Introduction to the History of Western Architecture ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

Developing a student’s historical perspective, this course surveys the history of Western architecture and society from ancient times to the present. For this broad time frame, you will learn critical thinking skills about some of the major buildings and monuments, architects and major architectural styles in Western civilization. Your study, exploration, reading and viewing, plus the feedback you receive on posts and papers will introduce you to and develop your ability to: 1) Engage in the formal analysis of a building to enhance your artistic perspectives. 2) Develop the capacity to decipher relevant primary source texts and images as an introduction to artistic theory. 3) Understand the historical and social context of a building program, building, building complex and/or building site. 4) Analyze differing historical interpretations of a building program, building and/or monument. 5) Present papers on assigned questions whereby you synthesize your own thoughts while summarizing relevant scholarship, primary sources and formal analysis in order to enhance your critical thinking and research skills. This course was previously ART-221434 Introduction to the History of Western Architecture.