Course syllabus

Arkitekturens teori och historia I
The Theory and History of Architecture I

ATHA01, 7 credits, G1 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2017/18
Decided by: PLED A
Date of Decision: 2017-03-28

General Information

Main field: Architecture.
Compulsory for: A1
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

The course aims to introduce an overview and awareness of the fundamental questions of architecture's theoretical and historical foundations; what an architect does, what architecture is, and how it can be examined analyzed and described. It also aims to train the ability to see and graphically describe an existing building. As the first in a series, the course will also convey the importance of an active and critical attitude towards architectural practice and architecture as a discipline.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

To be formally approved, the student must demonstrate that he/she:

• Is able to explain some main features of architectural and urban history.
• Is able to describe some basic methods of investigation, analysis and description of architecture and places.
• Has basic knowledge about searching literature and referencing.

 

 

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

To be formally approved, the student must demonstrate that he/she:

• Is able to perform basic architectural analysis.
• Is able to make a simple presentation, using the basic methods of architecture analysis, to describe an architectural work or site.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

To be formally approved, the student must demonstrate that he/she:

• Is able to demonstrate a basic awareness of architecture and the architectural profession's historical and theoretical context.

Contents

The course provides a basic orientation in the subject material - related to a timeline; where we will examine key architectural works, and investigate the associated body of architectural thinking; thereby providing an historical overview. The subsequent courses in architectural theory and history will make reference to the timeline identified in the initial course. At the same time contemporary architecture is introduced as a series of lectures and exercises: The course involves the study of selected key works; individual architectural works, building types and urban environments. The course examines fundamental questions with regard to the role and profession of the architect. We will in addition examine the evolution of the architectural profession. The fundamental tenets of architecture are described and discussed; with reference to both historical and current approaches. Analytical methods that can be used in the applied architecture courses, are introduced, practiced and discussed. The course includes lectures, seminars, practical exercises and writing tasks.

Examination details

Grading scale: UG - (U,G) - (Fail, Pass)
Assessment: To be formally approved, the student must attain a passing grade in all exercises, and maintain not less than 80% attendance at seminars, tutorials and lectures.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Admission

The number of participants is limited to: No

Reading list

• Conway, Hazel & Roenisch, Rowan: Understanding Architecture. Routledge, 2005, ISBN: 0-415-32059-3.
• Spector, Tom & Damron, Rebecca L.: How Architects Write. Routledge, 2012, ISBN: 9780415891073.
• Unwin, Simon: Analysing Architecture. Routledge, 2003, ISBN: 9780415306850. Reference.
• Farrelly, Lorraine: The Fundamentals of Architecture. AVA Publishing, 2012, ISBN: 978-2-940411-75-7. Reference.

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Mats Hultman, mats.hultman@arkitektur.lth.se