Sem 04 / Culture Studies
Spatial Theory

This course introduces various frameworks of spatial thinking and orientates students towards an understanding of space, historically and phenomenologically. Concepts and frameworks introduced include Typology, Phenomenology, Semiotics, Affordances, Modernity, Regionalism, Gendering, Difference. Students are introduced to a plethora of projects in South Asia and the rest of the globe and are asked to critically analyse the works using these frameworks. In addition methods of diagramming are introduced so that students are able to analyse architecture beyond textual descriptions to understand questions of scale, proportions, movement, materials and how they shape behaviour and experience.

The humanities course asks them to move beyond secondary material to analyse their own houses and neighbourhoods using these frameworks, critically. Terms such as spatial justice, affordances are used to evaluate their own inhabitations and make them attuned to how contemporary spaces can be shaped through a critical discourse.

Student writing samples can be found here.