Let's have a heated debate!

If I had to make one complaint about the course so far it would be about the beginning of Unit 6 of Block 2. Last week I told you how I really enjoyed Unit 5's look at the wider context of the games and its tales of gladiatorial glory amidst the microcosm of Roman power that was the Colisseum. Now, admittedly, last weekend I came down with a rotten cold and TV5 (the 1st TV programme on this block) was missed because of a faulty mailout DVD, but that does not excuse how badly the way they pitched the 'new' subject of architecture to unassuming students like me. It was sooooooooooooooooooo boringly complex right from kick-off. Unlike in Block 1, there was no attempt to try and simplify the language to ease you in. Instead the academic bombarded us with all kinds of terms far too quickly & too frequently. It took me ages before it sort of clicked but I know I will not be coming back to this ever again. I have to admit this was the first time I really wanted to switch off and just walk away. But I stuck with it because I know there is a greater good at stake here. It has been so poorly thought out for newbies like myself. Surely, they know that not everyone has a basic understanding of architectural language and terms and needs that guiding hand in?

A different approach would have been to look at the later part of the Unit and briefly draw comparisons with the Colisseum before then getting into the thick of the terms (albeit with less of a hammer & tongs approach). This part looks at the Colisseum's influence on later architecture and the 'typical' example given is the old employ Stadium. This bit - looking at the Empire exhibition of the 20s and the comparative context of modern stadia building since the late 80s - is absolutely fascinating and has got me back 'onside' I'm glad to say. But earlier in the week I was really lost with all these 'orders', 'vaults' and 'pilasters'.

Last night's tutorial without doubt was the best we have all had so far. Up 'till now some people have been quite reserved and the odd debate here & there tends to flounder after myself and a few others have dried up their reserve of ideas. Not last night. In fact, I don't think we did much in the way of extra-curricular 'exercises' on Block 2 during the evening. The whole thing started off from a line from the tutor asking what we had learnt since reading the Block book and went on to someone saying they were not shocked at the 'supposed barbarity' of Roman culture in comparison with our own. The debate on this must have gone on and on for an hour or more and, I'm glad to say, I chipped in quite a lot to its frenetic activity. It was absolutely superb stuff and I really enjoyed its ebb & flow. I can't imagine ever doing this before on a grim Wednesday night (and when a good footie match was on TV too!).

Also, we found out last night from our tutor that all but 3 students have had their TMAs marked & returned and so far everyone has passed! Fingers crossed!!!