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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
History and Theory 4: The City and Contemporary Architecture
Reference AC3014 Version 7
Created March 2023 SCQF Level SCQF 9
Approved July 2016 SCQF Points 15
Amended August 2023 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
To provide the student with an understanding of the variety and evolution of urban form and its relationship with the environment through history, and present day mechanisms for planning and developing sustainable cities.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Understand a range of key morphological and/or historical city-types, and explain their development in relation to their natural and cultural context.
2 Analyse a particular urban environment and discuss the key evolutionary moments in its development.
3 Understand key ideas of urban theory and planning, and identify main aspects affecting the sustainable development of contemporary cities.
4 Research and critically analyse complex architectural ideas through a structured piece of writing that confidently applies the conventions of academic writing.

Indicative Module Content
The module presents four different perspectives on the subject of urban settlements: a) The City in History: an historico-morphological survey of key city types and their main features; b) The City, Nature and Sustainability: an analysis of the relationship between city and nature, and its implications for sustainable development c) The City and its relationship to art and technology in society: to explain their development in relation to the natural and cultural context with an emphasis on cityscape as art of manifestation in built environment; public art as urban regenerator; factors affecting the sustainable development of a particular city such as spatial, social, and technological aspects of built environment; Introducing planning issues to inform community design process in contemporary urban development; d) The provision of Urban and Rural Planning in urban design: study of legislative and other dimensions at work in current planning processes. The module emphasizes writing (drawing and oral presentations to a lesser degree) as tools useful in understanding and describing the subject studied.

Module Delivery
This module is delivered by a blended learning approach focusing on directed student research, online activities, lectures and practical workshops. Lectures on various aspects of the development, sustainability and planning of the city introduce the broader picture. These are supplemented by tutorials and seminars intended to develop deeper understanding and self-directed learning.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 25 N/A
Non-Contact Hours 125 N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 N/A
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Examination Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4
Description: The exam is made up of a variety of question types that will include writing and drawing. Duration 2.5 hours

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
In order to pass the module students must achieve D or greater. A non submission will be given an NS grade
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
Additional bibliography presented in teaching plans and lectures.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 Haughton, Graham & Hunter, Colin Sustainable Cities (Regions, Cities & Public Policies) Routledge 2003
2 Le Gates, R.T. and Stout, F. (eds), The City Reader, 2nd Edition, Routledge, 1999
3 Birksted, J. (ed), Relating Landscape to Architecture, 1999, SPON
4 Murdoch, J. and Marsden, T., Reconstituting Rurality, 1996, UCL Press
5 Larice, M. and Macdonald, E. The Urban Design Reader, 2007, Routledge.
6 The City Reader - Blackwell and Routledge Series.
7 Cuthbert, A. R. Understanding Cities, 2011, Routledge.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781