Philosophy (PHIL) 252 Critical Thinking (Revision 7)

Architecture (ARCH) 2XX
History of Ideas in Architecture 1: The Ancient World
Delivery mode:
Individualized study online (computer
component) & Internet.
Credits:
3- Architecture
Prerequisite:
None
Centre:
RAIC Centre for Architecture
This course is not available for challenge. Credit may be transferred for previous work
considered equivalent.
Overview:
This course examines the principles and ideas that shaped architecture and cities in the
ancient worlds of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and megalithic Europe, and in some later
survivals of them in Meso-America. The student will examine how those principles were
altered after c.600 BCE in classic Greece, Israel, Persia and India, and how the climax
and collapse of the Ancient world can be read in the architecture of Imperial Rome and
Ch’in (later Han) China. The course readings are directed to a selected set of buildings
of this period in order to understand the context of each, why it was built and the
important ideas behind its technology and design.
Outline:
• Unit 1 - Shaping Environments: The First Architecture
• Unit 2 - Great Shapes & Enduring Architecture: Antiquity to Present
• Unit 3 - Learning to See: The Greek Architectural Miracle
• Unit 4 - Early Ventures in Voids: c.400 to 100 BCE
. Unit 5 - Architectures of Power Imagery: c.200 BCE to c.200 CE
Learning Objectives:
• Understanding of the architectural canons and traditions in the architecture,
landscape and urban design of the ancient world, including the vernacular
traditions, as well as the climatic, technological, socioeconomic, and other
cultural factors that have shaped and sustained them.
• Ability to identify key events and architectural works of this period.
Evaluation:
To receive credit for this course you must achieve a minimum of C+ (67%) on the final
examination, and an overall grade of C+ (67%) for the entire course. The weightings for
the course activities are as follow:
Unit Assignments – 50% of grade
Final Examination – 50% of grade.
Course materials:
Required:
History Reader 1 (150 pages) is distributed by AU to students registered in the