AD239V Architecture and Gender: Studio 7.5 credits

During the course we will, in the form of a project, study contemporary feminist theory and investigate how building and other built structures relate to it. We will deal with feminist critique of the culture of architecture and its relation to sexuality, ethnicity and class and as an upholding force for normative power structures.The course deals with a series of concepts: body, materiality, subjectivity, space etc, which are treated in relation to architecture. The course focuses on the relation between space and body (bodies). By an intervention, we investigate body, space and site in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes.

Through working with architecture projects, the course aims at developing tools for feminist interpretation of architecture and in an extended sense create new architecture.

On completing the coure, the student has

• developed new tools and methods to identify, critically analyze and suggest projects that will change normative and excluding notions and practices within architecture and design.
• been trained to identify, critically analyze and redefine normative/excluding notions, situationer and practices in the physical environment through architectonic exercises and assignments.
• discovered new possibilities to connect research and practice.

University studies of 60 cr (hp) and documented proficiency in English B or equivalent.

Ahmed, Sara, ‘Orientations: Toward a Queer Phenomenology,’ GLQ, 12:4, Duke University Press, 2006. (utdrag- sidor 557-560)

Gender Space Architecture, av Jane Rendell, Barabara Penner, Ian Borden, London: Routledge, 2000. Specifika läsningar meddelas vid kursstart.

Ian, Marcia, ‘When is a Body Not a Body? When It’s a Building,’ Joel Sanders, ed., Stud – Architectures of Masculinity, Princeton: Princeton Architectural Press, 1996, 189-205.

Martin, Biddy & Chandra Talpade Mohanty, ‘Feminist Politics: What’s Home Got to Do with It?,’ Teresa de Lauretis, ed., Feminist Studies/Critical Studies, Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1986, 191-212. (utdrag- sidor 195-197, 200-205 Scenario 2)

Pratt, Minnie Bruce, ‘Identity: Skin Blood Heart,’ Elly Bulkin, Barbara Smith and Minnie Bruce Pratt, Yours in Struggle: three feminist perspectives on anti-semitism and racism, New York: Long Haul Press, 1984, 11-63. (utdrag- sidor 16-19)

Further readings will be announced at the beginning of the course.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• MOM1 - Active Participation 80%, 2.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• MOM2 - Assignment, 2.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• MOM3 - Design Project, 2.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The course is examined continually through participation on seminars and documentation/presentation at final presentation.

A student who is absent on more than 2 seminars will have to make a short extra assignment. Absence on more than 3 seminars will require the whole course to be repeated.

Requirements for final grade:

• Presence at least 80%
• Participation on all seminars
• Documentation and presentation for final presentation

Per Fransson

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The course is directed towards a broadly defined feminist target group: for instance students of architecture, planning, design and art, professionals within these fields as well as those in other fields who are interested in architecture.