ASSIGNMENT 3 – ARCHITECTURAL MEMORIAL CRITICISM ESSAY

In Assignment 3 each student will write a 2,500 word architectural criticism paper (+ or – 10% = 2,250 minimum — 2,750 maximum) that critiques an exemplary architectural memorial project; specifically in relation to concepts and theories of the ‘presence and absence’ in post-structuralism and deconstruction in their analysis of their chosen architectural memorial case study. Each student is required to demonstrate their understanding of deconstruction’s key concepts; for example, using post-structuralism and deconstruction as a means through which to understand architectural language and/or meaning through the differ of signification. How does this influence our experience of the work and its interpreted meaning by us? In addition, students may use other supporting sources from the Set Reading and Recommended Further Reading lists for the course (outlined in the Course Overview sheet), in combination with appropriate authoritative newspaper and academic sources researched through the libraries catalogue.

Step 1: Selecting your architectural memorial case study project >
Select and research an architectural memorial case study around which your semester’s research activity and analysis will be framed. The case study must be in South Australia.
Step 2: Generating your research question >
This is a crude initial step, but it will assist you in framing your hypothesis. You can expand and massage the research question as the research progresses, and your subsequent understanding of the literature expands, but initially, use this formulaic structure to get you started;
How can the Enfield Memorial Park demonstrate concepts and theories of presence and absence in order to understand its application of meaning-making in memorial architecture today?

Students are required to apply concepts and theories of the ‘presence and absence’ in post-structuralism and deconstruction in their analysis of their chosen architectural memorial case study. Each student is required to demonstrate their understanding of deconstruction’s key concepts; for example, using post-structuralism and deconstruction as a means through which to understand architectural language and meaning through the differ of signification. How does this influence our experience of the work and its interpreted meaning by us? In addition, students may use other supporting sources from the Set Reading and Recommended Further Reading lists for the course (outlined in the Course Overview sheet), in combination with appropriate authoritative newspaper and academic sources researched through the libraries catalogue.