Course syllabus for History of architecture

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-13 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameArkitekturhistoria
  • CodeACE250
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKARK
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyArchitecture
  • ThemeEnvironment 1.5 c
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 45118
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0123 Written and oral assignments 7.5 c
Grading: UG		3 c4.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites


Aim

The course gives the students an introduction to the theory and history of architecture and intends to provide an overview of architectural history, architectural theory, as well as the development of the architectural profession through history. The course is mainly about the Western history of architecture from antiquity till today. Architecture is highlighted and interpreted in the context of art, technology and society, including sustainability and gender aspects. The aim is for the students to develop a historical awareness that provides a frame of reference in their dialogue with the surrounding world and an awareness of history as a source of knowledge and inspiration in their future practice.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  1. Describe the history of architecture using important concepts and theories as well as examples of architects, buildings and town plans.
  2. Describe how the role of professional architect has developed through history and which foundations the architectural profession rests on.
  3. Describe the historical changes regarding aesthetic ideals, materials, technology, construction, gender and sustainability.
  4. Present a basic overview of the traits of the development of architecture from antiquity to today with a focus on the Western history of architecture, account for the most important periods in architectural history and place them in a general historical context.
  5. Be able to reflect upon, discuss and evaluate contemporary architectural design from a historic perspective.
  6. Reflect upon the challenge of global sustainability from a historic perspective, and in relation to the contemporary and future architectural practice.

Content

The course introduces the subject of architectural history and continues with a series of lectures that give an overview of the Western theory and history of architecture from antiquity till today, with special attention given to certain elements and periods. The students are also given an introduction how to search for information through sources in the ACE library and digital databases. Furthermore, the students are introduced working with tools of graphic design.

Organisation

The course is based on lectures, reading, seminars and exercises. The course literature is read in parallel with lectures and is discussed and reflected upon in seminars, as well as through group and individual exercises. As a part of the course there is a study visit at the ACE library where the students will get an introduction to searching information through literature and other sources. The course ends with a moment of reflection on the subject and its relation to the architectural practice.

Literature

Michael Fazio, Marian Moffett, Lawrence Wodehouse, A World History of Architecture. 3: e revid uppl, London: Laurence King, 2013.

Reference books :
Fredric Bedoire, Den svenska arkitekturens historia. 1000-1800. Stockholm: Norstedt,
Fredric Bedoire, Den svenska arkitekturens historia. 1800-2000. Stockholm: Norstedt, 2015
Claes Caldenby (red.), 1900-talets svenska arkitektur. Att bygga ett land. Stockholm: Arkitekturmuseet, 1998.
Claes Caldenby, Erik Nygaard (red.), Arkitekturteoriernas historia, Stockholm: Formas, 2011.

Further literature is announced at the start of the course.

Examination including compulsory elements

Examination takes place through
  • ­ Assignments that correspond to 7.5 credits
  • ­ Obligatory reflection
  • ­ Active participation in the course
Submission requirements and compulsory moments are announced at the start of the course.

A student who is not approved in the course after the regular examination must be given the opportunity to be examined through supplementation after the end of the course if the examiner considers it feasible. If, after two attempts at completion, the student still cannot be approved, the student must retake the course. Assessment of completions takes place during Chalmers' re-examination periods. It is the student's responsibility to check reported study results in Ladok after each study period and to contact the course examiner for instructions on supplementation if an approved result is missing.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.