SLU news

New PhD course: Criticality in Research/Criticality as Praxis

Published: 26 October 2021

SLU Urban Futures invites you to apply for the “Criticality in Research/Criticality as Praxis” course, which will take place during Spring 2022 (In person core seminar, Berlin, 4-7 April, 2022 / on-line paper presentation session, end of May final date TBD).

The course aims to strengthen awareness of the variety of critical theory and practice models available to academic and professional actors in the landscape field. Setting a landscape focus guarantees a shared arena for the coursework, making it easier to recognize how diverse knowledge-creation practices (including but not limited to design) generate understanding and contribute to the evolution of landscape-relevant discourse and action.
The course is suitable for researchers from all disciplines concerned with the constructed urban landscape (design, planning, environmental science, sustainability studies, landscape architecture, urban history, heritage, ecology, architecture, etc.). It offers students these learning outcomes: how to develop an understanding of the concept of “criticality” through reading and group discussion of theoretical literature; how to critically reflect on their own working research praxis and assess how it shapes their capacity to forward critical positions in their work; how to engage in guided peer feedback to constructively comment upon and refine research aims; how to articulate, elaborate and integrate critical thinking in their PhD related research practice; how to use rhetorical and critical précis tools to support quality research."

Facts:

Dates and venue:
4-7 April 2022 in person core seminar, Metropolenhaus, Berlin / on-line paper presentation session, end of May 2022 (final date TBD, webinar on zoom)

Open to:
PhD students (registered or applicants) in fields concerned with urban landscape futures (design, planning, environmental science, landscape architecture, architecture, urban history, ecology, architecture, sustainability studies etc.)

Course responsibles:
Lisa Diedrich, Prof. of Landscape Architecture/Director, SLU Urban Futures
Andrea Kahn, SLU Urban Futures / SLU Landscape, designCONTENT

Course assistant:
Sonia Curnier, SLU Urban Futures / Post-doc Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

Guest lecturers:
Thaïsa Way, Director of Studies, Garden & Landscape Studies, Dumbarton Oaks / Prof. University of Washington
Benita Braun-Feldweg, bf studio-architekten, Berlin / Metropolenhaus designer + developer

Language:
English

Credits:
7.5 ECTS