Joint minor: Modes of Existence: Architecture and Philosophy (MAP)

The minor Modes of Existence: Architecture and Philosophy (MAP) brings together students from various disciplines to explore fundamental questions about how people, technologies and environments are interconnected. In this minor, students from Leiden University, Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam collaborate with researchers and lecturers from a range of disciplines.

The minor focuses on exploring new perspectives on social and technological issues. By combining philosophical reflection with design and research methods, students develop a broader view of complex contemporary challenges.

Architecture and philosophy as a joint practice

In this minor, students explore how architects and philosophers can think together about the world in terms of different ‘modes of existence’: ways in which nature, technology, culture, science, politics and everyday life are interwoven.

By approaching urban environments relationally, as a network of processes, interactions and perspectives, students develop a broader and more critical view of the built environment.

From theory to design and research

The minor combines philosophical analysis with design-oriented and interdisciplinary research. Students study theoretical texts, take part in seminars and collaborate on projects in which conceptual ideas are translated into concrete forms of analysis, visualisation or design.

Through group work, workshops and presentations, students develop new ways of understanding and visualising complex urban and social issues.

Reasons to choose a Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minor:

LDE1. Joint education by three top-class universities.
2. Important societal challenges and new solutions.
3. Educators and students from different academic fields.
4. Cases by companies, governments and NGOs.
5. Expand your network in Leiden, Den Haag, Delft and Rotterdam.

More Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minors

What are the key features of the multidisciplinary Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minors?

  • Admission requirements: This Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minor is open to all students of Leiden University, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam, and students from the Netherlands.
  • Number of places: Although it varies according to the minor, between 40 and 90students can participate.
  • Language: This minor is taught in English, and Dutch will not be needed for this minor.
  • Credits: This is a 30 EC minor, offered in the first semester. It is possible to only follow the first block of 15 EC.
  • Location: The lectures and seminars are held in one or more of the following cities: Leiden, Delft, The Hague, Rotterdam.
  • Applications: You apply for a Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minor via eduXchange.
  • Selection: This is a non-selection minor.

Students about this minor:

Feike Smithuis, student of Architecture, sees the minor as a great enrichment to his studies: 'I missed a certain discussion about the meaning of what we are building. During the minor, you are given a proper framework to better understand architecture and also to better express certain feelings.' 

What he enjoyed most was sparring with the professors who constantly challenged the students. 'I found the minor really refreshing and Stavros and Andrej were super enthusiastic. It's too bad there are no recordings because otherwise, I would definitely have listened to them again!'

moe

During the course of the minor, Feike Smitshuis and a group of fellow students made a large terrarium and placed it on the Lijnbaan in Rotterdam. Through various peek holes, pedestrians were presented a dystopic image of the shopping street. 'We wanted to make something physical that evoked interaction, even if only for a moment. It's basically a small architectural intervention. This was really fun to do. I also enjoyed stepping out of the architecture bubble for a while and to be with students who have completely different perspectives.'

eduXchange