Teaching Beyond the Curriculum
Abstract
This research questions how to provoke students to promote cultural diversity through architectural pedagogy, the case of Abdoon circle, Amman- Jordan. It starts by introducing the site and the reasons for selections of such context. The second stage involves analyzing the impact of the economic developments within the specific context. These developments within Amman metropolitan city resulted in the lack of open spaces, traffic congestions, overcrowding impacting the quality of life of both residents and users. Then it moves to focus on the pedagogical methods that have been used for students to analysis the various morphological layers (physical analysis). Afterwards students were investigating the social layer; they were asked to conduct various observations and interviews and questionnaires. In order to map and investigate the community needs that can be translated as physical interventions (in Architectural design). The final stage illustrated some of students’ visions and proposals as solutions for issues that emerged from the previous stages. These methods of teaching and solutions can be useful to be translated within various regional contexts that have similar issues, in terms of these forms of economic developments.
Dr. Hadeer L Merza – Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Design, University of Petra, Amman., Jordan. B.Sc in Architecture, 1982, M.Sc. in Architectural Design, Housing & planning, 1987. P.H.D. in Housing Design and planning, in urban context. The thesis entitled “Change in the concept of space and place in housing environment within Islamic Ideology”, 1999.University of Baghdad, College of Engineering. Department of Architecture. Academic experience in the University of Baghdad 1987-2006, and at the University of Petra from 2006 to date, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture
Assistant professor at the department of Architecture, University of Petra. A qualified Architect, urban designer and granted his PhD at Sheffield School of Architecture- United Kingdom. His practice-based research questions diversity, politics and inequality in public spaces and how these can be addressed through alternative participatory spatial practice. He is involved in promoting critical thinking towards social justice as civic pedagogical educational institutions and re-producing alternatives. His research has gained profound interest from national and global researchers. Amro is enthusiastically active in teaching. Taking various roles at the University of Petra, as a tutor and coordinator, for Urban Planning & Design and architectural studios and other research Skills, Graduation projects and Architecture theory modules. His experience at SSoA, also involved various roles as a Co-leader for Master in Urban Design Studios, tutor, mentee and reviewer. He is a member of “Lines of flights” and “Globalisation and Spatial Practice” research groups in the Architecture Department at the University of Sheffield.