HIST198 History: American Architecture
Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Historic Preservation
- I. Course Number and Title
- HIST198 History: American Architecture
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- None
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
-
This course meets the General Education requirement for Arts & Humanities.
Students may be required to take an individual and/or group field trip.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This course surveys four centuries of American architecture. The work of architects and the evolution of architectural styles are examined as a reflection of broader historical trends. Through observation, description, and analysis, students build their visual literacy skills and architectural vocabulary to recognize and interpret a building's historic character.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
-
-
Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- describe buildings, structures, and/or landscapes significant to American history using basic architectural terms;
- distinguish among utilitarian, vernacular, and "high style" architectural forms by identifying physical traits, use and development patterns, and/or construction motivations behind them;
- utilize appropriate architectural vocabulary to identify and describe the character-defining aspects of a historic building and its architectural fabric, systems, and/or components;
- evaluate how faithfully a building reflects the typical features of an architectural style through an analysis of its form, structure, style, and/or ornamentation; and
- contextualize continuity and change in the built environment within larger trends of politics, economics, social interactions, culture, and/or technology in American history [Arts & Humanities].
-
Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
The following thematic topics will be incorporated into the course:
- Architects, Architecture, and the Built Environment
- Character-Defining Aspects of Historic Buildings
- Utilitarian, Vernacular, High Style Architecture
- Architecture as Historical and Cultural Artifact
- Building in Native America
- Architectural Transplantations in the New World
- Ancient Inspiration for Colonies and a New Country
- Here and There: Meaning in the Urban and Suburban
- A Search for Order: Skyscrapers and Urban Planning
- What's Old is New Again: Colonial "Survival" and the Meaning of American Modernity
- New Architectural Visions for a Post-War World
- Selected Styles to be Highlighted:
- European Transplantations of the 16th and 17th Centuries
- Neoclassicism: Georgian & Federal
- Revival & Romanticism: Greek, Roman, Gothic, Italianate
- Victoriana: Second Empire, Stick, Queen Anne, Shingle, Romanesque
- Eclecticism: Beaux Arts, Revivals, Neo-Neoclassicism
- Arts & Crafts, Sullivanesque, Prairie, American Four-Square, Bungalow
- Modern: International, Art Moderne, Art Deco, Vernacular & Mid-Century Modernism
- Postmodernism
- Tomorrow's History: 21st Century Architecture
-
Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Attainment of course learning goals may be assessed by one or more of the following:
- Written assignments
- Discussion responses
- Quizzes
- Case study analyses
- Research-based reports
- Field experiences
- Presentations
-
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
See course syllabus.
-
Review/Approval Date - 2/99; New Core 8/2015;Updated 3/2020; Revised 3/2021; Revised: 10/11/22