B4879 - CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the Course students will be familiar with the main architectural events of the contemporary era; they will understand the relationship between objects and spaces designed for their communication; they will be able to critically evaluate the main architectures of the last decades in relation to the contemporary global cultural and economic panorama.

Course contents

The course objective is to provide students with a basic understanding of contemporary architecture and its problems. Each lecture will be dedicated to a single topic and will address emblematic cases in-depth, with the aim of highlighting the role of the project at different scales: from design to architecture to the urban dimension.

With the goal of encouraging a participatory discussion on design cultures, the classroom lessons may be accompanied by a practical exercise on the course topics.

 

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Readings/Bibliography

At the conclusion of each lecture, the instructor will provide a bibliography of reference readings on the topics dealt with during the lecture.

The slides prepared by the instructor - available on the Virtuale platform - and all the information contained in them are an essential part of the course bibliography.

Teaching methods

The course is organized in lectures dedicated to individual topics and case study analyses. We will address these in chronological order, highlighting moments of continuity and disruption.

Course attendance is not mandatory. However, it is strongly encouraged, especially for those students without prior exposure to the study of architecture and design.

Visiting experts will deliver special lectures that will enrich what we have learned throughout the course with new points of view.

Finally, to foster participative discussions on course topics, classroom lessons may be accompanied by an exercise.

Assessment methods

The final exam will have a written, multiple-choice format. There will be 31 questions. In order to pass, students must earn at least 18 points.

Students who pass the exam can accept the grade and register it on the same day; they can refuse the grade and retake the exam at a later date; or they may ask to take an oral exam covering the same course material. In this last case, the written exam grade may be raised or lowered, depending upon the student’s preparation. Students will be notified of the date of the oral on the day of the written exam.

Concerning the optional oral exam, students able to communicate an organic vision of the topics discussed in lectures, and apply them critically, will receive excellent grades. Students who memorise course material but are unable to provide a clear synthesis and analysis of them, as well as those who employ correct but at times inappropriate language, will receive passing grades. Finally, students who have not learned the course contents or who use incorrect language (in the context of an introductory course) will not pass the exam. Gaps in knowledge, inappropriate language, and lack of familiarity with the recommended readings will all lead to failing grades.

 

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint and video. The slides we illustrate and comment on during lectures integrate the bibliography of readings with useful information and iconographic material. Students can download slides on the Virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Ines Tolic