PLSD
2010
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Fall 2011
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Faculty:
Matthew Bissen
How we engage the environment influences our understanding of that reality. Consequently, to design within our environment is an act of designing a method of engagement. This course poses the following question: How do designers situate themselves to best perceive our complex urban landscape and develop methods to translate this perception into conceiving our cities anew? This exploratory seminar (focused in research, urban exploration and methodology development) is structured to approach the ideas of perception and design along two intersecting tracks creating a dialog between theory and direct urban engagement. Track 1 develops foundational theory on environmental perception from sources, such as Thoreau, Jacobs, de Certeau, Ponty and Debord. Track 2 moves the class directly into New York City to physically explore and situate us as designers via different physical, temporal, media, technology, and power relationships to test the courses theoretical framework. Ultimately, the course challenges us to critically understand how we situate ourselves as designers, critically understand the city, and utilize this understanding to shape our future. Pathway: Spatial Design Studies
