Course Title: Architecture History Introduction

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Architecture History Introduction

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ARCH1023

City Campus

Undergraduate

315H Architecture & Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013

ARCH1023

City Campus

Undergraduate

320H Architecture & Urban Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Anna Jankovic

Course Coordinator Phone: by email

Course Coordinator Email: anna.jankovic@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

ARCH1023 Architecture History Introduction: Modernism and Modernity introduces you to the diverse developments of western architecture from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century, examining the theoretical, historical and cultural contexts of the discipline. This course introduces you to influential architectural projects, theoretical writings and design practices from across this period. The course addresses the shifting attitudes towards historical sources, precursors to modernism and the conditions of modernity. The course also selectively addresses pre-eighteenth century periods that were the source for subsequent revival movements. A range of modern architectural debates and problematics are addressed, situating them within an historical context and exploring their contemporary design implications.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Critically analyse, evaluate and make informed judgement on a wide range of architectural problems and situations
  • Comprehend key architectural works, cultural movements and ideas, their theoretical and cultural context and relevance to design
  • Communicate complex design ideas through verbal, visual and written means


Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  1. undertake academic writing communication with enhanced skills.
  2. undertake research into architectural precedent practices with enhanced skills.
  3. engage in critical and analytical thinking with enhanced skills.
  4. present verbal and visual arguments clearly and concisely with enhanced skills.


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities include: 

  • a weekly lecture series 
  • weekly analytical, design precedent diagramming and other interpretative architectural representations with critical written annotation 
  • weekly tutorial discussion and debate 
  • structured activities on techniques and academic writing skills to support your develpoment of a critical written reponse and extended essay
 

This course offers thematic lectures introducing you to key precedent practices, theoretical frameworks and significant debates from the periods covered. Tutorials support the lecture series, and offer opportunities for you to discuss and debate the material in detail, gain skills in presenting task work on specific thematic questions relating to the lectures and gain feedback from tutors on the writing of an essay and assignment questions, and on your abstract, draft essay outline and final essay submissions and on your weekly pin-up of analytical and design precedent diagramming and other interpretative architectural representations with critical written annotation. 


Overview of Learning Resources

This course is primarily delivered face-to-face via lectures and tutorials and through the online Canvas site. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

To access the online study resources you need to connect to the RMIT Learning Lab at  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab 

Course materials are available online via the Canvas site, including: 

  • Course assignments (assessment tasks) 
  • Reading List, including required and recommended readings  and additional resources (online and library based)
  • References to key projects discussed in the lectures 
  • The University library has extensive resources for architecture students. The library has produced a subject guide that quality online and print resources for your studies. 

Library Architecture resources are available online at  http://rmit.libguides.com/architecture 

The library provides guides on academic referencing  https://www.rmit.edu.au/library/study/referencing  

Required and recommended readings are available on Reserve in the RMIT Library. 

Course Guides are available through the RMIT website, with links provided on Canvas. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessments will primarily involve written submissions of varying lengths to give you opportunities to trial and develop a range of critical and analytical writing and representational skills and gain experience at researching and discussing arguments relevant to an enhanced understanding of architectural precedent and the history of architectural ideas and debates in the periods covered by the course.

Assessment Tasks
1. Assessment Task 1, Critical History Journal of Written and Visual Tasks 50% 
[CLO-1, CLO-2, CLO-3, CLO-4]
2. Assessment Task 2, Essay Abstract and Research Appendix 10% 
[CLO-1, CLO-2, CLO-3]
3. Assessment Task 3, Essay and Research Appendix 40% 
[CLO-1, CLO-2, CLO-3, CLO-4]

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures, and instructions.