Architectural Humanities 2 - Art, Architecture & Heritage: Exchange and Enquiries - YSA00001I
- Department: York School of Architecture
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2026-27
Module summary
This module runs for one semester and is designed to engage candidates with theoretical and intellectual enquiries in architecture that define current schools of thought and practice. It enables students to position themselves and the profession within key societal, cultural, ideological and philosophical transformations over classical and modern eras.
Professional requirements
Students studying this architecture degree will need to evidence a portfolio demonstrates a response to the RIBA themes and Values validation and that the course has 50% design components and 20% professional practice components
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2026-27 |
Module aims
This module is designed around building critical thinking and analysis of the role of architecture within society and how it is shaped by forces around it. This considered the socio-cultural, political and ideological contexts within which architects, builders and artists developed their ideas and philosophies towards buildings. This takes place through a programme that focuses on engagement with research and intellectual debates (lectures & Seminars) with contributions from related fields like art, history, culture, archaeology, nature, technology, philosophy, and planning. Those engagements will be organised around three key strands, typically covered through a block of two lectures and a Seminar, where 3-4 experts will be invited to share their knowledge and research within a student-led approach to research and enquiry.
Students will work on thematic research, investigation of case studies, studying certain schools of thoughts and link architects and projects to their societal, cultural and political contexts. Students will work in groups to investigate shared themes, and produce individual studies through extended written pieces/ essays, using architects as case studies (comprehensive research in architectural thoughts). Assessment based on portfolio of research, case studies and writings)
Module learning outcomes
By the end of this module, the student will be able to:
LO1_ Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of architecture in history, analysing the interconnections between architectural evolution and societal transformations
LO2_ Demonstrate a coherent understanding of architecture as intellectual, theoretical and practical endeavour, examining nuanced responses to natural, socio-cultural, and technological forces.
LO3_ Evaluate the evolution of architecture and urban regeneration practices and the role of communities, ideological and cultural forces in shaping them. within the UK and globally.
LO4_ Use visual, verbal and written techniques to demonstrate your critical thinking, ideas, and complex contextual understanding.
Module content
This module runs for one semester and is designed to engage candidates with theoretical and intellectual enquiries in architecture that define current schools of thought and practice. It enables students to position themselves and the profession within key societal, cultural, ideological and philosophical transformations over classical and modern eras.
- Art & Architecture in classical contexts: two lectures + One Seminar (3-4 speakers from different schools – art, history, archaeology)
- Modern architecture & cultural institutions: two lectures + One Seminar (3-4 speakers from different schools – Philosophy, ideology, political sciences, history)
- Architecture & The State: two lectures + One Seminar (3-4 speakers from different schools – Philosophy, ideology, political sciences, history)
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100.0 |
Special assessment rules
Non-compensatable
Additional assessment information
MULTIMEDIA ESSAY [100%]
The multimedia essay will be composed of a complete critical research work; the outcome will generally be composed of complementary connected elements, generally as follows (exact percentages will be clearly indicated by the assignment brief):
Research Tasks
-
The research progresses throughout the semester leading to essay definition in light of the delivered seminars); the presentation of this element will depend on the assignment brief. Examples of presentation may include: a short report, a paper/chapter analysis, a sketchbook, or a drawing panel.
[a made/drawn component is highly encouraged]
Essay
-
2500-3000 words (or equivalent)
[In the multimedia essay, architectural drawings and illustrations would compensate for word count, based on work quality.]
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100.0 |
Module feedback
The module is delivered as themed packages of lectures and seminars. For each theme, the students will be developing relevant research tasks. The research tasks will build up to define the students’ individual multimedia essay. The tasks will be clearly defined by the assignment brief, which will define key milestones throughout the semester for work progress review and provide the students with formative feedback and advice on the final multimedia essay submission.
The collective work will be submitted at the end of the semester.
Verbal and written formative feedback will be provided on interim submissions and a summative written feedback will be provided on the final submission of essay elements. The duration of feedback return will follow the University’s guidance.
Indicative reading
Arnold, D. (2002) Reading architectural history. London: Routledge.
Auge, M., (1995) Non-places: An introduction to Supermodernity. London: Verso.
Bird, J., Curtis,B., Putnam, T., Robertson, G., and Tickner, L. eds., (1993) Mapping the futures: Local cultures, global change. London: Routledge.
Bull, C., et al, eds. (2007) Cross-cultural urban design: Global or local practice? London: Routledge.
Groves, R., (2003) Neighbourhoods that work. London: Policy Press.
Hubbard, P., and Kitchin, R. ,(2009) Key thinkers on space and place, 2nd edition. California: Sage Publications.
Hausser, A., (1999) The social history of art. London: Routledge.
Norberg-Schulz, C., (1976) The phenomenon of place. Architectural Association Quarterly, 8 (4): 3-10.
Paddison, R., Ostendorf, W., McNeil, D., Tiesdell, S., eds. (2009) Urban Studies: Society.
London: Sage Publications.
Pevsner, N., (2002) Pevsner on art and architecture: the radio lectures. London: Methuen Publishing
Rossi, A., (1982) The Architecture of the city. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Rowe, C., and Koetter, F., (1984) Collage city. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Sennett, R., (1992) The conscience of the eye: The design and social life of cities. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
Smith, K. (2012) Introducing architectural theory: Debating a discipline. New York, NY: Routledge.
Tschumi, B., (1996) Architecture and disjunction. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Tuan, Y., (1977 reprinted 2001) Space and place: The perspective of experience. MA: University of Minnesota Press