Revised 08/2024

ARC 200 - History of Architecture (4 CR.)

Course Description

Surveys architecture from ancient times to the 19th century with emphasis on philosophy of design, form, and structure. Lecture 4 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

To acquaint the student with the relationship between culture and Architecture and familiarize them with the great buildings of Western Civilizations.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

First and second year students.

Course Objectives

This survey will enable the student to:

  • Appraise and identify the effects of culture, technology and place on the Architecture of Western Civilizations
  • Identify the organizing concepts in form, space and structure of the great buildings of Ancient Civilizations
  • Identify the organizing concepts in form, space and structure of the great buildings of Medieval Civilizations
  • Identify the organizing concepts in form, space and structure of the great buildings of the Renaissance
  • Identify the organizing concept in form, space and structure of the great buildings of the Baroque period

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Introduction: Architecture at the intersection of culture, technology and place
  • Ancient Civilizations
    • Egypt
    • Mesopotamia
    • Aegean
    • Roman
  • Christianity and Islam’s impact on the Architecture of Medieval Civilizations
    • Early Christian & Byzantine
    • Carolingian & Islamic
    • Romanesque & Gothic
  • Humanism and Scientific Discovery’s effect on the Architecture of Renaissance and Baroque Europe
    • Italian Early and High Renaissance
    • Northern Renaissance
    • Baroque and Rococo