Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Critical Thinking I

Critical Thinking I
5
7993
2
First semester
OB
ESARQ Module
Thought 1
Main language of instruction: English

Other languages of instruction: Spanish

Teaching staff


Daily after lectures

Introduction

As every labour, architectural and artistic activity involve the assumption of basic foundations from which the profession is conceived and the search for objectives that are considered good and for which the availability of adequate means is sought. The study of this process draws a vision of man that varies throughout history, influenced by the cultural conceptions of each era. The knowledge of the currents of thought in which this history takes place offers the possibility of clarifying the links between architecture and anthropology, giving rise to rethink in a more generic way who we are and, consequently, to define our purpose more accurately.

Pre-course requirements

  1. Participation in classroom 
  2. Capacity for dialogue and teamwork
  3. Weekly dedication to the revision of the texts proposed in class 
  4. Ability to relate to the rest of the class

Objectives

The objective of the subject is summarized in the acquisition or improvement of these skills: 
  1. To learn to question the value of what is being investigated. 
  2. To assess the importance of critical thinking about the apparently obvious, in order to acquire a more informed knowledge of the object of study. 
  3. To discover the visions of man that underlie human productions that we find in art, architecture or urbanism. 
  4. To dcquire one's own critical thinking on architectural issues supported by a greater knowledge of philosophical anthropology. 
  5. To learn to articulate and coherently express one's own opinions or ideas.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

BASIC

BC02. Students must know how to apply their knowledge professionally to their job or career and have the skills that usually demonstrated by writing and supporting their arguments, and problem-solving within their area of study.

BC03.Students need to be able to gather and interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) so that they can issue opinions that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical topics.

BC04. Students are able to convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

BC05. Students have developed the learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.

TRANSVERSE

TC01. To understand that it is proper to the university spirit to face in a critical and reflective way the study of one's own discipline in its connection with the rest of the knowledge.

TC02. Identify the most relevant questions of human existence present in the great religious, humanistic and scientific creations and adopt a reasoned personal stance towards them.

TC03. Discover and judge the anthropological presuppositions and ethical repercussions of the discipline itself.

GENERAL

GC01.Understand the history and theories of architecture and related arts, technologies and human sciences.

GC07. Understand the relationships between people and buildings, and between buildings and their environment, and the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to human needs and scale.

SPECIFIC

SC42. Ability to critique architecture.

SC49. Adequate knowledge of the general history of architecture.

EC64. Analyze and reflect on the components of the human personality (biological, affective, psychic, spiritual) and its relationship with architecture.

EC66. Know the shaping elements of today's society that interact in the field of architecture.

TRAINING ACTIVITYCOMPETENCESECTS CREDITS
Class exhibition
40 48 50 51 53 54 55 57 66 67 68 69 75 76 77 1,15
Clase practice
40 48 50 51 53 54 55 57 66 67 68 69 75 76 77 1,34
Individual or group study
40 48 50 51 53 54 55 57 66 67 68 69 75 76 77 2,5

Learning outcomes of the subject

The kernel of the targets of the subject will have been the competitions acquisition on the part of the students it will have to have done emphasis on the learning methods of the above mentioned competitions and on the procedures to evaluate it.

Syllabus

INTRODUCTION

1, What does it mean to be a university student? + Presentation of the course

FIRST PART

2. The classical heritage
3. Zoon logon and zoon politikon
4. Maedieval unitary picture. Workshop
5. The emergence of modernity
6. Fundamentals in the crisis of modernity in architecture
7. The scientific revolution: modernity in philosophy
8. Post war societies. Liquidity and instability: a broken imagen of human beings
9. Does postmodernity have a way out?

SECOND PART

10. From anthropology to architecture
11. Metaphysical animals: sensitivity
12. The head and the heart: rationality and emotions
13. The city and the zoon politikon
14. Looking for the person in art: back to transcendence
15. Intimacy and the person
16. On freedom and free will
17. Life: a balance between architecture and nature
18. Architecture as a service to others
19. De Amicitia
20. The pursuit of happiness
21. The problem of evil

Teaching and learning activities

In person



TRAINING ACTIVITYCOMPETENCESECTS CREDITS
Class exhibition
40 48 50 51 53 54 55 57 66 67 68 69 75 76 77 1,15
Clase practice
40 48 50 51 53 54 55 57 66 67 68 69 75 76 77 1,34
Individual or group study
40 48 50 51 53 54 55 57 66 67 68 69 75 76 77 2,5

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



25% exercise 1st

25% exercise 2nd

10% participation in work teams

40% final exam