History and Theory
Introduction Programme List of Participants
Call for the First EAAE-ENHSA Sub-network Workshop on Architectural Theory
Content and Methods of Teaching Architectural Theory in European Schools of Architecture
School of Architecture: Department of Architecture
Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg - Campus Diepenbeek
Association of the University of Hasselt
Belgium, 21-23 September 2006
This is the first sub-network workshop in the field of architectural theory. It therefore attempts to investigate and chart the various ways in which schools position courses dealing with this discipline in the curriculum. It wants to address history, contents, aims and objectives as well as the means, methods and pedagogic practices required to ensure expected learning outcomes and competences. As many European schools of architecture are faced with the challenge of establishing a more 'research based' curriculum and implementing plain research activity, the workshop will also want to deal with this aspect.
This first encounter will further act as a social platform for getting to know colleagues who share similar concerns. It is assumed that it will conclude with an agenda for consecutive encounters.
Teaching staff dealing with courses in architectural theory are invited to submit abstracts (no more than 500 words) by 15 March 2006. Authors of the selected abstracts will be asked to complete a full paper of c. 3000 words before 31 August. A poster session will also be organised. The abstract can address one, or several, of the following issues, which are organised in three groups
1. Contents
How does architectural theory profiles itself as a discipline in the BA-MA curriculum?
Section 1 The History of Architectural Theory and its Present Mission
This section contains contributions on the historical background of current courses in architectural theory. Do they stem from ‘architectural composition’ or from ‘architectural history’ or rather from ‘design methods’? Are they taught separately from history or from design methods, and why or why not? The session furthermore explores the basics and limits of the discipline with regards to the nature and importance of architectural theory in the formation of young architects.
Section 2 (Innovative) Approaches
In this section, schools can present their (innovative) approach towards architectural theory. Possible issues can be the desired relationship between architectural theory and architectural critique in the design studio. Another element is the function of architectural theory within the studio: is it taught independently or integrated within the studio? The session also focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of architectural theory and how this is dealt with in the curriculum.
2. Educational Model
Section 3 Pedagogical Aspects and Media
These contributions examine the pedagogical aspects of architectural theory. Central in this discussion is defining typical competences of the discipline. Parameters describing pedagogical aspects can relate to the methods of teaching, the instruments or means and the evaluation. The session also deals with the different media (such as texts, treatises, statistics, movies, visits to sites or museums, …) that can be relevant for teaching architectural theory. Contributions can examine the nature and quality of each medium and demonstrate this with a case-study.
3. Research
Section 4 Research and Design
This section can present specific and running doctoral research projects in which issues of architectural theory play an important role. This section also contains contributions that illustrate how architectural theory can become valuable for establishing research on studio level.
The Workshop will start in the late afternoon of Thursday September 21 with a key-note lecture and dinner. Friday and Saturday will be devoted to the four thematic sessions, with a concluding session late afternoon on Saturday. Information about accommodation and practical arrangements will follow later.
Please submit your abstract to KVanCleempoel@mail.phlimburg.be .
