ART 544
HISTORY OF AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE
Art 544. History of American Architecture (AH)
Three hours lecture (3).
The study of American architecture emphasizing the international and multicultural influences on the design of various styles, as well as the social, technological, and environmental forces affecting that design.
The course is designed for art students and as a humanities elective for students in other majors. It fulfills a General Education requirement. Emphasis is on the styles and structural systems of American architecture from pre-contact Native American to the present day. In addition to high-style buildings, folk buildings will be discussed. Historic preservation issues will be addressed when relevant to the buildings under discussion. The following styles will be covered:
This is a lecture course, but class participation in the analysis of works of art is encouraged. Slides of the art under discussion will be projected onto a large screen to provide all students with a clear visual image of each work of art. Many slides will be shown in class and on tests which are not in the texts for this course. Therefore, it is essential for students to attend each class. An occasional film will be shown to allow a more in-depth study of a specific topic.
Students are expected to attend class. By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class will be conducted in strict observance of the Honor Code. Students are referred to the Student Handbook for details.
At the conclusion of the course, the students will be able to:
1. discuss characteristics of American architecture.
2. analyze a work of architecture with regard to style and function.
3. use the necessary vocabulary and apply basic concepts associated with the study of architecture in discussion and writing.
4. recognize the basic stylistic characteristics of American architecture from Colonial times to the present.
5. identify major buildings and architects of American architecture.
6. define the role of architects within the cultural, political, and sociological context of the times.
7. recognize some of the problems and solutions of historic preservation.
The final grade is based upon a midterm, a final exam, an essay, and an architectural drawing. (The architectural drawing assignment does not require the student to be an art major to succeed.) A field exercise might also be required. There are no make-ups. If the student does not take an exam he or she will receive a grade of zero. The midterm and final exam will consist of slide identification, short answer, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and an essay on a single work of art or a comparison of two works of art.
There are no extra credit options for this course.
If the student has a learning disability recognized by the Disabled Student Services Office at Radford University, he or she should advise the professor of the nature of the disability during the first week of class.
Tape recording of class lectures is not permitted unless the student has a learning disability recognized by Radford University and the professor receives a formal request from the Disabled Student Services Office. At his or her discretion, the professor may allow tape recording under other special circumstances.
DATE ACTION APPROVED BY
March 1999 Revision Arthur Jones, Chair