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4.605

A Global History of Architecture

4-0-8 units. HASS-A · Undergraduate

Provides an outline of the history of architecture and urbanism from ancient times to the early modern period. Analyzes buildings as the products of culture and in relation to the special problems of architectural design. Stresses the geopolitical context of buildings and in the process familiarizes students with buildings, sites and cities from around the world. Additional work required of graduate students.

Spring 2012 · Introduction to the History and Theory of Architecture

This course is a global-oriented survey of the history of architecture, from the prehistoric to the sixteenth century. It treats buildings and environments, including cities, in the context of the cultural and civilizational history. It offers an introduction to design principles and analysis. Being global, it aims to give the student perspective on the larger pushes and pulls that influence architecture and its meanings, whether these be economic, political, religious or climatic.

Readings

  • Assigned readings for each lecture session are from the course textbook: Ching, Francis, Mark Jarzombek, and Vikram Prakash. A Global History of Architecture . 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2010. ISBN: 9780470402573.
    Listed reading
  • SES #: L2 · TOPICS: The Gravettians and the hunting tradition of the north · READINGS: pp. xi–xv.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L3 · TOPICS: The Holocene and the agro-pastoral emergence · READINGS: pp. 1–4.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L4 · TOPICS: Grains, animals and the village world · READINGS: pp. 5–16.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L5 · TOPICS: Cities, gods and empires · READINGS: pp. 17–51.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L7 · TOPICS: 1500 BCE: After the Cataclysm: Knossos and Karnak · READINGS: pp. 55–80.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L8 · TOPICS: 800 BCE: Iron and the New World Order: Greeks, Etruscans, Assyrians · READINGS: pp. 85–7, and 98–112.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L9 · TOPICS: 500 BCE: Persia and Central Asia · READINGS: pp. 113–45.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L10 · TOPICS: Fire, water and chariots · READINGS: pp. 93–7.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L11 · TOPICS: Buddhism: Out of India · READINGS: pp. 173–82, 214–8, and 235–43.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L12 · TOPICS: Chang’an · READINGS: pp. 148–50, 183–5, and 219–21.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L13 · TOPICS: Rome · READINGS: pp. 151–72.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L15 · TOPICS: The Americas · READINGS: pp. 52–4, 81–91, 222–8, 257–9, 264–7, 328–39, and 475–82.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L16 · TOPICS: Early Christian transitions · READINGS: pp. 229–56, and 268–75.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L17 · TOPICS: Early Islam: 800 CE · READINGS: pp. 293–327.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L18 · TOPICS: From Armenia to Borobudur · READINGS: pp. 276–92.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L19 · TOPICS: Early Hindu architecture · READINGS: pp. 340–55.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L20 · TOPICS: Southeast Asia and Angkor Wat · READINGS: pp. 392–7.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L21 · TOPICS: Gothic architecture: Cistercians & cathedrals · READINGS: pp. 362–78, and 417–25.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L22 · TOPICS: Late medieval Europe: Renaissance in perspective · READINGS: pp. 426–7, and 460–9.
    Reading assignment
  • SES #: L24 · TOPICS: Colonial worlds · READINGS: No readings assigned.
    Reading assignment
  • Ching, Francis, Mark Jarzombek, and Vikram Prakash. A Global History of Architecture . 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2010. ISBN: 9780470402573.
    Listed reading

Prerequisites & course information

Subject meets with 4.650 Prereq: None U (Spring) 4-0-8 units. HASS-A

Sources