IAHIS 3140 Architecture and Power
Architecture is not merely a utilitarian form of shelter. It also serves as a visible representation of power within a society. The pyramids in Egypt, for example, were intended to convey the power and authority of the Pharaohs. In this course, students will explore how architectural structures engender and magnify power across diverse cultures and historic periods. Towards this end, students will consider the following questions: How has architecture served as an instrument of domination and control in different contexts? How do architectural monuments enforce various modes of social, political and cultural power? How do built environments effectively regulate our actions and behaviors? What does contemporary architecture say about the nature of power and privilege today?