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Sociology IV: The Architects' Bread and Butter
Soziologie IV: Das Brot des Architekten.
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:29:59
Abstract
Theories and observations about the creative industries of ZurichThe creative industries, with architects as crucial agents, are becoming a target field of city marketing. The course illuminates the background of the present creative imperative and familiarizes to the debate on the basis of theoretical texts. By conducting small case studies the students gain insights in research techniques.
Objective
This elective course highlights the sociological perspective on architectural practice and provides an introduction to sociological research. It focuses on two main procedures: on the one hand, a systematic reading and discussion of theoretical texts, and on the other, empirical case studies of social aspects of the production of the built environment. In this course, a wide set of qualitative research methods is used (including various forms of interview, participant observation, image and text analyses). This approach enables students to gain their own experience by dealing with the various participants and constellations in the social field of architecture and building construction, and to familiarize themselves with the approaches and perceptions of various different participants.
Content
The themes dealt with in this course are aligned to recent debates on architecture and building construction from the sociological point of view, and vary accordingly. They include the following aspects: private and public space, the social rediscovery of the urban, social change of the architecture profession, symbolism and representations of space.
Resources
Literature
A textbook is available at the lectureship sociology (HIL E 61.2)
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC , DS , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Soziologie IV: Das Brot des Architekten. Theorien und Beobachtungen zur Kreativwirtschaft Zürichs |
|
2 h weekly |