Cuba's Cultural Heritage: The Magic and Poetry of its Architecture and Urbanism

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The Elective Course introduces students to Cuba's cultural heritage and the magic and poetry of its Architecture and Urbanism and its cross-cultural —European influence— and immediate regional background. The course explores the formation of a multiracial nation, and particularly the history and urban evolution of Havana, the country's capital city, and considers the key role of architecture in its ever-changing construction. Through a holistic approach, the students will learn and understand the distinct features—similarities, differences, and synchronicities— in the fields of art, architecture, and urbanism in Cuba, and examine how cultural identity has been a central organizing paradigm. A series of presentations will allow students to identify, recognize and discern the main features of Cuban architecture and urbanism and relate them to the universal culture. The Course will introduce students to the concept of cultural landscapes. Critical thinking will allow the students to relate research and theoretical content with historic preservation themes as well as practical design knowledge. The Course will focus on the study of Havana, Cuba's capital city and it will encompass the study of its past, its present and will even provide a vision for the future of Havana. The chronological study of Havana and its history and urban evolution will provide a comprehensive understanding of its rich heritage and cultural identity.