Architectural Theory & Contemporary Issues

This graduate seminar explores important writings and ideas being discussed in architecture today in relation to “Design Ethics,” one of the central pedagogies of the school and the M.Arch program. Theory is framed not primarily as design principle, but as a critical framing device to investigate the dominant forces and paradigms engaging architecture today in the academy, the profession and the community. Architecture is considered as both material technology and social agenda, a driver of inequality but also potentially a social justice machine, a high-tech, economic, ecological and political change-agent. The focus is on current discourses, processes and contexts rather than on the history of theory or the latest buildings or architects.

The seminar examines a different theme each week, with topics that vary annually to acknowledge the dynamic nature of the profession, environment and global contexts. The work of the seminar focuses on readings, weekly presentations and discussions about the sources. For additional units, students may elect to do a research paper on a theoretical aspect of architecture that connects to the co-requisite course 48-620 – Graduate Seminar: Situating Research and might lead to a thesis or grant proposal.