Professor: Malone Course format: Lecture w/section Number of respondents: 64 Total Enrollment: 102 Class Composition: Froshs: 11 Sophs: 28 Jrs: 33 Srs: 30 Concs: 12 Non-Concs: 46 Don't Know: 2

Instructor Average: 1.67 Course Average: 1.76

This course, as is hinted by the title, addresses the question of how the "built environment" affects society. This is a broad topic by nature, encompassing architecture, engineering, urban planning, and urban sociology. The course also considered changes in these areas over the past three centuries. There are no prerequisites.

Reactions to Professor Malone and his teaching style ranged, in general, somewhere between appreciation and awe. He was considered funny, informative, engaging, and very passionate about the subject, which in turn made it exciting for most. In fact, one student noted that "I just love to hear Malone talk about stuff (i.e., reinforced concrete)."

The class was held in a slide lecture format. The few students who found themselves uninterested in the material complained, of all things, that this was inducive to sleep. Vastly greater numbers, however, loved the format, and in turn complained that slide lectures were underutilized at Brown. The slides were Professor Malone"s own, which ensured that he was extremely well-informed about them. Readings for the course were alternately considered very good and boring, depending on the interests of their readers. Overall, the class does not require a large amount of work, although a large notebook is recommended for the enormous amount of notes you will be taking. Students spent about three hours weekly preparing for this course. Requirements consisted of a take-home midterm and in-class final, as well as an optional final paper. Sections were also optional, but students recommended attending them.

Some interest in the subject matter is necessary if you want to enjoy this course. You will apparently be hearing about reinforced concrete quite a bit. But the class was really loved by most who took it. It has practical value, too: as one student pointed out, "I can look out from Prospect Park enlightened".

View AC/0152 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.