ALD41000HF
Instructor: John Harwood
Meeting Section: L0101
Tuesdays 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

This course is intended to introduce advanced students of architecture to the theories of political economy that underpin important modern conceptions of how architecture and its history should be understood. Topics to be covered will include: (neo)classical economics, utopian socialism, Marxism, corporate paternalism, liberalism, post-colonialism, anarchism, libertarianism, and neo-liberalism. 

In each class session, we will explore both primary texts of political economy and benchmark works of architectural history and theory, seeking to understand how major thinkers in architecture have founded their ideas about architecture’s past, present, and future in a priori intellectual commitments regarding the real and ideal structures of “society.” Readings will include formal works of political economy, architectural history and theory, and popular literature.

This course is intended to be accessible to MARC students. Readings and other assignments will be calibrated to accommodate the needs of both MARC and Ph.D students.