The class assignments include both papers and debates, as well as a midterm and final.

Paper Assignments

There will be three short paper assignments. The papers will be linked to each other to produce a final paper that will be reworked as part of the final examination. The assignments will try to help students move from writing a position paper to writing a research paper. Some will be more adept at this than others, but even for someone with excellent skills it is still an excellent exercise. In essence, you provide the content, we will provide the structure and guidance.

All papers should be between 500 and 800 words, not including footnotes and bibliography.

Paper One

On one page, write an essay describing what you think architecture is and what you think architecture is not. Bring in specific examples. These papers will be discussed in class.

Paper Two

Study the corrections and edits on your paper. On an attached sheet, we have generalized themes or even theories that you touch on in your paper (or that you seem to touch on). Write a second paper on the one of the general topics. We would not like you to deepen your knowledge of these themes, so as to add credibility to your opinions. You will need to bring in outside sources and references. Make sure to give proper citations.

Paper Three

Take Paper Two and work over the comments. Please focus on one of the key issues. Use footnotes to add depth to your research. Produce at least five, where applicable. Include a bibliography of relevant material, should be at least 5 or six books or articles. This paper is no longer a position paper. It is a research paper. In other words, I do not want sentences like "architecture should be in touch with nature." Rather I want an argument in which I can find sentences like "According to John Ruskin, in his Seven Lamps of Architecture, nature….."  etc. A footnote might then explain Ruskin's work in more detail. It might also point to other secondary articles on Ruskin's view of nature.

The Debate

There will be 1 1/2 hours for the debate. It will be organized according to the following time schedule.

Position 1......................................5 minutes
Position 2......................................5 minutes
Rebuttal 1.....................................5 minutes
Rebuttal 2.....................................5 minutes
Discussion...................................65 minutes
Closing 1.......................................5 minutes
Closing 2.......................................5 minutes

The debate team must prepare the position, rebuttal and closing in advance, or at least major parts of it. Different students should be responsible for different parts.

The team must come up with a single sentence around the topic and distribute it to the opponents.

The debate teams can bring in any props for the debate.

Note:
The debate is held as theater event, meaning that one is expected to defend the position regardless of one's actual personal opinion. At the end of the debate, all "sins" will be absolved.

To best prepare for the debate, the team should first discuss the position, then practice it among themselves. It is important that the team understand its own dynamic. Who is the better speaker? Who has the quickest wit? What kind of props books or charts should one brings in? How should one dress?