Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: History Western Architecture 20th Century

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ARCH1026

City Campus

Undergraduate

315H Architecture & Design

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013

ARCH1026

City Campus

Undergraduate

320H Architecture & Urban Design

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Anna Johnson

Course Coordinator Phone: Contact via email

Course Coordinator Email: anna.johnson@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: Contact via email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study 

While there is no required prior study it is recommended that you satisfactorily completed ARCH 1023 - Architecture History 1 before you commence this course. 

Under special circumstances you may be able to undertake this course prior to completing ARCH 1023 – please contact to the program manager. 

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.  

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. 


Course Description

The aim of this course is to introduce you to architects, movements, theories and design practices of 20th century architecture. The course addresses the diversity of modernism in the early 20th century and revisions of modernist practices in the mid to late 20th century, including post-modernism, regionalism and globilisation. It will focus on the relevance of 20th century theoretical and design precedent to contemporary architectural practices, concerns and debates. Specific issues include questions of cultural and urban identity in the context of globalization, debates around the role of theory and design discourses, the shifting role of technology, and influential precedent design practices and procedures.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes: 

  • critically analyse, evaluate and make informed judgement on a wide range of architectural problems and situations 
  • comprehend key architectural works, cultural movements and ideas, their theoretical and cultural context and relevance to design 
  • communicate complex design ideas through verbal, visual and written means 


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  1. undertake academic writing communication with developed skills. 
  2. undertake research into architectural precedent practices with developed skills. 
  3. engage in critical and analytical thinking with developed skills. 
  4. present verbal and visual arguments clearly and concisely with developed skills. 


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities include:

  • the attendance of a weekly lecture series
  • weekly analytical and design precedent diagramming and other interpretative architectural representations with critical written annotation
  • weekly tutorial discussion and debate
  • the presentation and subsequent submission of a class paper responding to one of the weekly lecture topics
  • the writing of an extended critical essay responding to the course topics that may include case study precedent analysis and a consideration of the relevance of past 20th century architectural precedent to contemporary architectural practices and debates.


Overview of Learning Resources

This course is primarily delivered face-to-face via lectures and tutorials and Canvas. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

To access the online resources you need to connect to the RMIT Learner Hub Server at www.rmit.edu.au/learninghub 

Course materials are available online via Canvas. This includes: 

  • Course assignments (assessment tasks) 
  • required and recommended reading lists 
  • references to key projects discussed in the lectures 
  • links to relevant online websites and resources 

The University library has extensive resources for architecture students. The library has produced a subject guide that quality online and print resources for your studies. 

Library Architecture resources are available online at http://rmit.libguides.com/architecture 

The library provides guides on academic referenceing http:///www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing. 

  

Required and recommended readings are available on Reserve in the RMIT Library. 

Course Guides are available through the RMIT website, with links provided on Canvas. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the courses Learning Outcomes and on your development against the Program Capabilities. 

Assessments will primarily involve written submissions of varying lengths to give you opportunities to trial and develop a range of critical and analytical writing and representational skills and gain experience at researching and discussing arguments relevant to an enhanced understanding of architectural precedent and the history of architectural ideas and debates in the periods covered by the course. 

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1: Presentation and Essay, 15% CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4 

Assessment Task 2: Folio, 35% CLOs 2, 3 & 4 

Assessment Task 3: Essay, 50% CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.