PREREQUISITES

None

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS

Optional Software (free): Google Earth to view locations of sites and buildings.

https://www.google.com/earth/

Materials:

Computer with Internet access

Textbook:

Ching, Francis, Mark Jarzombek, and Vikram Prakash. A Global History of Architecture. 3rd ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2017 ISBN-13: 978-1118981337

ISBN-10: 1118981332    *This book is also available to rent from Amazon.*

COURSE RATIONALE

This class is offered through the Architectural and Engineering Computer Aided Design Department of Austin Community College and is a Core Curriculum class and is a required class for the Associate in Science degree in Architecture. This is an online course conducted through Blackboard. The course will include written and visual assignments, field explorations and online quizzes and tests to integrate course content.

This course is structured towards those who will be applying the content in everyday life - both to those students looking to pursue a formal education in architecture to become practicing professionals, as well as those who are wanting to better understand and appreciate their relationship to buildings, cities and place. Because of this, the focus is on making historic examples of significant architecture relevant, compelling, and meaningful to today's context. To do this, there is a focus on the idea of place and how we relate to space through three levels of engagement from small to large scale: human (individual) experience, social constructs and environmental factors.

Starting with the individual level, global philosophies and architectural theories help us discuss the emotional, physical and intellectual connections we have with place. Social level constructs of technology, political and religion are one remove from the individual and greatly affect the way we relate to the built environment in very significant material and monetary ways. At the largest scale, how we think about the environment, respond to its climate and understand our place in it determines how we construct our spaces in it.

Students will develop a working definition of place and apply it to historic work in order to better understand not only the work, but also the building blocks to create new works that create appropriate and evolving moments of place. The goal is to gain a working understanding of each level of relationship to better control these factors in everyday practice.

COURSE DESCRIPTION (3 credit hours – distance learning)

Part one of a survey of the history of world architecture from pre-history to the present. This course focuses on the period from pre-history through 1600s CE.

Course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria:

• A.7 History and Global Culture:

Understanding of the parallel and divergent histories of architecture and the cultural norms of a variety of indigenous, vernacular, local, and regional settings in terms of their political, economic, social, ecological, and technological factors.

Transferability of courses varies. Students interested in transferring courses to another college should speak with their Area of Study (AoS) advisor, Department Chair, and/or Program Director.

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

The calendar below is a tentative schedule of topics. See Blackboard for latest schedule of activities by week. Note that the schedule is subject to change depending on the pace of the course. In order to finish the semester promptly, please finish projects by the target dates.  The last day of the semester is noted on Blackboard, and no projects will be accepted after that date. Note also that if projects are not submitted by the due date in class, points will be deducted or special submission instructions may apply and you will need to consult with the instructor. Readings listed are from the textbook and will be supplemented by readings posted on Blackboard. Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement (or other resource faculty is using to communicate).”

Unit            Lecture Topic                                                                 Textbook Reading