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2017　History of Architecture

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Academic unit or major
Graduate major in Architecture and Building Engineering
Instructor(s)
Stewart David-Butler 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon3-4(緑が丘1号館3階　M314)  Thr1-2(緑が丘1号館3階　M314)  
Group
-
Course number
ARC.D401
Credits
2
Academic year
2017
Offered quarter
1Q
Syllabus updated
2017/3/17
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
Access Index

Course description and aims

This course is offered in seminar format, and covers a different topic from the 20th and 21st century each year. The language of instruction is English. Most but not all participants are M1-level Japanese students from the Department of Architecture or international students in architecture (degree- or research-based). Students from any other department are most welcome, if they possess the requisite level of English-language skills. Participation by students from diverse fields is desirable, including for oral and written presentations.
The aim of the seminar is to explore topics of architecture or city-planning in more depth and in critical ways that could not be effectively achieved in a pure lecture format.
Aims of the course are:
a) Increasing one's knowledge of lesser known events from the history of architecture and urban planning.
b) Providing an opportunity for doing written and oral presentations on different design methods and approaches, and differences of opinion about historical achievements.
c) Broadening the ability of each student, at his or her own pace, to exchange information in English with many fellow students using practical and effective methods.

Student learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have made progress in the following:
a) Acquiring self-confidence in approaching and researching possibly remote topics or ideas about building and planning history in the modern and postmodern eras.
b) Designing and presenting one or more brief PPTs (or equivalent graphic presentations) that communicate their research aims and results with respect to a chosen aspect of the topic under consideration.
c) Consolidating new knowledge about past architects and their works with their own current aims and philosophies concerning architecture and the built environment.

Keywords

architectural history, planning history, history of technology, historical assessment skills, building description, role of the architect, social basis of architecture

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills ✔ Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Weekly attendance is compulsory. Discussions pick up from the previous class, and therefore classes must not be missed. There is a fair amount of reading. There is not much homework, but timely submission is expected, which means the instructor can respond individually to student questions, including corrections.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Guidance and recent topics (the topic is changed every year), introduction to related materials. Homework
Class 2 Research topics change every year, so there is no fixed schedule with detailed course content. Many classes are composed of discussions in classrooms using books and video materials, and oral presentations by students using visual materials. Idem.
Class 3 Idem. Idem.
Class 4 Idem. Idem.
Class 5 Idem. Idem.
Class 6 Idem. Idem.
Class 7 Idem. Idem.
Class 8 Idem. Idem.
Class 9 Idem. Idem.
Class 10 Idem. Idem.
Class 11 Idem. Idem.
Class 12 Idem. Idem.
Class 13 Idem. Idem.
Class 14 Idem. Idem.
Class 15 This final class will be a wrap-up intended to set the semester's topic or architectural figure in historical and contemporary perspective. Idem.

Textbook(s)

Depending on the topic in a given year, there is usually no underlying course textbook. When available, a reasonably priced English-language text will be signalled and required for purchase. Occasionally, a book may also be suggested for optional purchase.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Materials are student-devised PPTs, journal reprints and/ or PDFs. It is suggested that each student bring a laptop computer or handheld device able to connect with the Internet..

Assessment criteria and methods

Assessment is based on active class participation, individual classroom presentations, and homework assignments. There is no final examination or report.

Related courses

  • the history of Japanese architecture
  • the history of western architecture
  • the history of modern architecture

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Any other course in architectural or planning history, whether dealing with Western or Japanese building history. No other related course is overseen however by this instructor.

Other

nothing

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