and a printed copy of their debate text (including rebuttal notes) at the end of the debating session. Summative feedback will be provided in a timely manner.

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 cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Due to group presentations, extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the course coordinator.

Late submission

The late penalty for this assessment item will be calculated as follows: 

First 1-hour block - initial 1 hour grace period no penalty.

Second 1-hour block - An penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted

Third 1-hour block - An additional penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted. (adding up to a total penalty of 20% of the maximum possible mark)

Any submissions received after three hours will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each one-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due. 

Major Project

Mode
Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
Category
Project
Weight
50%
Due date

Gameplan 30/08/2024 2:00 pm

Digital submission via Blackboard 8/10/2024 2:00 pm

Final Hardcopy - Zelman Cowen Exhibition Space between 1-2pm 8/10/2024 2:00 pm

Presentations: 8am - 1pm 9/10/2024

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

The late penalty for this assessment item will be calculated as follows: 

First 1-hour block - initial 1 hour grace period no penalty.

Second 1-hour block - An penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted

Third 1-hour block - An additional penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted. (adding up to a total penalty of 20% of the maximum possible mark)

Any submissions received after three hours will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each one-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due. 

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

Find the required and recommended resources for this course 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.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 11
(22 Jul - 13 Oct)

Lecture

Lectures

For Lecture Schedule see Course Handout (which will be made available in Week 1 via Blackboard)

Week 1 - Course Introduction

Week 4 - No Lecture (EKKA)

Mid Semester Break

Week 11 - No Lecture - Project Presentations 8am-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 4 - No Lecture (EKKA)

Week 7 - Tutorial/Debate 1

Week 9 - Tutorial/Debate 2

Mid Semester Break

Week 10 - Tutorial/Debate 3

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:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.