Elective Course
Credits: 3-0-3 (3 semester hours)
Type of Course: Seminar
Instructors: Craig M. Zimring
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
Course Overview: Architecture, Culture & Behavior is a growing field that applies research to understanding the relationships of the design of buildings and cities to individual, organizational and social health, experience and effectiveness. While the field has been active since the 1960s, it has recently received increased attention through a focus on healthy environments and physical activity, exploring the relationship of design to new ways of working and living, and other issues. This course is intended for students who anticipate conducting or using research in ACB and focuses both on research content and skills.
Learning Objectives: The focus of this course is to develop an understanding of the links between theory, models of research and methods in Architecture, Culture & Behavior. Each week we will examine:
- A current research ACB research project;
- An emerging topic in ACB such as environmental cognition, the links between environment and health, the role of the physical environment in physical activity, the links between design and new ways of working;
- A method of inquiry.
Course Requirements:
Class requirements include:
- Attendance, participation and keeping up with the readings
-Occasional papers
-A term paper-good draft due Nov 10; final draft due Dec 1
-One journal club presentation
-One 45-minute lecture to the class; topic to be negotiated. This lecture will be a topical lecture in that you are teaching a class on a topic rather than providing an update on your work. Provide the class 2-3 readings at least one week before
Readings:
- Inquiry by Design: Environment/Behavior/Neuroscience in Architecture, Interiors, Landscape, and Planning, Updated and Revised Edition (Paperback) by John Zeisel, John P. Eberhard (Foreword)