Reimagining Blackness and Architecture from Coursera

Architecture structures our daily lives. It shapes our homes, streets, neighborhoods, cities, and more. But who gets to create and occupy these spaces? In the United States, a long history of anti-Black racism has erased the stories of Black architects and communities and created spatial inequalities that are built into the physical environment.

Reimagining Blackness and Architecture explores the relationship between architecture and Blackness as an identity and a lived experience. You’ll hear directly from Black artists, architects, scholars, and writers who reimagine their surroundings and highlight the ways Black makers have changed the world. You’ll see how architects are working to transform American cities into more equitable places, using everything from textiles, hip-hop, and fiction to spices and spaceships. And you’ll hear from an international range of artists who create spaces for their communities and make stories of Black life visible in their work.

The course is structured around five themes: Imagination, Care, Knowledge, Refusal, and Liberation. Each week, through original films, audio interviews, and readings, you’ll expand your understanding of architecture as a practice that reaches across time, place, and form. Creative activities and prompts for reflection will encourage you to consider your own role in shaping your communities.

Course image credit:

Dawoud Bey. A Couple at a Main Street Bus Stop, Rochester, NY. 1989. Gelatin silver print, 11 7/16 × 22 1/16" (29.1 × 56 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Acquired through the generosity of Ruth Nordenbrook. © 2021 Dawoud Bey

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Imagination

Care

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Sean Anderson and Arlette Hernandez, who both have experience in the field

Examines the relationship between architecture and Blackness as an identity and a lived experience

Develops understanding of architecture as a practice that spans time, place, and form

Includes readings, videos, and audio interviews, providing a multifaceted learning experience

Suitable for learners interested in architecture, urban planning, or Black studies

Requires students to have basic understanding of architecture and design concepts

Reviews summary

Reimagining blackness and architecture: a critical lens

According to learners, this course offers a transformative and eye-opening perspective on architecture, deeply exploring its intersection with Black identity and experience. Students consistently praise the rich and curated content, which includes original films, insightful audio interviews, and contributions from prominent Black artists and scholars. Many emphasize its unique ability to challenge conventional thinking and fill a significant void in traditional architectural discourse. While widely lauded for its conceptual depth and timely relevance to social justice, a few learners noted that the academic language can be dense and that the focus is more philosophical than practical for those seeking direct design application. Overall, it's considered an essential and enriching educational journey.

Offers deep dives into critical theory, which can be challenging for some.

"Some of the concepts were quite abstract, which might be a bit much for complete beginners without a background in humanities."

"My main critique is that sometimes the pace felt a bit rushed, especially with the amount of reading required."

"An insightful journey into overlooked aspects of architecture... Some prior exposure to critical theory might be helpful."

More philosophical and critical than focused on technical architectural skills.

"I found some of the academic language a bit dense. It felt more like an art history or social studies course than an architecture one..."

"I was hoping for more concrete architectural examples or design principles. While the historical and social context was valuable, I felt it lacked practical application."

"I personally found it challenging to grasp how these theoretical ideas directly influence architectural design in a practical sense. It felt abstract at times."

Structured around powerful themes with creative activities and reflection prompts.

"The structure around themes like 'Care' and 'Knowledge' was brilliant."

"The reflection prompts were good for personal engagement."

"The creative activities were a nice touch, prompting deeper engagement."

Explores highly relevant themes related to social justice and spatial inequalities.

"A very thought-provoking course. The topics are incredibly relevant and the curated content (films, interviews) is top-notch."

"It's a foundational course for understanding equitable design."

"The themes are incredibly timely and relevant. It provides a unique lens through which to view architecture and society."

Features high-quality films, interviews, and readings from diverse voices.

"The films were particularly insightful, and the guest speakers brought such diverse perspectives."

"The curated content (films, interviews) is top-notch. It broadened my understanding of architecture beyond traditional definitions."

"The curated resources are fantastic, especially the audio interviews. It made me think critically about the spaces I inhabit."

Offers a unique and eye-opening re-evaluation of architecture's social impact.

"This course was truly transformative. The way it wove together art, architecture, and critical race theory was phenomenal."

"Absolutely essential learning. The insights from Black architects and artists were invaluable."

"This course opened my eyes to so many overlooked narratives and contributions."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Reimagining Blackness and Architecture with these activities:

Review Basic Architectural Principles

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Refresh and strengthen your understanding of architectural principles to enhance your comprehension of the course material.

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Review key concepts in architectural design
Practice sketching and drawing architectural elements
Study basic architectural theories

Analyze Architectural Case Studies

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Develop analytical skills by examining case studies of architectural design that reflect themes of race, equity, and social justice.

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Select diverse architectural case studies
Analyze the designs and their impact on communities
Write brief reports highlighting key findings

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Career center

Learners who complete Reimagining Blackness and Architecture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Architect

Architects design buildings and other structures, taking into account factors such as safety, functionality, and aesthetics. This course can help you develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to succeed as an architect. You'll also learn about the history of architecture and the different styles that have been used throughout the world.

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Urban Planner

Urban planners develop plans for the use of land in cities and towns. They consider factors such as population growth, economic development, and environmental protection. This course can help you understand the principles of urban planning and how to create sustainable and equitable communities.

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Landscape Architect

Landscape architects design outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and playgrounds. They consider factors such as plant life, water features, and hardscape elements. This course can help you develop the creativity and technical skills needed to succeed as a landscape architect. You'll also learn about the history of landscape architecture and the different styles that have been used throughout the world.

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Interior designer

Interior designers create the interior spaces of buildings, such as homes, offices, and retail stores. They consider factors such as space planning, furniture selection, and color schemes. This course can help you develop the creativity and technical skills needed to succeed as an interior designer. You'll also learn about the history of interior design and the different styles that have been used throughout the world.

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Architectural Historian

Architectural historians study the history of architecture and the different styles that have been used throughout the world. They conduct research, write books and articles, and give lectures on their findings. This course can help you develop the research and writing skills needed to succeed as an architectural historian. You'll also learn about the different methods used to study architecture and the different theories that have been developed to explain its development.

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Museum curator

Museum curators oversee the collections of museums and art galleries. They develop exhibitions, write catalogs, and give lectures on the works in their collections. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a museum curator. You'll also learn about the different types of museums and the different ways that they collect and display works of art.

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Art Critic

Art critics write reviews and articles about works of art. They consider factors such as the artist's intent, the use of materials, and the overall impact of the work. This course can help you develop the critical thinking and writing skills needed to succeed as an art critic. You'll also learn about the different types of art criticism and the different theories that have been developed to explain the nature of art.

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Art dealer

Art dealers buy and sell works of art. They work with artists, collectors, and museums to find the right homes for works of art. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an art dealer. You'll also learn about the different types of art markets and the different ways that works of art are bought and sold.

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Photographer

Photographers create images using cameras. They work in a variety of settings, including studios, outdoor locations, and events. This course can help you develop the technical and creative skills needed to succeed as a photographer. You'll also learn about the history of photography and the different styles that have been used throughout the world.

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Writer

Writers create written content, such as books, articles, and poems. They work in a variety of settings, including offices, libraries, and coffee shops. This course can help you develop the writing skills needed to succeed as a writer. You'll also learn about the different types of writing and the different ways that writers develop their craft.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students at all levels, from kindergarten through college. They develop lesson plans, teach classes, and assess student learning. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a teacher. You'll also learn about the different types of teaching methods and the different ways that teachers can create effective learning environments.

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Social Worker

Social workers help people overcome challenges and improve their lives. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and community centers. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a social worker. You'll also learn about the different types of social work and the different ways that social workers can help people.

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Counselor

Counselors help people with mental health issues. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and private practice. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a counselor. You'll also learn about the different types of counseling and the different ways that counselors can help people.

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Archivist

Archivists preserve and manage historical documents and records. They work in a variety of settings, including libraries, museums, and government agencies. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an archivist. You'll also learn about the different types of archival materials and the different ways that archivists can preserve and manage them.

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Librarian

Librarians help people find and use information. They work in a variety of settings, including libraries, schools, and businesses. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a librarian. You'll also learn about the different types of libraries and the different ways that librarians can help people find and use information.

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