The course examines a cross-section of significant movements and practitioners in contemporary Japanese architecture. Material is considered from the point of view of "interaction", and the cross-fertilization which takes place in a global setting. The intention of the course is to present this material from a Japanese critical perspective with an eye to gaining an understanding of different modes of cross-cultural encounter. The course offers an introduction to relevant and contemporary work, and promotes critical engagement with the implications of globalization and difference. Architects studied include Ando, Seijima, Yamamoto, Takasaki, Takamatsu and others. Material is presented as electronic seminars.