4.657

Design: The History of Making Things

Examines themes in the history of design, with emphasis on Euro-American theory and practice in their global contexts. Addresses the historical design of communications, objects, and environments as meaningful processes of decision-making, adaptation, and innovation. Critically assesses the dynamic interaction of design with politics, economics, technology, and culture in the past and at present. 

4.657 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)

T.A.
Spring
2023
5-0-7
U
Schedule
TR 2-3:30
Recitation 1: W 10-11
Recitation 2: F 10-11
Location
Lecture: 3-133
Recitation 1: 5-216
Recitation 2: 5-231
Required Of
BSAD, A minor
Restricted Elective
BSA, Design Minor
Enrollment
Limited to 36
HASS
A
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.654

Media Theory

This class is a pre-approved HTC restricted elective for Spring 2023.

Examines historical positions in what has been known as "media theory," engaging the tensions that vex current modes of production. Explores the broad panoply of bottom-up media content generation in its confrontation with proprietary media platforms, and measures contemporary digital narrative forms against the expanded cinematic theories of the past. Discussions focus on how the rich literature of media theory might accommodate gaming, XR, interactive immersive installations, and other contemporary phantasmagoria.

4.654 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)

T.A.
Spring
2023
3-0-6
G
3-0-9
G
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
5-216
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.645

Selected Topics in Architecture — 1750 to the Present

General study of modern architecture as a response to important technological, cultural, environmental, aesthetic, and theoretical challenges after the European Enlightenment. Focus on the theoretical, historiographic, and design approaches to architectural problems encountered in the age of industrial and post-industrial expansion across the globe, with specific attention to the dominance of European modernism in setting the agenda for the discourse of a global modernity at large. Explores modern architectural history through thematic exposition rather than as simple chronological succession of ideas.

4.645 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)

T.A.
Spring
2023
3-0-6
G
Schedule
MW 11-12:30
Location
5-234
Prerequisites
4.210 or permission of instructor
Required Of
MArch
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.605
4.650

A Global History of Architecture

Provides an outline of the history of architecture and urbanism from ancient times to the early modern period. Analyzes buildings as the products of culture and in relation to the special problems of architectural design. Stresses the geopolitical context of buildings and in the process familiarizes students with buildings, sites and cities from around the world.

Additional work required of graduate students.

4.605/4.650 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)

T.A.
Spring
2023
4-0-8
U/G
Schedule
Lecture: MW 11-12:30
Recitation 1: W 10-11
Recitation 2: F 12-1
Location
Lecture: 3-133
Recitation 1: 3-329
Recitation 2: 5-216
Prerequisites
None
Required Of
BSA
Restricted Elective
BSA, Arch Minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
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