ABB108 Spatial Histories
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ABB108 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | DYB114, UXB130, ABD108 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,356 |
| International unit fee | $4,896 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABB108 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | DYB114, UXB130, ABD108 |
| Coordinator: | Paul Donehue | p.donehue@qut.edu.au |
Overview
In this foundation 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:
- Describe and discuss the relevance and purpose of the study of history from a range of built environment disciplinary perspectives.
- Describe and critically evaluate the linkages between selected theoretical, social, and cultural historical exemplars and their influence on contemporary environments.
- Critically analyse sources and develop the capacity to communicate written responses and arguments.
- Demonstrate knowledge of global architectures, people, events, and histories.
Content
Topics covered in this unit include:
- historiography
- environments for human inhabitation
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
- spatial justice
- using chronologies and themes to identify the paradigm shifts within historical eras and periods
- selected global exemplars that have had significant impact on change including: cultural mores and customs, philosophy, spirituality/religions, politics, economics, science and technology
- academic writing conventions (introductory research skills and essay writing).
Learning Approaches
This unit adopts a blended-learning approach with resources and activities provided in the lecture, tutorials, and online. You will be expected to independently progress your learning between weekly classes through readings, participate in structured learning activities, and engage in constructive critique of each other's work, as led by teaching staff.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- in-class formative exercises, and trial exams.
- in-class review of ongoing assessment activities designed to scaffold the skills needed for successful completion of assessment tasks.
- marking of assessment tasks based on criteria referenced assessment sheets that will be provided at the beginning of semester, and which will also include comments and suggestions for improvement.
- feedback from teaching staff at completion of essays.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment in this unit will develop your understanding of historical concepts and effective communication through a workbook during semester and an end of semester examination.
The workbook.
Assuming the role of both leader and designer you will work to illustrate, describe, and research the evolution of a new city from its origins in pre-agricultural civilisation to a contemporary metropolis. Using historical evidence you will craft imaginative solutions to a series of problems and issues that your population will face in the form of weekly challenges. The cumulative responses to these challenges will go together to form a written and illustrated workbook the chronicles the manner in which you have guided the development of the city in order to respond to the needs of its people. The challenges will address various levels of scale, from and entire settlement, to individual structures, and down to the interior of rooms.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
The exam.
The exam will use a set of short answer questions to test your ability to retain and understand the material that is presented during the unit. This has a twofold purpose. The first is to help you to have the level of historical understanding necessary for any built environment professional, the second is to give you an opportunity to develop the skills to successfully negotiate exams during the rest of your course.
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: Workbook checkpoint
Assuming the role of both leader and designer you will work with a partner to illustrate and describe the evolution of a new city from its origins in pre-agricultural civilisation to a contemporary metropolis. Using historical evidence you will craft imaginative solutions to a series of problems and issues that your population will face in the form of weekly challenges. The cumulative responses to these challenges will go together to form a written and illustrated workbook the chronicles the manner in which you have guided the development of the city in order to respond to the needs of its people.
The checkpoint assessment will be used to provide feedback on the first three workbook exercises and help with the successful completion of the overall project.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Workbook final
Assuming the role of both leader and designer you will work with a partner to illustrate and describe the evolution of a new city from its origins in pre-agricultural civilisation to a contemporary metropolis. Using historical evidence you will craft imaginative solutions to a series of problems and issues that your population will face in the form of weekly challenges. The cumulative responses to these challenges will go together to form a written and illustrated workbook the chronicles the manner in which you have guided the development of the city in order to respond to the needs of its people.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions
Assessment: Exam
A short answer exam that is to be held in the central exam period. The exam will use short answer question to test your understanding of the content presented in the lectures and readings.
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.
Requirements to Study
Costs
Students will be required to hand in a physical copy of their workbook. The format will be discussed in the week one lecture.
Resources
There are no set texts for this unit; a range of readings and digital resources will be made available through the unit Canvas site.
Risk Assessment Statement
This unit is based in QUT teaching spaces, and as such there are no out of the ordinary risks or hazards. All students and staff are required to complete the FoE General Health and Safety Induction course for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online. QUT policy 'A/9.4 Children on campus' has been considered in development of this unit and its availability for START QUT.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)
- Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines and specialist knowledge and skills in one built environment area.
Relates to: Workbook checkpoint, Workbook final - Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Relates to: Workbook checkpoint, Workbook final - Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
Relates to: Workbook checkpoint, Workbook final - Plan, develop and complete research and other projects.
Relates to: Workbook checkpoint, Workbook final - Strategically collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communities, including First Nations peoples.
Relates to: Workbook checkpoint, Workbook final
AB05 Bachelor of Architectural Design
- Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills in architecture.
Relates to: Workbook checkpoint, Workbook final - Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative architectural solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Relates to: Workbook checkpoint, Workbook final - Communicate architectural knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
Relates to: Workbook checkpoint, Workbook final - Plan, develop and complete architectural research and projects.
Relates to: Workbook checkpoint, Workbook final - Strategically collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communities, including First Nations peoples, as architectural thinkers.
Relates to: Workbook checkpoint, Workbook final