Overview

Architecture is one of the most visible symbols of human civilization. Successful architecture involves the architect's use of spaces, forms and surfaces in such a way that a building meets the needs of both people and environment. This course introduces the student to themes in architecture with the hope that he or she may become more aware of the built environments in which we all spend large portions of our daily lives. The course is organized around five major themes:

1. Introduction: What Architecture Is and the Forces That Shape It.

2. History of Architecture: Egyptian to Renaissance.

3. Ecological Aspects of Architecture: Vernacular and Energy‑Efficient Building.

4. Behavioral Aspects of Architecture: Making Environments Work for People.

5. Modern Architecture and the Future of Architecture.

Aims for General Education

As an offering in K-State's general education curriculum, this course seeks to make students more aware of the built environment through a broad examination of historical, cultural, ecological, and aesthetic dimensions of architecture. Specifically, the course has the following general-education aims:

1. To stimulate an awareness of architectural traditions and styles so students might understand the built environment in a more informed and perceptive way;

2. To highlight the significance of the built environment in human life and to demonstrate how architecture both shapes and is shaped by culture and society;

3. To develop students' visual and aesthetic sensibilities through looking at architecture;

4. To facilitate a deeper interest in architecture and, thereby, to provide a sphere of understanding that will enrich students' lives in the future.

Tentative Schedule and Reading Assignments

[**Note: Chapters in Roth in parentheses refer to 1^st edition]

Class day	Topic	Reading
F 18 Jan	Course Introduction	Course Outline

M 21	NO CLASS—MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY
W 23	What Architecture Is	Roth, Intro & Ch 1
F 25	Aesthetics of Architecture: Form	Roth, Ch 2

M 28	Aesthetics of Architecture: Space	Roth, Ch 3
W 30	The Aesthetics of Architecture: Surface	Roth, Ch 4
F 1 Feb	The History of Architecture: Introduction	Roth, Ch 5

M 4	Egyptian Architecture	Roth, Ch 10
W 6	Egyptian Architecture	Roth, Ch 10 & 11
F 8	Egyptian Architecture	Roth, Ch 11

M 11	Greek Architecture	Roth, Ch 12
W 13	Greek Architecture	Fathy, pp. 18-40
F 15	Greek Architecture	Fathy, pp. 40-76

M 18	Roman Architecture	Fathy, pp. 76-90
W 20	Roman Architecture	Fathy, pp. 90-104
F 22	Hassan Fathy’s Architecture for the Poor	Finish Fathy up to p. 104 only

M 25	Review for 1^st examination	Study Sheet
W 27 Feb	FIRST EXAMINATION (100 pts—bring no. 2 pencil)
F 29	Early Christian Architecture	Roth, Ch 13

M 3 March	Romanesque Architecture	Roth, Ch 14
W 5	Romanesque Architecture	Roth, Ch 14
F 7	Gothic Architecture	Roth, Ch 14 (Ch 15)**

M 10	Gothic Architecture	Roth, Ch 14 (Ch 15)**
W 12	Gothic Architecture	Roth, Ch 15 (Ch 16)**
F 14	Romanesque and Gothic Revival Styles	Roth, Ch 15 (Ch 16)**

March 15—23	SPRING BREAK—no classes

M 24	Renaissance Architecture	Roth, Ch 15 (Ch 16)**
W 26	Renaissance Architecture	Roth, Ch 15 (Ch 16)**
F 28	Renaissance Architecture	Roth, Ch 15 (Ch 16)**

M 31	Renaissance Architecture	Roth, Ch 15 (Ch 16)**
W 2 April	Review for 2^nd examination	Study Sheet
F 4 April	SECOND EXAMINATION (100 pts—bring no. 2 pencil)

M 7	Human Aspects of Design: Christopher Alexander’s Pattern Language	Whyte, Intro,Ch 1-3
W 9	William Whyte: Designing Parks and Plazas	Whyte, Ch 7-9
F 11	William Whyte: Urban Design	Roth, Ch 18 (Ch 19)**

M 14	Industrial Style	Whyte, Ch 10-11
W 16	The Modern Era: Art Nouveau	Roth, Ch 18 (Ch 19)**
F 18	NO CLASS—UNIVERSITY OPEN HOUSE PREPARATION	Roth, Ch 18 (Ch 19)**

M 21	Chicago and the Chicago School	Roth, Ch 19 (Ch 20)**
W 23	Chicago School—cont.	Roth, Ch 19 (Ch 20)**
F 25	The Modern Era: Frank Lloyd Wright	Roth, Ch 20 (Ch 21)**

M 28	Frank Lloyd Wright—cont.	Roth, Ch 20 (Ch 21)**
W 30	The Modern Era: Mies van der Rohe	Roth, Ch 6
F 2 May	The Modern Era: Le Corbusier	Roth, Ch 6

M 5	The Modern Era: Le Corbusier	Roth, Ch 7
W 7	The Future of Architecture	Roth, Ch 8
F 9	Review for Final Examination	Study Sheet

Thurs, May 15, 4:10pm	FINAL EXAMINATION—Seaton 63 (100 pts—bring no. 2 pencil)

Texts (on sale in the K‑State Union Bookstore and Varneys)

· Hassan Fathy. Architecture for the Poor. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1973.

· Leland Roth. Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, and Meaning. 2^nd edition. New York: HarperCollins, 2007 [Students may use either the 1^st or 2^nd edition of this book; note chapters in 1^st edition marked in parentheses and double** in outline above].

· William Whyte. The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. New York: Project for Public Spaces, 2001 [originally 1980].

Attendance

The majority of material on exams will be drawn from class lectures. It is therefore important that students make an effort to attend class regularly. Toward this end, the instructor will periodically take attendance. The instructor has the prerogative to lower, by one letter mark, the grades of students who miss four or more days on which attendance is taken.

Grading

Grades for the course are based on 3 semester exams, each worth 100 points. Each of these exams will be objective in format, involving multiple‑choice, matching, and slide‑identification questions. Point distribution is as follows:

Exam 1: 100 points

Exam 2: 100 points

Exam 3: 100 points

Total: 300 points

Exams will be curved, thus cut-off scores for grades will be determined by the performance of the class as a whole. As students know, the academic honor code is an integral part of the Kansas State University grading system. All students in this class agree to this honor code, which states that:

On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on the academic work I have done for this course.

Extra Credit

For students who wish to receive extra credit for the course, Dr. Seamon will provide the possibility of an extra-credit exercise several weeks into the semester. The nature of this extra-credit exercise will be announced in class.

Students with Special Needs

Please note that any student with a disability who needs an accommodation or other assistance should contact the instructor in the first two weeks of the course.

Contacting Instructor and Teaching Assistant

Prof. Seamon's office is in Seaton Hall, Room 202C (532-1121; triad@ksu.edu). His office hours are MWF, 10:30-11:30a.m. Teaching assistant for the class is Jose Abraham; arjose@ksu.edu. The course outline is available on line at: http://www.arch.ksu.edu/seamon/arch_301.htm