ABD108 Spatial Histories

Unit Outline: College Summer 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

In this unit you will be introduced to the history of the built environment through the study of global architectures across a wide range of cultures throughout past millennia.  The unit will introduce you to the importance of the specific contributions made by architecture, interior design , landscape architecture and urban and regional planning to the global understanding of spatial histories. Through engaging with lectures that introduce you to key concepts, and tutorials that will develop your skills in writing and critical thinking, you will become familiar with the critical moments and paradigm shifts of the built environment through global perspectives and spatial justice theories. This unit provides the foundation from which you will continue to develop an understanding of yourself as a participant in the continuum of the rich cultural tradition of designing and making places for human inhabitation.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Describe and discuss the relevance and purpose of the study of history from a range of built environment disciplinary perspectives.
2. Describe and critically evaluate the linkages between selected theoretical, social, and cultural historical exemplars and their influence on contemporary environments.
3. Critically analyse sources and develop the capacity to communicate written responses and arguments.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of global architectures, people, events, and histories.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit takes a blended approach to learning and teaching. Learning activities will include weekly self-directed eContent that is supported by your active participation in scheduled classes which could include studio-based and classroom-based activities. Your eContent could include videos, readings, self-reflection and/or peer activities designed to enhance your learning experience. During your weekly classes you will further explore the key concepts in a collaborative environment where your voice is valued. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with unit resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content. 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback on your progress in this unit will be provided in various ways, including:

• general comments provided verbally in class 
• feedback from peers in your tutorials
• general comments provided via the unit's Canvas website
• comments about individual progress included on criteria sheets for summative assessment

Assessment

Overview

There are 2 items of assessment in this unit: a case study and an examination. Assessment expectations will be provided through criteria referenced assessment (CRA) sheets that are derived from the unit learning outcomes listed above. These expectations will also be discussed during lectures and tutorial activities. Teaching activities at key times through the semester will provide guidance and feedback on assessment tasks and the opportunity for students to ask questions about how assessment expectations are structured and applied.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case study

This task requires you to respond to a given real-world scenario relating to and arising from the unit content. The task has two parts:

• For Part A (40%) you will develop a written response to the scenario using Gen AI CoPilot platform to research, analyse and synthesize the information that you have sourced. Your written response will be accompanied by a Critical Analysis Table that documents your Gen AI research.
• For Part B (20%) you will present a critical reflection on what you have learned to an audience of your peers.   

Part A of this assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Examination

Short answer examination to identify your knowledge of global architectures, people, events and history.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.