Charles H. Wright Museum (Detroit, MI)

Fields of study:

1. Spatial analysis
2. African American History
3. Museum Studies
4. Safe infrastructure practices
5. Sociology
6. Psychology
7. Urban Planning
8. Organizational leadership
9. History preservation

ARCH 521: Structures and Social Justice

The preservation of history is essential to humanity’s progress but perhaps just as important is the design of a proper structure to facilitate the viewing of our nation’s history in a way that allows for a human connection across time. Although the primary task of the architect is to understand the design elements of a structure, perhaps just as important is to understand the items and activities that will take place inside of that structure. It is impossible to detail the design of a building without knowing the rich history that it will house and the equal impact that the surrounding world has on the relationship between the building and its function. This course will give an in-depth look at the role that architecture play in civil rights movements and how the spaces around us have aided the advancement of social justice movements. Our case study will take us through Detroit’s rich history in regards to the abolition movement and the preservation of historic artifacts that detail the progression of civil rights as we know it today. With a special focus on the role of museums, we will gain better insight into the role of architecture in regards to historic events.