Architecture and Urbanism of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century

Pre-requisites: To successfully engage in this course knowledge of basic social and political theory, as well as as urban sociology is necessary.

Course objectives: The main goal of this course is for students to learn how to «read» social spaces of the «totalitarian city», in other words, to understand that architecture and urbanism can be observable markers and indicators of the characteristics of some of the most repressive regimes.

Course description: The content of this course is based primarily on the political aspects of the physical transformation of cities: architecture (private space:housing) and urbanism (public space: streets, squares, stadiums, cities) during fascism, stalinism and nazism. Cities will be examined by issues of class, ethnicity, race, and gender issues and who held power at the time– basically, how urban politics functioned in those spaces. Special attention will be payed to the use and function of public spaces as manifestations of power, manipulation by imposing values – «hypnotizing the masses» and spreading fear. Within this context, this course looks at opposing points of view and dialogue between nazi-fascist regimes and stalinist neoclassicism on the one side, and functionalism, rationalism and constructivism in architecture and urbanism on the other side.

Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to differentiate fascism, stalinism and nazism as they relate to the «Creation of space» and its (ab)use.

Architecture and Urbanism of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century

Pre-requisites: To successfully engage in this course knowledge of basic social and political theory, as well as as urban sociology is necessary.

Course objectives: The main goal of this course is for students to learn how to «read» social spaces of the «totalitarian city», in other words, to understand that architecture and urbanism can be observable markers and indicators of the characteristics of some of the most repressive regimes.

Course description: The content of this course is based primarily on the political aspects of the physical transformation of cities: architecture (private space:housing) and urbanism (public space: streets, squares, stadiums, cities) during fascism, stalinism and nazism. Cities will be examined by issues of class, ethnicity, race, and gender issues and who held power at the time– basically, how urban politics functioned in those spaces. Special attention will be payed to the use and function of public spaces as manifestations of power, manipulation by imposing values – «hypnotizing the masses» and spreading fear. Within this context, this course looks at opposing points of view and dialogue between nazi-fascist regimes and stalinist neoclassicism on the one side, and functionalism, rationalism and constructivism in architecture and urbanism on the other side.

Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to differentiate fascism, stalinism and nazism as they relate to the «Creation of space» and its (ab)use.

Literature/Reading:

• Sreten Vujović, Arhitektura i urbanizam totalitarnih režima XX veka, rider za kurs
• Čarls Dženks(1982) " Šest tradicija - politika i arhitektura", u: Moderni pokreti u arhitekturi, Beograd: IRO Građevinska knjiga
• Sreten Vujović, Grad i društvo, IIC SSOS, Beograd, 1982. str. 52-94