ASSIGNMENT #1

"DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION AND PRACTICE"

TODAY IN CLASS

1. Divide up into groups of 3 to 4. Appoint one person as notetaker, another as spokesperson. Review the chart from p. 12 of Designing for Diversity. Write 2 short paragraphs stating your interpretation of this data.

a) In the first paragraph, assume you are a staff member of the American Institute of Architects being interviewed by a reporter at Time Magazine. Your job requires that you paint as favorable a picture as possible for the reporter, so as to enhance the image of the profession to the public.

b) In the second paragraph, assume you are a female or person of color (or both) who has just decided to give up on being an architect. Reading these statistics was the "straw that broke the camel's back." Your audience is your mother. Use these statistics to explain why you are dropping out of the field.

 

ASSIGNMENT #2

"SEXISM, RACISM, HOMOPHOBIA "

DUE: _________________________

1. Write a short paragraph describing what the terms "sexism," "racism," and "homophobia" mean to you. Cite a specific example of each.

Bring into class at least one published article appearing in any recent newspaper, magazine, publication, or web site that addresses gender, racial, or sexual orientation issues. Xerox the article and write directly on it the title of the publication, the volume and number, date, and pages. If a web site - the full web address, title of site, and date visited. If a newspaper, cite Section and page numbers as well.

Type up a paragraph summarizing its contents in your own words and explaining how this article relates to your own experiences as a student, or the experiences of others you know. Be prepared to discuss in class.

2. Begin the readings list under Week 1 in Course Calendar. Be prepared to discuss in class.

 

ASSIGNMENT #3

"REST ROOMS: GENDER ISSUES"

Your Name: ___________________ Your Team # and building:
Due: ___________________

Divide up into teams. Male students must split up in different groups. Appoint 1 spokesperson for the group to summarize your visits in class.

Team #1 - Temple Buell Hall
Team #2 - Architecture Building
Team #3 - Flagg Hall
Team #4 - Main Library (especially first floor entryway)
Team #5 - David Kinley Hall

*Answer the following questions:

1) How many men's and women's restrooms are in your building?
2) Where are they located?
3) Select one restroom each in your building: one women's and one men's. Briefly sketch its design.
4) What, if anything, do the #, location, and design of these restrooms say about gender issues? Do you see any potential problems? If so, what?
*Note Other good places to study this issue are: the Memorial Stadium and the Assembly Hall.

 

ASSIGNMENT #4

"LEADING SEMINAR DISCUSSIONS"

DUE DATE: AS ASSIGNED

You will be asked to lead a seminar discussion. Depending upon class size, you will likely work on this assignment with one other student. Seminar discussions will take place throughout the semester and dates will be assigned shortly.

Carefully review all required readings listed for your topic, and if the list is thin, feel free to add more. Summarize key points in as creative, entertaining, and informative a way as you can.

Prepare a handout that includes:

1) a summary of your topic
2) 2-3 discussion questions to engage the class in your material
3) a bibliography listing all sources consulted along with their complete publication information: author, title, place of publication, publisher, year, page #s. Web sites must include author, title, full URL, and date consulted. See course outline as a guideline for format.

Your handout should be a maximum of 1-2 pages, 3-hole punched, with 25 copies.
If you prepare a power-point presentation, please submit a duplicate copy on CD so I can keep it for my files, and be sure all is labeled properly. Also, it is your responsibility to check out the LCD projector and to make sure your presentation works properly-in advance of class time. Be properly set up and ready-to-go when class begins. In lieu of a power-point, feel free to bring in visuals-either slides or photographs, or publications-- to make your points in class and pass them around. Try to incorporate visuals if possible.
If you wish, you may also plan a short exercise for us to do. If so, remember to include: task, time limit (15 minutes maximum), and end product. Please review your proposed exercise with your instructor at least a week in advance of your scheduled seminar date to ensure that it can be completed within the amount of time available.
Total time for your presentation should be 30-45 minutes including discussion, i.e. no more than 1/2 the class time. The remaining portion of the class time will consist of book reviews that tie in with the readings for that day.

 

ASSIGNMENT #5

"BOOK REVIEW"

The purpose of this project is: 1) to analyze and critically evaluate a key piece of literature relating to gender and race in architecture; 2) to learn how others have analyzed the same piece of literature; and 3) to obtain an overview of the literature in this field. When this assignment is completed, you will each have a collection of previously published book reviews as well as book reviews written by your classmates. Use these as resources for your future design and/or research projects and share them with others.

For your book review due date (assigned in class):

a) Finish reading the book.
b) Find 2 to 3 published reviews of your book. Use the Book Review Index in the Reference Room of the Main Library. Label each with the full citation information: author, title of journal, volume, number, year, and page numbers, so someone else could track down your source if they wished. Attach these reviews (b) to your own (c).
c) Prepare a 1 to 2 page (typed, single-spaced, double-sided) annotated book review outline. Have a classmate review a draft, using the evaluation criteria, before you mass-produce. Proof very carefully--absolutely no typos! Xerox 25 copies, double-sided, 3-hole punched, of both your annotated outline and the published book reviews. Collate and staple each set altogether.
d) Prepare a brief, 10-minute, oral presentation about the book. Practice your presentation with another classmate or friend. Think of an interesting, entertaining, and original way to present your information, rather than just reading your outline.
e) Bring your book into class to have on display.

 

ASSIGNMENT #6A

"TERM PAPER"

The purpose of this project is to conduct research on a topic related to the course that especially interests you. Progress reports will be due periodically in class.

PART I

a) Write a 1- to 2-paragraph proposal explaining the topic you would like to investigate. List some key research issues/questions that you wish to explore. Feel free to use the topics in our course outline as a springboard for ideas. Explain the kinds of sources you plan to use to investigate this issue.

b) Repeat this process for a second topic. List your topics in order of priority. I'll get back to you.

PART II - Draft Paper Due

PART III - Final Paper Due

a) Format is a 15- to 20-page paper, plus illustrations and complete bibliography. Paper should include: Introduction, Research Issues/Questions and Significance, Methods (how you derived information), Results, Discussion (these can be combined into Key Themes and a discussion of each) Conclusion, Implications for Design (if appropriate), and Bibliography. Cite all sources in full, using course outline as a model. If any illustrations are not your own--i.e. photographs you have taken or drawings you have produced--be sure to cite exact sources of each as well. Proof carefully before printing.no typos allowed! Select a "buddy" in the class and conduct a few peer review sessions outside of class where you review each other's work in progress. Your name, title of paper, and page #s should appear on every page. Note: Please submit 2 copies. One will be returned. Your grade will be based in large part on the depth of analysis you demonstrate.

b) 1-page summary with 25 copies for all class members.

c) Be prepared to discuss in class.

 

ASSIGNMENT #6B

"EXHIBIT BOARD"

The purpose of this project is to learn more about an underrepresented architect and her/his work and personal experiences in the profession, as well as to add to our class archive--both hard copy and Web site. Progress reports will be due in class periodically in class.

PART I

Identify a list of 3 women architects or architects of color--and their names, addresses, and phone numbers. List in order of priority. I'll get back to you.

PART II

Prepare a draft of your end of the phone conversation where you introduce yourself to your architect. Inform them that you are a student in this class working on a project. Ask for 1) a time when you can interview that person over the phone for about 1/2 to 1 hour (try to arrange this for the next week, if at all possible); and 2) any promotional materials they may have (resume, office brochure, newspaper or magazine articles written about them, sample graphics from design projects or work that has been published, etc.) that you can include on your board. Ask for high quality graphics if possible. Also ask that this material arrive BEFORE you do the interview. Say you will call them to follow up in a few days. Call as soon as possible. Offer to send them a reduction of your board once the project is completed, if they are interested in seeing it.

PART III

Conduct your interview in person, over the telephone, or via e-mail. Attached are some suggested questions for your interview. Select a minimum of 10 questions from this list, including all those in bold, and add your own as appropriate. Those questions which interest me the most are indicated with an *, **, and ***.

Briefly take notes while the person is speaking with you over the phone, and if someone says something especially catchy, be sure to write down the quote and read it back to them to make sure you got it right. Immediately after you hang up the phone, fill in any gaps in your written transcript and write down a summary of the interview in your own words.

PART IV - Draft Due

PART V - Final Due

Final format will include: 1) 1 to 3 20" x 30" boards, including a combination of written and graphic material; 2) one set of reductions of your boards; 3) a duplicate set of portable materials in 8-1/2" x 11" format; 4) CD ROM with all info included. I will keep the boards, reductions, and the CD ROM for our School of Architecture records. You may wish to make extra copies of the reductions for your own records and to send to the person you interviewed. Your written material should include a transcript of your interview. List each question with its response. Be sure the name, firm address, and telephone number of your subject appears prominently on your display. Proof everything carefully and make sure there are no typos or spelling errors. Select a "buddy" in the class and conduct a few peer review sessions outside of class where you review each other's work in progress. Please note: Boards must be able to be stacked and stored for archival purposes. Make sure that all your work fits directly on the board; no protrusions are permitted.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOUR INTERVIEW

How did you first develop an interest in architecture?

* While you were growing up, did you have any relatives or friends who were architects or in related fields? If so, who were they and how, if at all, did they influence you?

How supportive was your family of your decision to study architecture?

* Did you ever have a mentor in the field who "showed you the ropes"? If so, who was this?

How would you describe your experience as a [woman student/student of color] in design studio?

* What are some of the major obstacles you faced while a student? a practitioner? What did you do to overcome them?

*** To what extent has your [race/gender] helped or hindered your progress toward your career goals?

*** Have you ever faced any discrimination from [racism/sexism] as a student or practitioner? If so, what happened and how did you overcome it?

** If you were not a [woman/person of color] how, if at all, do you think your career path in architecture might be any different from what it is today?

If you could change one thing from your past as a student or professional, what would you change?

*** Compared to the "typical" white male in the field, how satisfied have you been with a) your opportunities for promotion and professional advancement, b) your salary, and c) your level of recognition in the field--both today and in the past?

Do you encounter any situation on a regular basis that makes you conscious of your own [gender/race]?

* What were some of the worst experiences you ever had as a [woman/person of color] in architecture? How did you deal with them? What were some of the best experiences?

** How do you suggest [women/people of color] battle discrimination in architectural practice? in architectural education?

** In light of the 1991 televised hearings about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, how widespread do you believe sexual harassment to be in architectural practice? in architectural education? Have you, yourself, ever been sexually harassed by anyone in this field? If so, what happened and what did you do about it?

** What can be done at universities to create a more welcoming environment for women and people of color in architecture?

* What do you think about the rate at which conditions are improving for women and people of color in architecture? What can be done to make improvements more quickly?

** Have you found any interesting ways to use your [race/gender] to your advantage?

*** Based on your experiences, what words of wisdom can you offer to women and people of color in architecture--as students? as professionals?

*** In order to improve the status of women and people of color in the field, what type of information do we need, or what kinds of issues should we be addressing? What do you see as the critical research questions that can help lead to improvements in the field?

*** Imagine that at some ideal point in the future, we have many more women architects and architects of color, and that their influence is widely felt throughout the profession. How do you think 1) the profession of architecture and 2) the built environment, as a reflection of the profession, might be different from what they are today?

 

EXHIBIT BOARD EVALUATION

Reviewer's Name ________________________

Student's Name _________________________

-   o   +

• Key identifying information is included

(name, position, firm, address, city, state)

• Text is informative

• Gender and race themes are emphasized

• Text contains short, readable paragraphs

• Second-hand materials are chosen carefully and relate strongly to subject

• Sources for all secondary text and illustrations are credited properly

• Graphics are clearly labeled and tie in with text

• High quality graphics are used

• Overall graphic design is strong

• Interviews are clearly presented

• "Juicy" quotes are included

• Author's name is included

COMMENTS:

 

Suggested Grade:

A     A-   B+    B     B-    C+   C

 

ASSIGNMENT #7

DUE: ____________________  

In 2-3 paragraphs each, answer the following questions, type your responses, place your name and date on each page, and staple altogether.  

• As a follow-up to the seminar discussion on “Gender and Race in Design Education: Issues for Students and Faculty,” select 3 of the required readings for that class session.
• Identify by author, then compare and contrast the authors’ views on what changes are needed to make design education more inclusive
• To what extent do you agree or disagree with these 3 authors, and why?
• What other recommendations do you have to further diversify design education?

2. The following questions are based on Designing for Diversity.

• Summarize 3 of the book’s major arguments.
• Assume you are President of the American Institute of Architects. What major policy changes would you initiate to remedy the wrongs of the profession regarding diversity? Use the recommendations made in the text as a springboard for your own original ideas.

 

ASSIGNMENT #8: IN LIEU OF FINAL EXAM,

DUE: ___________________

In an essay form, type up your responses to the following questions. Number each question separately and put your name, date, and page number on each page; staple altogether. Submit two copies; one will be returned. Be prepared to discuss your responses in class. There are no right or wrong answers. Rather, I am interested in your ability to reflect upon the class in retrospect.

1. Before you took this course, how aware were you of gender and racial issues in architecture? Where did this awareness come from? When you signed up for the course, what were your own course objectives--what was it, specifically, that you wanted to learn? Now that you have completed this course, relate what you actually learned in the course back to your original objectives. [Suggested length: 2-3 paragraphs]
2. Suppose you are at a party over the upcoming vacation and a friend asks you "What did you learn from Arch/GWS 424? What were some of the issues covered in the course that you believe are most important? What surprised you most about the course? Was there anything about the course that caused you to change your mind about certain issues? Discuss 3 points in detail. You have only 5 minutes to explain your answer before s/he dashes back to the food table. [Suggested length: 2-3 paragraphs]
3. We had several guest speakers throughout the semester. Select 3 guests whose presentations made the greatest impact on you, and explain why. [Suggested length: 2-3 paragraphs]
4. Discuss how the information you learned from this course can be disseminated across a wide spectrum of audiences, including students, faculty, practitioners, as well as the public-at-large. Once the course is over, what can you, your classmates, and your instructor do? Use your imagination and be as creative as possible. [Suggested length: 1 paragraph]
5. Write up an assignment for next year's students that builds upon what we learned in this class. Be sure to specify a task, time limit, and specific end product. [Suggested length: 1 paragraph]
6. Review the grading criteria listed in the course outline. Assess your performance along each of the criteria including ability to meet deadlines, and based on your assessment, determine what grade you believe you deserve for the course. Explain why. [Suggested length: 1 paragraph]