Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Recent developments in digital media and biotechnology, cultural hybridisation, and new attitudes to the body and sexuality challenge our notion of what it means to be 'human.' Since the Enlightenment, 'man' has been considered a rational, progressive being conquering nature and claiming the right to liberty. However, this also involved 'human exclusivism'. Women, non-white races, people of alternative sexual orientation, the elderly, as well as other natural species were not included in the definition of 'man' and thus regarded as irrational, biologically inferior, and in need of governance. Today the boundaries between ‘man' and ‘non-man' are more porous and human exclusivism is giving way to posthumanist inclusivity. What are the implications of this for architecture? How do changing notions of gender impact the design of the single family home? What are the consequences of the new understanding of ageing for the design of elderly homes and public space? How do we accommodate alternative sexualities in design? What does the workspace look like if it is designed for ‘cyborgs'—hybrids of human and machine? What should migrant neighbourhoods look like? How does the notion of ‘style' change in a multicultural context? How do we articulate our relationship with ‘companion species' in the design of labs, natural reserves, zoos, or spaces for pets? How do posthumanist subjects find their voice in urban spaces? These are the issues explored.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) gain insight into politics of race, gender, age, sexuality, and technology, as well as the philosophy of the posthuman, with its main concepts and theories; (2) examine political and ethical issues of the posthuman age and assess their implication for design; and (3) select a posthuman ‘species' and develop their own architectural proposition which will accommodate it.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) mid-semester quiz and (2) final essay (5000 words). Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Assistant Professor Tijana Vujosevic
- Contact hours
- seminars: 3 hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.