fall 2005
ARC 318L:
History of Architecture Survey II: 1200-1800
Description
This is the second course in the School of Architecture's three-part introduction to the history of architecture. The course considers architecture and urbanism as cultural enterprises. Architecture can be interpreted neither through pragmatic considerations alone nor by exclusive resort to abstract formalisms. Pragmatic, formal and still other factors of architecture must be examined within the cultural context in which they emerge, with the awareness that our reception of history is inevitably inflected by our own present-day historical horizon.
Therefore, beyond the rigorous consideration of historiographic facts per se, our effort will not be geared towards the uncovering of some immutable truth supposedly residing in the architectural object independently from the interpreter's own historical consciousness. Rather, we will be dwelling on that peculiar "excess of meaning" the architectural artifact is capable of yielding when exposed anew to contemporary interpretation. Our approach will therefore tend to consider architecture as spatial, tectonic and social enterprises, all of which are architectural concepts created in our own time.
The primary ambition of such critical approach will be to allow the student to lucidly engage the historical material as a living and relevant source of both knowledge and inspiration for her or his contemporary history / design enterprises.
The course will trace major, selected themes in architecture between the Tenth and Nineteenth Centuries.Educational Objectives
- Establish chronological and thematic frameworks upon which more advanced study of architecture may be based.
- Develop skills of description and analysis.
- Develop basic skills for research in architectural history.
Texts [subject to modification]
- Spiro Kostof, A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals (New York: Oxford University Press). Any edition.
- Dora P. Crouch and June G. Johnson, Traditions in Architecture: Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001).
Recommended for Purchase
John Fleming, Hugh Honour, Nikolaus Pevsner, The Penguin Dictionary of Architecture. Any edition.
Reader
A readings packet will be available from the textbook department of the University Coop.
Undergraduate Evaluation
Grades will be based on mid-term and final examinations, three essays on directed topics, a quiz, and a research project presented at the public poster session described below. Evaluations will be represented by a cumulative point system with letter grades determined as a percentage of a given score. Thus, a score of 40 on a 50-point assignment is 80%, a B-; a semester total of 473 out of the possible 525 is 90%, an A-.
Section Assignments & Attendance : 50 points
Short Papers
Date TBA : 50 points
Date TBA : 50 points
Quiz
Date TBA : 25 points
Midterm Examination
Date TBA : 100 points
Research Project Statement
Date TBA : 25 points
Research Presentation
Date TBA : 100 points
Final Examination
Monday, 13 December, 2:00pm : 125 points
Total : 525 points
Section Assignments & Attendance
Short exercises will be assigned on occasion in the sections. We expect regular attendance. Students with more than two unexcused absences will be penalized the 50 points attached to the section grade. If you have to miss your regular section, you may attend another offered that week, but you will be responsible for identifying yourself to the teaching assistants and completing assigned work.
Examinations and Quiz
The mid-term and final examinations will have similar formats. Each will have six buildings to compare and analyze and a few essay questions. The accent will not be put on identification of buildings (they will be identified for you) but on an informed, intelligent analysis. The quiz is intended to help you evaluate your preparation for the mid-term examination.
Short Papers and Research Project
TBA
Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (physical or cognitive) who requires academic accommodations should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities area of the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259 as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations. We will do our best to work with you.