Course Outline
Historic Preservation 105, the American Built Environment, 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.
• Acquire a basic working familiarity with material culture and the built environment.
• Build and master architectural vocabulary.
• 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.
Texts
McAlester, V. (2013) A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Knopf.
All other materials will be made available online.