Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0241 - Designing for Life

This two-semester course, with an integrated Jan-term field component in Thailand, investigates the intersections of design (building and land use), anthropology/social justice, and ecology, with a focus on a case study in Northern Thailand. The fall semester will build background and theoretical knowledge in these areas generally and our case study in Thailand specifically. Students will critically examine ways in which design is influenced by cultural, historical, and ecological factors. They will learn about social justice issues in Southeast Asia that are impacted by structural forms of agriculture, climate change, economics, and social structure. How can architectural and land use design empower rural peoples? What does resilience look like for rural farmers who face significant economic, social, and ecological change? Over January, selected students will accompany the faculty to our field site in Northern Thailand for primary research. Second semester will be project based with students working in interdisciplinary teams of anthropology/ecology/architecture students. Instructor permission required, with prerequisites for architecture students and a background in either Asian studies, ethnographic methods, and/or ecology for other students.

Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Prerequisite: Architecture students have a prerequisite. Non-architecture student should have a background in either Asian Studies, Ethnographic Methods, and/or Ecology. Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time