Elective Course
Credits: 3-0-3 (3 semester hours)
Type of Course: Seminar
Instructors: Robert M. Craig
Prerequisites: None
Course Overview
This seminar investigates the architecture of Atlanta and provides an opportunity to engage in original research on selected topics concerning the city's architects, buildings, and development. Lectures and class discussions will deal with both historic and contemporary structures in the city, and provide an overview of selected periods of the city’s architectural history. Some readings will be assigned to complement Lectures, but our major research resource will be the city and its architecture. The focus of research will vary each semester and will normally concentrate on a building type, or a selected period usually limited to a decade or two. Spring 2007 research will focus on topics related to the upcoming Centennial of the Architecture Program (AY1908/9 - 2008/9), in particular the sculpture of Julian Hoke Harris [ex: front of Arch. Bldg] and the work of Bush-Brown, Gailey, and Heffernan.
Learning Objectives
The course seeks to provide a general knowledge of the city’s architecture, to familiarize students with published studies in book and article form dealing with Atlanta architecture and architects, and to introduce students to various methods of primary research in the field of Atlanta architecture. Research exercises utilizing resources at the Atlanta History Center archives, the Architecture Library at Georgia Tech, Georgia Tech Archives, and other venues will support primary and secondary research contributing to our knowledge in the field and build the resource base for current and future research projects. Projects will teach students how to utilize Sanborn Insurance maps, Atlanta City Directories, building permits, etc. to date buildings and obtain information about original clients, homeowners, builders/architects, etc. Effort will also be made to provide experiences which will improve a student's research and writing skills with intended benefit to the thesis experience or to the student’s scholarship in general.
The class will meet twice weekly for Lectures or discussion of student projects. One Saturday meeting at the Archives of the Atlanta History Center will also take place. Student work outside class will involve the occasional complementary readings, but mostly independent research in the city, Arch. Library, or at other city library/archival resources.
Course Requirements
Students will prepare four monographs (one each month) including a research report and folder containing original data obtained from newspapers, journals, books., articles, the Blue Prints, and other relevant publications including selected projects of sculptor Julian Harris (20% and 25%); and selected buildings by Bush Brown & Gailey or Bush-Brown, Gailey & Heffernan (20% and 25%). Selected projects will be presented in class. Class attendance and participation will account for the remaining 10% of the course grade.
Texts and General Readings:
- Robert M. Craig, Atlanta Architecture: Art Deco to Modern Classic, 1929-1959
- Elizabeth Stanfield, et. al. From Plantation to Peachtree: A Century and a Half of Classic Atlanta Homes
- Dana F. White and Timothy J. Crimmins, The Atlanta Historical Journal XXVI, 2-3 (Summer-Fall, 1982)
- Miscell chapters and essays from Atlanta History: A Journal of Georgia and the South, SECAC Review, Southern Homes, Masters theses, and other scholarly and popular journals.