After successful completion of the course, students are able to develop a research question and discuss it in an independently written academic text. In the seminar, students gain a methodological insight into how the existing canon of architecture can be questioned and how this criticism can be used to derive profitable approaches for the development of alternative architectural histories. In addition, basic knowledge of gender studies is imparted through the reading of texts.

The objectives of the course are to write and present a theoretical paper: after an introduction to academic work and the presentation of basic methodological working methods, you will be able to write an academic text and prepare your research results for written and oral presentation. You will receive assistance with the methodological and content-related structuring of the topic and in dealing with libraries, databases and archives.

The course is held in german, papers can also be submitted in english.

SEX AND SPACE. QUEERFEMINIST APPROACHES - FOCUS ON ART HISTORY

The seminar deals with how sexuality is negotiated architecturally on different scales. The starting point is the observation that the examination of places associated with sexuality or intimacy also opens up a critical perspective on the margins of architectural history and the construction of gender norms. Contexts such as sex work, the hidden expression of sexuality in public spaces or sexuality in living spaces are not usually established components of design tasks. Nevertheless, they tell us a great deal about how architecture and urban space are appropriated in everyday life: how sexuality fundamentally affects the definition of space and the distribution of power. This is linked not only to the question of who determines what a sexual act can be, but also to understandings of bodily norms, shame, love and friendship, as well as the demarcation between the private and public spheres. In this course, we will look at different places and architectures that have been appropriated as (secret) sexual meeting places or designed for sexual acts. The examples range from public convenience stores, swimming pools or parks to urban areas that are associated with and stigmatized by sex work.

Learning how to work scientifically is fundamental to the methodology of the seminar. We also deal with a critique of the existing canon and at the same time with the visualization of marginalized phenomena. Accordingly, historical sources may have to be questioned differently or other sources used (such as oral history or criminal records). We are looking for traces of how sexuality, intimacy and closeness were negotiated historically and how these negotiations can be linked to space and architecture.

DATES

Weekly Tuesday from 13–16 h

• Start: 08.10.2024
• Room AC 03-01 (with the exception of the workshops)
• Registration for the elective seminar takes place via TISS.

SPECIAL DATES

Workshops will take place on the following dates in cooperation with the course "Tabuisierte Stadt - Queerfeministisches Lernen von Bestand“ (Tuesdays from 1-6 pm):

• Workshop 1: 15.10.2024, AA 03 - 1 - CEE
• Workshop 2: 17.12.2024, AA 03 - 1 - CEE
• Workshop 3: 14.01.2025, AA 03 - 1 - CEE
• Closing event/exhibition: 28.01.2025, AA 03 - 1 - CEE

In addition to the workshops, four evening lectures must be attended as part of the seminar, which complement the seminar program in terms of content. The dates for the lectures will be announced in good time.

The performance record for the seminar with a focus on art history consists of three partial performances:

• As assignment 1, a bibliography and an outline for the academic text (assignment 2) are written as a basis for the seminar paper and a research question is set up. Over the course of the semester, a work status on the subject of research will be presented.
• A scientific text of 30,000 characters is written as assignment 2.
• Assignment 3 consists of an output that is developed in a joint workshop. This will be presented at the final event on 28.1.2025.

Attendance is a prerequisite for passing the course.