Architecture in Asia

Exploring Architecture and Culture in Thailand, Vietnam and Laos

With a history spanning across several millennia and a rich cultural heritage shaped by diverse religions and ethnic groups, Southeast Asia provides an unparallel context to experience people, places, and life that are vastly different from the western world. In order to provide you the opportunity for expanding your horizons of architecture and life, this program will take you to Thailand, Vietnam and Laos which shared a common cultural legacy that distinguishes them from the rest of the Southeast Asia. You will experience cultures and places that are based primarily on Buddhist, Hindu, and Confucian principles, influenced by Maoist thinking, and are strangely intermixed with colonial influences of the French and British and American interventionism, as well as with postcolonial globalization. You will be exploring both historic and modern architecture in this region, especially its imperial and vernacular architectural traditions and rapidly changing urbanscapes, which represent how these countries struggle to define a national identity while balancing historical roots with cosmopolitan influences and political ideologies with global economy.

Itinerary & Activities

Students will spend approximately five days in Thailand, eight days in Vietnam and four days in Laos. Most of the trip will consist of planned group activities along with some free time.

In Thailand, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sukhothai National Historic Park which displays urban planning, art, and architecture of the golden days of Thai history, during which a solid foundation for the formation of Thai nation was laid, and their current cosmopolitan capital city of Bangkok, where the Grand Palace of the Thai monarch is located along with the holiest temple of Thailand which houses the scared Emerald Buddha and other places of cultural importance. In Vietnam, you will have the opportunity for exploring the capital city of the country, Ha Noi, including its historic quarter and new cityscape as well as visit the mausoleum of ‘Uncle Ho’, the man who played a proxy, but a significant role in shaping the contemporary American politics and culture. You will also sail in the mystic lagoon of the Ha Long Bay, a well protected natural wonder of the world. Visits in Luang Prabang in Laos include tours to Pak Ou Cave Complex that displays a unique aspect of Laos culture and to the historic temples of Wat Visoun, Wat Mai, and Wat Aham that demonstrate the formation of distinctive traditional high-style architecture of Laos.

Program Director

Prof.Jae Chang (jdchang@ku.edu) and Prof. Kapila Silva (kapilads@ku.edu). Both are Assistant Professors in Architecture, and have extensive experience in the Asian cultural & architectural context.

Class Meetings

Preparatory Work:

Students will research about the history, culture, and architecture of Thailand, Vietnam and Laos and make presentations to the group before the trip. Students will also attend a special orientation program on these countries. Dates TBD.

Post-tour Work:

Presentations of the participants’ impressions of Southeast Asia will be presented in poster format at the SADP Gallery during the 2nd week of the Spring 2010 semester.

These activities are considered an integral part of the program and thus will count towards the final assessment of grades.

Credit & Eligibility

This course is open to all students in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

All students must take the course ARCH 690 Architecture Study Abroad for six credit hours for the program. Students may elect to take the course ARCH 692 Documentation for three credit hours. Arch 690 and Arch 692 for a total of nine hours fulfill the study abroad requirement for the School of Architecture, Design & Planning.

ARCH 690 Architecture Study Abroad (6 credit hours) Required

ARCH 692 Documentation (3 credit hours) Optional

Cost

Program Fee: $2,600

The program fee includes accommodations in double occupancy hotel rooms, ground transportation during program, most meals, cultural activities, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services, KU orientation, administrative costs, and visa fees.

Tuition and Fees: Estimated tuition and fees for 6 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $1,530.

*Actual expenses for KU students will vary by the student’s individual tuition compact or graduate student rates.

Estimated Additional Costs: International airfare and airfares in Southeast Asia ($1,600) Passport ($100), personal expenses ($300)

Note:

All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

For more information download the School of Architecture Study Abroad brochure.

Financial Aid

KU students who qualify for summer financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Pell or SEOG Grants, and scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.

Limited supplemental scholarships are available to KU undergraduates. Applications are available at the Office of Study Abroad. You can also download the scholarship application. The scholarship application deadline is October 1.

Application Procedures

Final Application Deadline: September 10, 2009

Applications are available in the KU Office of Study Abroad. You can also download the application.

(Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download an application. If your computer does not have Acrobat Reader you can download it for FREE.)

For more information contact:

The University of Kansas
Office of Study Abroad
Lippincott Hall
1410 Jayhawk Blvd. Room 108
Lawrence, KS 66045-7515

phone: 785-864-3742
fax: 785-864-5040
e-mail: osa@ku.edu