This course promotes an understanding of 20th-century architecture interms of cultural pluralism and questions the homogeneous nature of the "International Style". It highlights the diversity in architectural debates and situates them in the context of different political agendas, multicultural histories and cultural traditions. The class will discuss the modernists' increasing interest in the "Orient" and its impact on architectural production, as well as the search for modern architecture that would reflect "national" identity. Examples to be studied include Le Corbusier's Journey to the East (a record of his travels from Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade to Istanbul and Athens), which demonstrates how Le Corbusier's encounters of the "East" and Islam had a formative influence on some of his most famous works. The architectural and landscape designs of the Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik, including Prague Castle and the urban designs for the Slovenian capitol Ljubljana, will show how his interest in the "roots of Western civilization" and Roman architecture suggested an alternative path in modernism. Architecture in the cities of Sarajevo, Vienna and Istanbul will also be studied. Assessment is based on a textual and visual study of a selected architectural, landscape or design project.