Architecture (ARCH) 340

History and Theory of Modernism (Revision 2)

Status:

Open

Delivery mode:

Individualized study online. Delivered via Brightspace.

Credits:

Area of study:

Applied Study

Prerequisites:

ARCH 200

Course start date:

If you are a:

Self-funded student: register by the 10th of the month, start on the 1st of the next.
Funded student: please check the next enrolment deadline and course start date.

Precluded:

None

Challenge:

ARCH 340 is not available for challenge.

Faculty:

Faculty of Science and Technology

Notes:

ARCH 340: History and Theory of Modernism is intended for students enrolled in the BSc (Architecture) program at the RAIC Centre for Architecture at Athabasca University. For those students interested in pursuing a career as a registered architect, this course also contributes to the RAIC Syllabus Diploma.

Overview

ARCH 340 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. Students 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

The Study Guide for Architecture 340 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

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 340 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%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.

Materials

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, Harry F., ed. (2006). Architectural Theory Volume I: An Anthology from Vitruvius to 1870. Malden, MA: Blackwell.

Mallgrave, Harry F. and Christina Contandriopoulos, eds. (2008). Architectural Theory Volume II: An Anthology from 1871 to 2005. Malden, MA: Blackwell.

Colquhoun, Alan. (2002). Modern Architecture. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Frampton, Kenneth. (2007). Modern Architecture: A Critical History, 4^th ed. London: Thames and Hudson.*

*Note: As of April 28, 2022, the print version of Frampton’s Modern Architecture: A Critical History (4th ed.) is no longer available. An online replacement resource is provided in the course.

Course Home Page (online): The course home page houses all the online components of your course.

Study Schedule (online): The study schedule on your course home page includes the Course Information, the nine units of the Study Guide, links to the online readings, and links to your assignments.

Course Information (online): The Course Information provides specific information about how to proceed through the course. Read the Course Information carefully before you begin reading the Study Guide.

Study Guide (online): The Study Guide units are embedded in the Study Schedule on the course home page.

Assignments (online): The assignments are on the course home page, along with helpful instructions.

Forms: Forms you may need are available through the myAU portal.

Delivery

You will need convenient access to an Internet browser.

The course is delivered online by Athabasca University for study at home. You will be in regular contact with the instructor, who will provide guidance and feedback on your sketches. You are expected to spend about three hours of online classroom time each week and an additional six hours each week reading, drawing, and completing assignments.

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.

Opened in Revision 2, July 29, 2024

Updated July 29, 2024

View previous revision