Gender, Space, Architecture
Department of Architecture
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Professor Heghnar Watenpaugh
E-mail: heghnar@mit.edu

TA: Erdem Erten. E-mail: erdem@MIT.EDU

Course Description:

This courses places issues of gender at the center of explorations of space and architecture. We will work with theoretical and multi-disciplinary texts to consider gender in relation to particular architectural sites, projects and ideas.  The core debates on women and gender in art and architectural history are introduced. In-depth analyses of selected works of art and architecture from various historical contexts highlight issues including gendered practices of space, vision and power, masculinity, and cyberspace. Special emphasis is placed on the experience of women and men in Third World contexts.  No background in art or architectural history required.

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Texts:

Jane Rendell et al, eds. Gender Space Architecture: An Interdisciplinary Introduction (New York: Routledge, 2000).

Leila Ahmed, Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate (New Haven : Yale University Press, 1992).

These books are available for purchase at the MIT Coop. These texts, as well as all additional readings listed below, have been placed on reserve at the Rotch Library (7-238).

Evaluation:

Class Participation (20%): You are expected to attend all class meetings and to critically engage the readings. Class participation includes oral presentation of the term paper.

Written Assignments:

Critical analysis (20%):  You will write a critical analysis of a key text in gender theory, to be chosen in consultation with me. 4-5 pages, doublespaced. Due September 23, 2002.

A space restricted to your own sex (20%):  You will write a critical account of your experience (exceptional or everyday) of using a public space restricted to your own sex (examples: public bathrooms, locker rooms, women’s section at the mosque). Why are these spaces reserved in this way? How are they used? Are the prescribed uses violated? A diagram of the space and any other visually relevant information should be included (you will not be evaluated on the quality of these drawings!). 4-5 pages, doublespaced. Due October 28, 2002.

Term Paper (40%): an essay on a topic of your choice which will explicitly address a theoretical debate covered in class. Due in class at the latest on December 13, 2002. 8-10 pages, doublespaced, exclusive of endnotes, bibliography, and illustrations.

Class Schedule

Week 1. September 4:

Introduction

Week 2. September 9, September 11

Issues of Gender in architectural practice and theory

Week 3. September 16, September 18

Femininity and Domesticity

Week 4. Sept 23, September 25

Critical Analysis Assignment due.

The Social Construction of Gender

Week 5. September 30, Octob

Week 6. October 7, October 9

Public spaces 1: Gender, Power, Access

Week 7. October 14 (no class meeting) , October 16

Public Spaces 2: Patronage and Power

Week 8. October 21, October 23

The Space of the Body

Week 9. October 28, October 30

A Space Restricted to your Own Sex & Assignment due.

Cyberspace; the Posthuman Body

Week 10. November 4, November 6

Maculinities

Week 11. November 11 (no class meeting & MIT holiday), November 13

Week 12. November 18, November 20

Spaces of Colonialism/Postcolonialism and Gender

Week 13. November 25, November 27

Architectural Discourse and Feminist Practice

Week 14. December 2, December 4

Week 15. December 9, December 11.

Student Presentations