Built Narratives. International Organizations, Media, and the Architecture of Development

Abstract

In this seminar, we will examine the impact of a select group of international organizations in conjunction with the utilization (and at times, voluntarily or involuntarily mis-use) of media of development.The seminar revolves around 5 key topics, each representing central media in development: Reports & Bulletins, Manuals & Model Houses, Exhibitions & Films, Correspondence, and Headquarters.

Objective

The seminar aims to investigate the process of creating and questioning knowledge related to development within international organizations and their utilization of media. This exploration will unveil various strategies employed by these organizations to orient both individuals and authorities towards the project of development, which was subject to varying interpretations. By critically examining diverse forms of development media, this seminar course aims to achieve two primary objectives. Firstly, it seeks to cultivate a historical understanding of architecture’s roles in development politics, particularly focusing on the period spanning from the 1950s to the 1990s. Secondly, the course endeavours to provide insights into both the potential and limitations of various media within the realm of development aid projects. Upon completion of the course, students will have: - acquired a general knowledge of the role of architecture in the historical context of development politics, the main internationals organizations, and their positions. - acquired an in-depth knowledge of the use of media in development politics. - developed a critical and reflective attitude in engaging with historical documents, in particular, and the history of development in the postwar and postcolonial period, in general. - acquired a general knowledge of working with archival documents. - practiced effective presentation, communication, and discussion skills. - strengthened their analytical skills and criticality in reading historical documents and writing a scientific argument.

Content

The first three topics combine current research with the examination of various historical sources. Our sessions typically commence with a brief text or, in one instance, a recorded presentation by architectural historians. The text discussion is followed by student presentations on historical documents which we will scrutinise in detail and which will form the starting point for writing the final paper in the course of the seminar. From then on, there will be almost no more compulsory reading. The conclusion of this section will involve discussions on your mid-term assignments, allowing you to explore your analyses and insights after our examination of the initial three topics. The fourth topic involves an archival session, where I will bring correspondence from the International Council of Scientific Unions Archives. In groups, you will practice approaching archival sources, particularly letters. This session offers an opportunity to reflect on the role of archives in navigating international organizations and their use of media. Our exploration extends beyond the conventional notion of media in development to encompass the tangible manifestations of these international organizations, with a specific focus on Switzerland. Geneva, being a central hub for numerous international organizations, serves as the nexus where both media and representative architecture intersect. An excursion to Geneva will allow us to critically analyse the headquarters of international organizations as embodiments of internationalism, and to investigate the relationship between these architectural representations and the architectural principles promoted by the international organizations in their development projects. The course concludes with a scientific writing workshop aimed at refining your final papers. Please bring your current paper drafts with you. The last session is dedicated to presenting a part of the final assignment, culminating in a comprehensive discussion on the seminar’s overarching theme. As a guest critic, Dr. Daniela Ortiz dos Santos who works on the intersection of international organizations and intellectual migration will join us for the discussion.

Resources