(Left) Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Mexico City, 2006. (Right) American Progress, John Gast, 1872.

ARC3325H F
Instructor: Mary Louise Lobsinger
Meeting Section: L9101
Synchronous
Wednesday, 6:00PM - 9:00PM

In this seminar we will examine the concept of architecture as medium and the ways in which design participates in the making of a global imaginary. Thinking architecture as medium shifts our focus from purely formal aesthetic attributes to consider the infrastructural dynamic within which architecture participates. It asks that we set aside received histories of modernism and modernity to delve into a systemic analysis that tracks the technical, social, political and material techniques that produce a global imaginary. In the 19th century the idea of a world system was pursued through techniques, technical inventions, and attempts at universal systems that aligned with imperialist aspirations to empire. Given this, we will be attentive to questions of land and bodies, of the techniques and infrastructures that underpin resource and labour extraction, racialization and the making of the modern self-possessed subject within the global imaginary.

In this seminar we will look at institutions and programs, for example, the university and education, the library and the storage of certain kinds of knowledge, the exportation of planning agendas across the globe, at various scales and types of evidence, documents, electronic forms, built and unbuilt projects. We will read seminal texts and draw upon methods of inquiry beginning with media theory, cultural techniques analysis, globalism, and political economy. The course delivery will be synchronous with some asynchronous elements. Every student will be responsible for presenting a critical explanation of one weekly reading. They will contribute to the weekly in-class breakout group sessions, prepare an annotated bibliography, and enthusiastically pursue a research project.

For further information contact Professor Mary Lou Lobsinger at: marylou.lobsinger@daniels.utoronto.ca