Theory and History of Architecture

Overview

The doctoral programme seeks the specialised training of postgraduate students in the Department's disciplines and fulfils its educational mission by monitoring, directing and approving doctoral theses drawn up by doctoral candidates. This generic and rather obvious statement having been made, we shall now go into detail on the more concrete objectives that our programme has pursued in the past, as well as those it is currently pursuing.

The programme

Firstly, the programme attempts to offer students the most complete view possible of the research fields in which the Department's members are involved, whether individually or collectively. In this manner, students can familiarise themselves with this research work, take an interest in it and use it as a reference when the time comes to undertake work of their own towards obtaining their research credits and subsequently writing their doctoral theses.

Secondly, the topics dealt with in the different courses are related to the research work of the doctors teaching them, and also act as sectoral and concrete approaches to the general problem currently facing the theory of architecture, aesthetics, historiography of art and architecture, technology and the city. Our programme thus aims to enhance students' awareness of this set of problems and help them to understand their research work, in its function of approaching or delving into specific subjects as part of a global vision and a shared intellectual effort.

Thirdly, on a more circumstantial and pragmatic level, our programme dedicates some of its courses to the examination of Latin American architecture and cities. A significant contingent of our students are Latin American and many of them wish to write doctoral theses on subjects having to do with their respective countries. From the beginning of our doctoral programme, we have considered it appropriate to firmly accept this reality and to offer the study and research fields to satisfy this demand.

Finally, the programme aims to provide students with the methodological and bibliographical instruments required for them to complete their studies, carry out their research work and develop doctoral theses. It also aims to direct - and if possible facilitate - their access to documentary sources and generally assist, advise and tutor them to direct and facilitate their individual work up to the completion and defence of their doctoral thesis.