History of Art and Architecture VII

Abstract

Imagining History and Inventing ArchitectureThis class studies Antiquity and the Middle Ages through their reception since the Renaissance. We will investigate the role of history for architects then and now by analyzing how architecture has been defined in relationship to the past. The course includes short critical reading and writing assignments (in coordination with studio deadlines).

Objective

Deepen basic knowledge, improve ability to critically analyze architectural history texts, develop humanities-based reasoning and argument skills, especially persuasive writing

Content

Antiquity and Medieval: Imagining History and Inventing Architecture In the Renaissance, the practice of architecture fundamentally transformed into the design-based discipline it is now largely assumed to be. Both then and especially in nineteenth- and twentieth-century architectural history, this change was understood in opposition to “good” ancient and “bad” medieval models. This course investigates Antiquity and the Middle Ages as variously fashioned in the mind of the architect and the architectural historian. How does our understanding of these periods inform our thinking about the use of history for the contemporary architect? This course is a combination lecture, writing, and discussion class: one brief text per week will be read at home and discussed in the course meeting. Short critical writing assignments will be assigned in the first half of the semester, and the final assignment is a short paper due during the January exam period. Written assignments will be scheduled to accommodate studio deadlines, and may be completed in English, German, French, or Italian. Active in-class participation is required.

Resources