History and Theory in Environmental Design and Planning
EDES 8010
4 hours
History and Theory in Environmental Design and Planning
Analytical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Course Description
Provides a critical perspective of the main theoretical
foundations, the history of the disciplines, and the evolution
of the built environment, all of this within the evolving
concept of “design.”
Athena Title
History and Theory in EDP
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will critically compare and the contrast the fundamental assumptions and contributions of the main schools of thought that have influenced the design and development of cities and regions in the modern era.
Students will critically assess the merits and limitations of the major theoretical schools of thoughts in urban and environmental design.
Students will critically and selectively apply the history and theory behind the ideas discussed in the class to the design and development of communities today.
Students will make informed choices about which theories would be useful in their own doctoral research.
Students will develop the capacity to pose an answerable question that could be used as the main research question of their future dissertations.
Students will produce and present a paper related to the topic of their future dissertations while building on the theories and histories explored in the class.
Topical Outline
1) Exploring the foundational questions: Why get a Ph.D.? What is a theory? What is history? What is design? What is the relationship between theory, history, and practice?
2) Exploring seminal readings in theory and history; analyzing major design theories with global impact.
3) Exploring how research questions are posed and answered in theory/history presentations.
4) Finding YOUR question and trying to answer it through student presentations and papers.
The course provides a critical perspective of the main theoretical foundations, the history of our disciplines, and the evolution of the built environment, all of this within the evolving concept of “design.” It starts with discussing why to pursue a Ph.D. It continues with exploring the role that history and theory play in the design of our built environments - and by the way, what is design? Is design derived from an individual agency (and which agency - professionals, practitioners, citizens?), or is it inescapably embedded into broader social and cultural realms? Is the history/theory of design simply the history/theory of the social world? What is the relationship between history/theory and practice? Is all practice based on theory/history?
We analyze various seminal readings, where authors propose a history of a theory or a theory of history in the design of urban forms. What questions are these authors, implicitly or explicitly, asking? How do their theories and histories translate into practice?
We review some of the major paradigms in the design of the built environment in the modern era. Fluency in these paradigms will help you find the theories and histories you need to build your own major contribution.
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
