Architect Geoffrey Jellicoe once remarked that “architecture is to make us know and remember who we are.” We construct our individual and social identities by constructing the physical world around us. Prisons, asylums, theme parks, cities — our body politic is reflected in our buildings. To examine the landscape of our world is to examine the landscape of our culture. In architecture, the word "architectonic" refers to that which has the qualities of architecture. In philosophy, the word refers to the notion that philosophical knowledge can be schematized and organized in a systematic fashion.
Architectonic Shifts traces our efforts to construct our social reality through the metaphor of architecture. Our first unit, “Glass Houses,” looks at how we use physical space (especially the concept of "home") to isolate others in order to define ourselves. Our second unit, “Cities of the Plain," looks at the tension between individuals and the urban collectives that shape their identities. Our third unit, “Great Big Beautiful Tomorrows,” traces a century of theme parks and world's fairs that capture the utopian ideals of the cultures that built them.
Your grade will consist of three factors:
1. Written Work: 60% of your grade will be based on three take-home essay tests (20% each, obviously). Each test will allow you to demonstrate your grasp of the philosophical and cultural issues at stake in popular culture. The purpose of these essays is to develop your ability to perform a sustained critical argument, supported with close textual analysis. These tests should be typed and documented in MLA format. No secondary sources are permitted. Plagiarism will result in automatic failure for the course (a grade of FF under the guidelines for Academic Dishonesty) and possible disciplinary action. Please consult the Student Resources section for information regarding plagiarism and related writing issues.
Because the class only meets once a week and a good deal of reading and preparation are required for each session, I also strongly recommend (but do not require) for your benefit that you keep a reading journal for the class. This will help you prepare for the required class discussion and upcoming writing exercises by analyzing and assessing the key components of the texts you are reading. The guidelines in “What Is a Reading Journal?” and “How to Analyze Visual Media” are a good general approach for most texts.
2. Short Story Workshop (20%): One class session will consist of an in-class collaborative project using short stories that will be distributed prior to the session. The details of this workshop will be discussed shortly beforehand. You will be evaluated on group participation and your ability to critically evaluate the assigned material in the classroom and in writing.
3. Class Participation (20%): Because this class is designed to develop your critical thinking skills through practice, participation in the class discussion is crucial. I will also sometimes provide “key questions,” designed to spur such discussions and which you should answer (typed, about one page) and submit the following class session. Participation in the class discussion is the primary component of this grade, but fruitful class participation cannot happen without your regular attendance. There are no excused absences (apart from documented medical ones), nor is late arrival to class welcome, as it disrupts the discussion already underway. An excessive number of absences (more than two) for any reason or excessive tardiness will affect your course grade as a whole. Late work may be penalized or refused at my discretion. If you do not feel that you are willing or able to keep up with the reading, attend class each week, and participate in discussion, you should consider withdrawing from the course. Miss class at your own risk.
The novel Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi is required for the course. Since this book is in the public domain, it is offered free on this website through the link below. You may also purchase an unabridged copy from the USF bookstore, most major bookstores, or online. Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom is available for free download through a Creative Commons license. (Copies have also been ordered for the bookstore.) Other formats are available directly from Cory Doctorow.
In addition, the films Monty Python's Life of Brian, Fight Club, AI: Artificial Intelligence, and an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation will be screened and discussed in class. For reference purposes, you may consult draft scripts for these films available through the links and buttons above. Screenplay links can also be found in the course schedule. Please note that since these are draft screenplays, certain details may differ from the final versions of the films as screened in class. PDF files must be read using the free Adobe Reader.
Notice: This exit-level course may contain adult content, including discussions of politics, controversial social issues, violence, sexuality, and adult situations.