Sociocultural Aspects of Design

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a background in cross-cultural aspects of both exterior and interior design. The main emphasis will be on the use of space and symbolism in forms of communication within a cultural and ritual context, often without the conscious understanding of the inhabitants. Areas of discussion will be: symbolic and cultural templates on residential layout; concepts of the home in different societies; geomantic/fengshui logic in exterior and interior layout in different cultures (specifically Hawaii, Japan and China); and cultural aspects to interior design both in layout and furnishings. The major areas of regional emphasis from which examples will be taken from all the Americas (both pre-contact and Euro American), East Asia and the Pacific. Fulfills interdisciplinary course requirement. Cross-listed with GE 335. Offered annually in the Spring semester.