Peter Waldman is such an interesting person. This class is worth taking just to have him. You won't understand anything at first, and there's a lot of writing, which could make it difficult, but this is a class like no other at UVa. I believe it also fulfills the second writing requirement, so it seems truly useful for anyone to take.

don't take if you're not a major

breezee

Do not take unless you are an architecture student. Waldman is extremely quirky and his classes are out of this world. Very interesting if you are an architecture major- definitely won't forget this class. Weekly assignments due every monday that are labor intensive and require a lot of writing/diagraming.

Very interesting class, there is a lot of writing. Only take if you are interested in Architecture.

Waldman is awesome. Don't take if you're not doing architecture though.

This is an absolutely crazy class. The best way to do well in it is to accept it, embrace it, and try to develop a mindset that is fed by it. Honestly the weirder you are, the better off you are. Waldman is super nice, and truly provides you with a unique perspective.

Waldman is a really interesting guy, but make sure you have a stellar attention span during the class; daze off for just a second and you'll have no clue what's going on when you come back to reality (or rather, in this class, fantasy). Waldman contorts the truth sometimes to make things seem perhaps more profound than they may actually be. Lectures (along with readings) are essentially just information that allow you to write your weekly paper, anywhere from 3 to 8 pages depending on the week, which are graded by TAs. They are extremely helpful in honing your writing, diagramming, and observational skills. Overall a great class that focuses on architecture through a Romantic rather than pragmatic lens.

Waldman teaches you to be the worst possible stereotype of architects. The reason everyone hates architects is because most of them are like him. What he teaches you has nothing to do with architecture, it is more of a philosophy class based on an acid trip he had a few years ago. You have to take it to be in the A-school, so most of you are screwed, but do not let it change how you think. Architecture used to be a respected field, don't let that change because of a class.

Great class if you want to be an Architect. Too much work for dabblers.