8 ECTS credits
210 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4014954FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
This course aims at establishing the basic principles for a humanistic and culture-theoretical approach to the city considered as urban culture. The course delves into seminal texts from the traditions of 20th-century cultural theory in order to outline key principles that allow us to understand the city as urbanity, i.e. as a complex cultural phenomenon.
Three approaches are in focus:
1) that of a Copenhagen interdisciplinary research environment in architecture, sociology and the humanities (second half of the 20th century);
2) that of Paris thinkers and writers (from the 1970s); and
3) that of Berlin and critical theory (in the 1930s).
While the Copenhagen scholars focus on issues of “Perception and Lifeworld”, Paris intellectuals emplasize the importance of “Movements and Text”. Finally, prominent Berlin writers (Siegfried Kracauer and Walter Benjamin) explore the socio-cultural logics of “Spaces and Memory”. The course is informed by French literary and cultural scholar Roland Barthes who pointed out the essential roles of signification in the city – a realm that far too often is reduced to discourses of functionality.
Methods:
A course is being offered on problems and tendencies in the theory of cultural science. The course covers cultural phenomena as well as relevant cultural science academic texts, including method and theory texts.
The module aims to provide students with competences that enable them to reflect in a methodical and theoretical manner on problems in the subjects of urbanity and aesthetics, through analytical work with theoretical texts and cultural phenomena in the field.
For the examination, students:
• identify the significant, fundamental characteristics of a theoretical text in the subjects of urbanity and aesthetics, and communicate them in a lucid and intelligible oral form
• characterise methodical-theoretical principles and thesis-formation in relation to alternative points of view and in relation to specific material relevant to the subjects of urbanity and aesthetics
• adopt an independent critical position on theoretical views within the subjects of urbanity and aesthetics and their perspectives on cultural-science activity.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Attendance classes, active participation in classe
Oral Presentation
Written report
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Urban Studies: 4CITIES Classical track