Cathelijne Nuijsink: Katalogdaten im Frühjahrssemester 2023

NameFrau Dr. Cathelijne Nuijsink
Adresse
Geschichte u.Theorie d. Städtebaus
ETH Zürich, HIL D 70.7
Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5
8093 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
E-Mailcathelijne.nuijsink@gta.arch.ethz.ch
DepartementArchitektur
BeziehungDozentin

NummerTitelECTSUmfangDozierende
063-0804-23LHistory and Theory of Architecture VIII: Seen from the South2 KP2VC. Nuijsink, T. Avermaete
KurzbeschreibungThis course is a quest for non-Eurocentric paradigms and perspectives in urban theory developed in the South. By highlighting different urban logics and experiences, the course aims to broaden our understanding of the heterogeneity of urbanisms around the world.
LernzielUpon completion of the course, students will have:
(1) gained an awareness of why curriculum decolonisation is crucial as part of our commitment to justice;
(2) identified the existence of alternative canons of knowledge which have been previously marginalised or dismissed, yet whose inclusion and discussion are essential to expanding the canon;
(3) acquired in-depth knowledge of multiple urban theories developed in the South;
(4) learnt to contextualise non-Western histories and knowledge within the framework of imperialism, (neo)colonialism, and power structures;
(5) strengthened their analytical skills by engaging in in-class discussions and weekly responses.
InhaltOur understanding of how urban designers and architects can design cities is still largely affected by Western urban conditions and perspectives. The European city, in particular, with its steady and controlled growth, has served for a long time as the background against which new urban design methods and instruments are developed. As scholars who advocate a decentring and reframing of the widest conceptualisations of the urban have argued, urban design history is still based upon the dichotomy of “First World” model cities that generate new theories versus problematic “Third World” cities in need of correction. However, if our urban theorisations remain anchored in this Euro-American experience, we will be incapable of analysing and understanding the heterogeneity of urbanisms around the world.

This course sets out to overcome this asymmetrical ignorance by recalibrating the gaze. Course reading, lectures and in-class discussions centre around urban theories developed in cities in Latin-America, Africa and Asia to illustrate that urban design and urbanisation are not prerogatives of the Western world. The course will highlight alternative canons of knowledge which have been hitherto marginalised or dismissed because of (neo)colonial power structures, yet are crucial in understanding the design and production of cities. Through studying urban theories based on cities that develop according to other logics and generate different urban experiences, this course seeks to extend our knowledge of urban design, interrogate its assumptions, and enlarge our intellectual horizons to include a wider range of perspectives.
SkriptThis course is curated by senior staff of the Chair of the History and Theory of Urban Design (GTA), who will ensure a wide range of voices and perspectives are represented. The course will start with a series of input lectures by scholars whose work will bring fresh perspectives to the realm of urban theory. Each input lecture will be followed by a critical reflection and in-class discussion.

During the semester, students will work on the final assignment: writing a short biography of one protagonist whose work is discussed in class. Two sessions in the course are entirely dedicated to working on this assignment, acting as peer-review sessions in which students critically review each other's work.

'History and Theory of Architecture VIII: Seen from the South' is considered the first in a series. The focus of the required reading and the invited guests will change each year. The Spring 2023 course will explore the concept of “public space” in non-Western contexts.
LiteraturDuring this course different texts will be discussed. Both required and further reading will be made available via the website of the course prior to the start of FS2023.
Voraussetzungen / BesonderesThis course is a 2 ECTS Kernfach for Masters students offered by the Institute for the History and Theory of Architecture (GTA).


The course will be graded as follows:

Active participation in the course: 30%
Active participation in class is defined by weekly attendance, the ability to ask mature questions in response to the guest lectures, and the provision of constructive feedback to fellow students during workshop sessions.

Responses to reading: 30%
This course requires students to demonstrate active engagement with the urban theories offered on the course by submitting weekly responses to the required reading. In addition, each student will be asked to engage with further reading at least once during the semester, write a response to it, and contribute this additional knowledge to the class discussion.

Final assignment: 40%
The final group assignment consists of:
1. Writing a clear and concise biography of one of the protagonists discussed in class
2. The creation of a select bibliography of the protagonist's work using MLA citation format.
3. Locating a portrait image of the selected protagonist, and providing the photo credits.
KompetenzenKompetenzen
Fachspezifische KompetenzenKonzepte und Theoriengeprüft
Verfahren und Technologiengefördert
Methodenspezifische KompetenzenAnalytische Kompetenzengeprüft
Medien und digitale Technologiengefördert
Soziale KompetenzenKommunikationgeprüft
Kooperation und Teamarbeitgeprüft
Menschenführung und Verantwortunggeprüft
Sensibilität für Vielfalt geprüft
Verhandlunggeprüft
Persönliche KompetenzenAnpassung und Flexibilitätgefördert
Kreatives Denkengeprüft
Kritisches Denkengeprüft
Integrität und Arbeitsethikgeprüft
Selbststeuerung und Selbstmanagement geprüft