Space Sociology

This theoretical course refers to the epistemological content of the sociology of space and studies the dialectical relationship between space and the social environment, or otherwise the social inclusion of the individual in the built environment. It refers to the transition from the natural to the built environment, with the evolution of social structures and the dynamics they express in different historical periods. It develops sociological considerations capable of relating the realization of built spaces to human relationships and activities. It presents theories that interpret the social structure of urban space and interior spaces as fields of social relations with qualitative and quantitative characteristics. It delves into categories of interior spaces of primary and rationalized socialization. It refers to factors that influence the design of space – gender, religious and ethnic identity, biological, social and cultural characteristics. In addition, cultural otherness is a dominant feature of modern societies that is enhanced by the use of technology and the forced or voluntary or not, movement of large social groups. These processes create conditions for the rapid development of multiculturalism as a construction of identity and the formation of new conditions of collective or temporary cohabitation. The intercultural interaction and the relations of the different social groups redefine the space, establishing new interpretations and versions of its configuration or introducing new spaces of exclusion.

Interdisciplinary approaches are an important part of the design process and lead to a holistic understanding of architectural design and its repositioning as means of improving the conditions of human life. On the other hand, the study of the material culture that exists in the respective social conditions of its creation, can be used as means, as vehicle, as metaphor, or as narrative in order to create new personal planning tools, and with them to contribute to the contemporary condition of human life. From this point of view sociology of space course aims at consolidating interdisciplinary approaches, at critically addressing social issues over time, and at connecting them with architectural design process, which is a process that is connected to humans, modern housing requirements, social interaction, globalized economy and cultural coexistence. A basic goal of the course is to cultivate active individual participation, but also group cooperation, as well as interaction with the tutor.

The course is based on lectures. In the sociological analysis of different spaces and systems, audiovisual material is used as means of presentation, such as archival material, films and documentaries. In order to foster a critical discussion and the spirit of cooperation, students undertake optional group work on a social phenomenon of their choice, which they analyze by studying literature and referring to visual material. This work progresses with a systematic review and culminates in the writing of an essay, which is presented publicly.
The students after the successful completion of the course:
– They will be able to use creatively interdisciplinary approaches in architectural design.
-They will be able to understand basic concepts of the epistemological content of the sociology of space and how these can be used as an analytical, interpretive tool for the built environment.
– They will be able to perceive ideological and social developments of different historical periods of the territorial records of built spaces, especially the phenomenon of urbanization.
– They will be able to understand how urbanization affected the natural environment.
– They will be able to understand systems of socio-economic organizations and institutions, as well as conditions of multiculturalism.
– They will be able to critically analyze the social inclusion of the individual in the built space and the human-environment interaction in functional categories of indoor spaces: houses, schools, workplaces, places for entertainment, culture and knowledge, but also the special places of religion, isolation and limitation.
– They will be able to critically analyze issues of age and gender, race and ethnicity, as well as religion.
– By preparing their work they will be able to critically consolidate theoretical knowledge and develop bibliographic study, expression and writing skills based on scientific research rules.
– They will have the ability to develop and publicly support their views.