VAFW190 History of American Furniture
Department of Arts and Communication: Woodworking
- I. Course Number and Title
- VAFW190 History of American Furniture
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- Museum trip is recommended. This course meets the General Education requirement for Arts/Humanities.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- Students analyze American furniture in the context of craft, elements of style, connoisseurship, historical influences, connections to European and Eastern traditions, socio-economics, regionalism, pattern books, and related domestic architecture.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- identify furniture craft traditions;
- describe key elements of historical furniture styles using specific vocabulary;
- describe key elements of historical architecture styles using specific vocabulary;
- explain various historical and cultural contexts related to furniture design; and
- identify key primary documents used by furniture historians (e.g., probate inventories, pattern books, prints, photographs, trade catalogues, etc.).
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
This course examines American furniture and architecture representing the following historical styles: Jacobean (including "Mannerism"); William and Mary ("Early Baroque"); Queen Anne ("Late Baroque"); Chippendale ("Rococo"); Federal ("Adamesque Neoclassicism"); Empire ("Napoleonic Neoclassicism"); Gothic Revival and Rococo Revival; Renaissance Revival; "Eastlake," Aesthetic Movement and Exoticism; Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau; Shaker and Pennsylvania German Furniture; and 20th-Century Design. As appropriate, each of these furniture styles is explored in the context of craft traditions, descriptive analysis, historical and cultural influences, and available primary documents. Examples of domestic architecture related to these furniture styles are also explored. -
Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
- required exams that include essay questions
- required paper
- optional quizzes
- optional writing assignments
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Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Learning materials may include, but are not limited to: slides, video, digital media, audio, lectures, and demonstrations.
Instructor-selected textbook. See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date - 2/05; Revised 02/2011; Pre-req added 12/2014; New Core 8/2015; Revised: 1/3/2022; Revised: 4/18/23; Revised 3/5/2024