Overview
ARCH 354: History and Theory of Modernism examines the history and theory associated with Modern architecture from the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. You will examine gradual erasure of historical symbolism and its replacement with functional approaches intended to address new social issues in architecture. Critical writings are resources to discover different cultural and ideological approaches to Modernism in Europe and North America.
Outline
This course consists of nine units:
- Unit 1: Re-interpreting Historical Traditions
- Unit 2: The Modern Movement and Anti-Ornament
- Unit 3: New Responses to Site
- Unit 4: New Technique, Materials and Visions
- Unit 5: Organic Design Approaches
- Unit 6: The Purpose of Manifestos
- Unit 7: The Responsibility for Housing
- Unit 8: Industry and Commerce
- Unit 9: Modernism Outside of Europe
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- identify and describe the main concepts of the Modern movement and its chief proponents.
- explain the design criteria applicable to 20th century architecture in their relation to major events.
- analyze how new planning processes were related to new materials, site, and structural processes.
- discuss the relationship between architecture and the written word.
- explore the relationship between architectural theory and practice.
- describe architectural styles in terms of economic status, social hierarchies, and claims about group identity.
- explain Modernism’s spread outside of Europe.
Evaluation
To receive credit for ARCH 354, you must achieve a minimum overall grade of C+ (67%) for the entire course.
The weightings for the course activities are as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Unit 1 - Assignment 1 | 10% |
| Unit 2 - Assignment 2 | 15% |
| Unit 3 - Assignment 3 | 10% |
| Unit 4 - Assignment 4 | 10% |
| Unit 5 - Assignment 5 | 15% |
| Unit 6 - No Assignment | |
| Unit 7 - Assignment 6 | 15% |
| Unit 8 - Assignment 7 | 15% |
| Unit 9 - Assignment 8 | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Tozer, W. R. E. (2011). A theory of making: Architecture and art in the practice of Adolf Loos. [Doctoral dissertation, University College London]. UCL Discovery. https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1331912/
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Mallgrave, H. F. (Ed.). (2006). Architectural theory volume I: An anthology from Vitruvius to 1870. Blackwell.
Mallgrave, H. F., & Contandriopoulos, C. (Eds.). (2008). Architectural theory volume II: An anthology from 1871 to 2005. Blackwell.
Colquhoun, A. (2002). Modern architecture. Oxford University Press.