Course Outline
Historic Preservation 101, the American Heritage, introduces the principles of historic preservation through the study of sites, structures, buildings, objects and districts, using the analytical tools of history, architectural history, social history, and archaeology. Through reading and discussion, lectures, and slide presentations, the course will help the student understand the history, development and context of the American heritage that historic preservation seeks to identify, interpret, and protect.
Course Objectives
• Foster a basic understanding and awareness of American historic preservation and the philosophy, purposes, content, and methods of the discipline.
• Foster basic knowledge of the two main fields contributing to and defining historic preservation: architecture and archaeology.
• Acquire a basic working familiarity with material culture and the built environment.
• Establish a basis for future studies in historic preservation.
• Actively pursue independent educational experiences inside and outside the classroom.
This course partly satisfies the University’s General Education requirements under the goal of “Human Experience and Society.” Consequently, the course has the following Student Learning Outcomes:
• Explain human and social experiences and activities from multiple perspectives.
• Draws appropriate conclusions based on evidence.
• Transfers knowledge and skills learned to a novel situation.
Honors Designation
This section of HISP 101 carries the Honors designation. As such, there are higher standards for success in this course, and students will be particularly encouraged to develop communication skills, enhance research skills, apply terms and concepts learned in this course in the proper context, and actively pursue independent educational experiences inside and outside the classroom.
Students will be expected to actively participate in class, engage in the materials, and form community with their classmates.
Texts
McAlester, V. & McAlester, L. (1984) A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Knopf.
All other materials will be made available online.
Disability Information, Grading Scale & Instructor Policies
Course Requirements
| Graded Course Requirements | Due Date | Weight |
| Class Participation | All Semester | 15% |
| Test 1 | Sep 20 (Fri) | 15% |
| Assignment 1: Building Features | Oct 16 (Wed) | 10% |
| Test 2 | Nov 1 (Fri) | 15% |
| Assignment 2: Building Description | Nov 15 (Fri) | 20% |
| Final Examination | Dec 10 (Mon) | 25% |
Course Schedule
| WEEK 1 | |
| 8/26 M | Introduction & Syllabus Review |
| 8/28 W | The Meaning of the Built Environment Readings: Stilgoe “Outside Lies Magic”, Chapter 1 |
| 8/30 F | Identifying Basic Forms and Building Materials Readings: McAlester pp. 20-31 |
| WEEK 2 | |
| 9/2 M | Building Elements I: Basic Elements Readings: McAlester pp. 32-53 |
| 9/4 W | Building Elements II: Classical Orders Readings: The Classical Orders |
| 9/6 F | Vocabulary Review |
| WEEK 3 | |
| 9/9 M | Synthesis of Elements: Building Description Readings: How to Write an Architectural Description and Complete the National Register Form, “Narrative Description” Section |
| 9/11 W | Vocabulary Review |
| 9/13 F | Native American Architecture Readings: McAlester pp. 65-73 |
| WEEK 4 | |
| 9/16 M | Colonial Architecture I: New England & Virginia Readings: McAlester pp. 104-111 |
| 9/18 W | Colonial Architecture II: Holland, Germany, France and Spain Readings: McAlester pp. 112-137 |
| 9/20 F | TEST 1 |
| WEEK 5 | |
| 9/23 M | Georgian Period I: New England Readings: McAlester pp. 138-151 |
| 9/25 W | Georgian Period II: The South Readings: Review McAlester pp. 138-151 |
| 9/27 F | Description Review |
| WEEK 6 | |
| 9/30 M | Federal Period I: A More Developed Style Readings: McAlester pp. 152-167 Assignment 1 handed out |
| 10/2 W | Federal Period II: The Birth of the Architect Readings: McAlester pp. 168-175 |
| 10/5 F | Greek Revival Readings: McAlester pp. 178-195 |
| WEEK 7 | |
| 10/7 M | Case Study of the Classical-Gothic Transition: Ecclesiastical Buildings Readings: TBD |
| 10/9 W | Gothic Revival Readings: McAlester pp. 196-209 |
| 10/11 F | Field Trip – Details TBA |
| WEEK 8 | |
| 10/14 M | NO CLASS – FALL BREAK |
| 10/16 W | The Eclectic: Octagon, Egyptian Revival Readings: McAlester pp. 230-237 ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE |
| 10/18 F | The Industrial Revolution: Industrial Buildings & New Technology Assignment 2 handed out Readings: Samuel Slater (read links as well) |
| WEEK 9 | |
| 10/21 M | Italianate Readings: McAlester pp. 210-229 |
| 10/23 W | Second Empire & High Victorian Gothic Readings: McAlester pp. 240-253 |
| 10/25 F | Richardsonian Romanesque Readings: McAlester pp. 300-307 |
| WEEK 10 | |
| 10/28 M | The Columbian Exhibition/Beaux Arts Readings: McAlester pp. 378-385 |
| 10/30 W | Case Study in Classicism: Train Stations & Libraries Readings: TBD |
| 11/1 F | TEST 2 |
| WEEK 11 | |
| 11/4 M | Chateauesque & Late Gothic Readings: McAlester pp. 354-377 |
| 11/6 W | Queen Ann & Stick Readings: McAlester pp. 254-287 |
| 11/8 F | Shingle Style Readings: McAlester pp. 288-299 |
| WEEK 12 | |
| 11/11 M | Craftsman & the Bungalow Readings: McAlester pp. 452-463 |
| 11/13 W | Mission, Pueblo & Mission Revivals Readings: McAlester pp. 408-437 |
| 11/15 F | The Prairie Style & American Foursquare ASSIGNMENT 2 DUE Readings: McAlester pp. 438-451 |
| WEEK 13 | |
| 11/18 M | The Rise of Tall Buildings I: The Chicago School Readings: Lowe, G. Architecture: the First Chicago School |
| 11/20 W | The Rise of Tall Buildings II: New York & The Setback Readings: Dol, A. The Architecture and Development of New York City |
| 11/22 F | Modernism Readings: McAlester pp. 464-473 |
| WEEK 14 | |
| 11/25 M | Post-Modernism Readings: TBD |
| 11/27 W | NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING |
| 11/29 F | NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING |
| WEEK 15 | |
| 21/2 M | Domestic Architecture since WWII Readings: McAlester pp. 486-499 |
| 12/4 W | Architecture into the 21st Century |
| 12/6 F | Course Review |
| WEEK 16 | |
| 12/10 M | FINAL EXAM |