ARCH20003 Modern Architecture: MoMo to PoMo
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- No final exam: all coursework
- About 3 class hours a week
Is ARCH20003 hard?
ARCH20003: About average. Makes it easier: No final exam. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it takes a lot of time. The easier and harder points roughly balance out.
What you learn
Modern architecture and cities in the 1800s and 1900s, from the modern movement to postmodernism and beyond.
After it you can
- Trace the main movements of modern architecture
- Link buildings to politics, society and technology
- Write critical essays on architecture
What you need first
admission to B-DES and ARCH10004
What it leads to
- ABPL30053 Formative Ideas in Architecture
- ABPL30057 Asia Pacific Modernities
- ARCH30002 Design Studio Epsilon
- LARC30002 Interpreting Australian Landscape Design
- PLAN30005 Urban Precinct Studio
Can’t be taken together with
- ABPL30050
Careers
Helps toward: Landscape architect, Interior Designer, Graphic designer, Architect, Interaction designer, Performance designer, Service designer, User experience designer, Web and social media developer
How it’s assessed
Assignments 60%, Reports and essays 40%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 5 students on StudentVIP (2018–2020)
- Reviewers found it interesting and well taught, one calling it the best history subject in the course.
- The amount of content is very large, and doing well depends on essay writing and detailed notes on the weekly readings.
- Not recommended as a breadth unless you already know some architecture, since essays and exams expect its vocabulary.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate ARCH20003
Quick answers
- When is ARCH20003 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking ARCH20003?
- Needs admission to B-DES and ARCH10004.
- Does ARCH20003 have a final exam?
- No, there is no final exam. Assessment: Assignments 60%, Reports and essays 40%.
- Is ARCH20003 hard?
- From 5 student reviews on StudentVIP: Reviewers found it interesting and well taught, one calling it the best history subject in the course.
- What do students say about ARCH20003?
- Reviewers found it interesting and well taught, one calling it the best history subject in the course. The amount of content is very large, and doing well depends on essay writing and detailed notes on the weekly readings. Not recommended as a breadth unless you already know some architecture, since essays and exams expect its vocabulary.
- How many class hours a week does ARCH20003 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take ARCH20003 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science.
- What can I take after ARCH20003?
- 5 subjects need it first, for example ABPL30053, ABPL30057, ARCH30002, LARC30002.
- Can I rate ARCH20003?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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