Elective Course
Credits: 3-0-3 (3 semester hours)
Type of Course: Seminar
Instructors: Richard Dagenhart
Prerequisites: None
Course Overview:This seminar focuses on the evolution of modern and contemporary architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning in three European cities and surrounds Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin. The primary purpose of this seminar is to provide students a platform from which to complete a rigorous study abroad experience, collectively and individually, based friend-hand observation of the most important examples of modern and contemporary architecture and urban planning in Europe.
Learning Objectives:
- Review research methods. Emphasis is placed on methods of structuring an argument, critical methods of evaluating architectural and urban constructs, and the relationship between conceptualization and building.
- Expand students understanding of the history of modern architecture and urbanism through close analysis of important buildings, urban projects, landscapes, as well as significant examples from the visual arts, including painting, drawings, sculpture, and film.
- Deepen the students understanding of the complex relationships of 20th Century architecture and urbanism to specific cultural settings, historical events, and political movements.
- Introduce the students to contemporary architecture and urbanism in Europe and their relationships to the century of modernism through graphic and written analysis of significant contemporary buildings, urban projects, and landscape.
Course Requirements:
- Class Participation = 30%
- Assignments - 30%
Each student is required to make 2 brief (10-15 minute) presentations during class time. Throughout the term students will prepare six (6) 8 ½ x 11 analytiques as described in the attached handout and distribute copies to the entire class at the scheduled time and will present at least one question for discussion.
- Final paper - 40%
Students will submit an architectural itinerary of 20 pages and an independent research proposal in expectation of their European experience. The theme of the inquiry should have some theoretical insight or respond to a specific interest – i.e. specific period or style, sacred spaces, spaces of production, public buildings, parks, architecture and literature, etc. A minimum of 10 places will be identified. A minimum of 2 pages will accompany each place.