APL2001 : Alternative Practice: Theories and Practices
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Andrew Law
- Lecturer: Dr Abigail Schoneboom, Dr Diego Garcia Mejuto, Dr Christos Kakalis
- Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To critically explore, and gain knowledge and understanding of, theories underpinning alternative practices in architecture and planning.
To critique mainstream approaches to professional practice in the built environment.
To test theories of alternative practice in relation to ‘real world’ case studies.
To encourage the student to articulate a position in relation to the theoretical contexts of alternative practice in architecture and planning.
Outline Of Syllabus
Review of critical theories pertaining to architecture and planning, to include: Marxist and neo-Marxist approaches (for example, Harvey), pragmatist approaches (Rorty), Poststructuralist approaches (for example Foucault; Derrida), postcolonial theories, (Fanon, Said and Bhabba), theories of democracy and their application (for example, participatory design, collaborative planning and community architecture), alternatives to market-centred interventions- mutualism, co-operatives etc.; professionalism and anti-professionalism (for example, Jacobs, Till); and ideas of rights, including rights to the city. Each theme will be illustrated with case study approaches from practice.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Introductory online ReCAP/video (15-30 mins) Activity: familiarise yourself with the module handboo |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Key reading tasks to accompany the short recordings (above) and the guided independent study |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | Essay (100% weighting) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | PIP lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 10 | 3:00 | 30:00 | 9 x 3 hour Guided independent study (themed reading and/or visual resources to support lecture topic |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Consolidating learning through in-depth discussion and problem solving activities. PIP |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Personal surgeries. PIP |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Student peer group reading and assessment discussion (mutual support group) – students will meet. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Surgery PIP |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 49:00 | 49:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Q & A session run over a day in a seminar room (PIP) |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The Structured Guided Learning Activities provide a detailed explanation of the key issues and an examination of important literature. The Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities provide support for discussions about the application of the techniques to planning issues. The Guided Independent Study will enable students to both achieve the intended knowledge and skills outcomes identified for the module, as well as enabling to help them prepare for the creation of their assessment submission. This MOF is based on a blended learning approach and includes a mixture of online learning and present in person (PiP) provision
The module will include 11 lectures which will provide an overview of the key issues and theories along with relevant case studies.
These lectures and podcasts will provide the starting place for the teaching scaffold. Firstly, after attending the lectures or watching the pre-recorded ‘lecture’ podcats, students will then be asked to engage with
a) 3 hours of Guided independent study – involving reading and/or visual materials
b) And a 2-hour reading task on their own
As well as the lectures/podcasts and the associated reading, (including the individual and group reading tasks) students will then take part in a series of PiP workshops. These workshops provide structured discussion of particular issues through a mixture of small-group tasks and plenary discussion.
From the lectures/podcasts, through the reading tasks and the workshops students will be able to scaffold their learning. The workshops in particular will allow students to apply what they have learnt in the lectures/podcasts (and guided independent study) to contemporary issues within town planning and architecture.
Q and A sessions and drop in surgery sessions will be available throughout the course so that students can gain easy access to a tutor.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 100 | 3500 word essay |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities provide support for discussions about the application of the techniques to planning issues. The Guided Independent Study will enable students to both achieve the intended knowledge and skills outcomes identified for the module, as well as enabling to help them prepare for the creation of their assessment submission.
There is one assessments for this module. This a 3500 essay which will test the students’ ability to assemble and synthesize appropriate information to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of alternative practice theory in architecture and planning.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- APL2001's Timetable