UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Prof. Douglas W. Sanford Fall 2012
Combs 237 12:00 – 12:50 PM MWF
Course Description
This course introduces the principles of historic preservation through the study of sites, structures, buildings, and landscapes; and, by using the analytical tools of history, architectural history, and archaeology. The course primarily emphasizes architecture and the built environment. Through readings, lectures, slide presentations, and field observation of historic resources, the course helps students understand the history, development and cultural context of the American heritage that historic preservation seeks to identify, interpret, and protect.
Course Objectives
1.
Foster a basic understanding and awareness of American historic preservation and the discipline’s content, purposes, methods, and philosophy.
2.
Foster basic knowledge of the two main sub-disciplines of historic preservation, archaeology and architecture.
3.
Acquire a basic working familiarity with material culture and the built environment in relation to the interpretation of American history and culture.
4.
Establish a basis for future studies in historic preservation.
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 Outcome objectives :
1.
Explain human and social experiences and activities from multiple perspectives.
2.
Draws appropriate conclusions based on evidence.
3.
Transfers knowledge and skills learned to a novel situation.
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Required Texts
1.
Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction , by Paul Bahn. Oxford University Press (2000).
2.
Identifying American Architecture: A Pictorial Guide to Styles and Terms, 1600-1945 , by
John J.-G. Blumenson. American Association for State and Local History.
3.
A Field Guide to American Houses , by Virginia and Lee McAlester. Knopf (1984).
4.
Other readings will be made available through Canvas and, relevant online sources for reference materials will be identified.
Instructor Information: Office – Combs 128; Phone: 540-654-1314 (voice mail); I work best by e-mail: dsanford@umw.edu
. Office hours: M: 2-3 PM; Tu.: 3-4 PM; W: 10-11 AM; Th.: 11
AM – 12 noon; F: 10-11 AM ; and by appointment.

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Grading policies and percentages: By keeping up with readings and by paying attention and taking notes in class, you will enrich your learning experience. While attendance is not taken, it will affect your performance in the course, particularly since information from lectures and presentations will cover material not available in the readings and will appear on tests and in the final examination. There will be class-based participation exercises. Please contact me or make an appointment to discuss any assignments or difficulties in the class.
Your grade will be determined by your performance in the following categories: Test I (20%):
Test II (20%); Assignment 1 (5%); Assignment 2 (5%); Assignment 3 (15%); Final examination
(30%); Participation (5%).
Assignments submitted after established deadlines will receive a letter grade penalty per day. All submitted work is bound by the provisions of the Honor Code.
Grading Scale: In keeping with the University’s grading system, the following numerical divisions will be used to determine letter grades: A: 94-100; A-: 90-93; B+: 87-89; B: 83-86; B-:
80-82; C+: 77-79; C: 73-76; C-: 70-72; D+: 67-69; D: 60-66: F: <60%.
An overall course grade of D or F will be reported as unsatisfactory on the mid-semester report.
Classroom Behavior: During class students should turn off cell/I phones; and, should not engage in texting, twittering, or blogging. Students should demonstrate proper respect for the course instructor, class speakers, and other students.
Office of Disability Services: This office serves to guide, counsel, and assist students with disabilities. If you receive service through this office and require accommodations for this class, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs. Please bring your accommodation letter with you to the meeting and, know that I will hold any information your share with me in the strictest confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise. If you need accommodations, please contact the Office of
Disability Services (654-1266).
Out-of-class Assignments
Assignment 1: using information and materials provided in class, students will identify various architectural elements on buildings located immediately off campus. The assignment is due
Friday, October 19 th .
Assignment 2: using information and materials provided in class, students will identify the ancient classical orders on buildings on the University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg campus. The assignment is due Friday, October 26 th .
Assignment 3: using historic buildings designated by the instructor, each student will describe the building’s principal elevation in order to become more proficient in the recognition and description of architectural styles and details. Guidelines will be provided and the assignment will be discussed in class. The assignment is due Wednesday, November 28 th .
Course Schedule

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I. Introducing American Historic Preservation
Aug. 27
Aug. 29
Aug. 31
Course Introduction & Purposes. Review of syllabus and assignments.
Historic Preservation at Mary Washington.
Historic Preservation Defined: America’s Cultural Heritage – What is it and What
Threatens It?
Historic Preservation Around the Globe.
Sept. 3 Landscape as Artifact.
Reading: Murtaugh, Keeping Time , pp. 125-134 (on Canvas).
Sept. 5
Sept. 7
II. The Nature of Archaeology
Sept. 10 Introduction to Archaeology: American-style, Anthropological, Classical, etc.
Reading: Bahn, Archaeology , pp. 1-16.
Sept. 12
What time is the place? Fredericksburg History Walkabout:
Fredericksburg History Walkabout: 2 nd half of class.
This Is Archaeology!
Video and discussion.
First half of class.
Sept. 14 Archaeology basics: evidence, methods, chronology, interpretation.
Reading: Bahn, Archaeology , pp. 17-41.
Sept. 17 Archaeological reconstructions: sites, settlements, history, ideology.
Reading: Bahn, Archaeology , pp. 42-64.
Sept. 19 Archaeological explanations of change.
Sept. 21 Native American architecture.
Reading: Bahn, Archaeology , pp. 65-75; McAlester, pp. 64-73.
Sept. 24 Archaeology in the real world: politics, preservation, ethics.
Reading: Bahn, Archaeology , pp. 76-87; 98-105.
Sept. 26 Case study: Thieves of Time video & discussion.
Sept. 28 Archaeology of the public, for the public, by the public: In-Class Speaker.
Reading: Bahn, Archaeology , pp. 88-97.
Oct. 1 Test 1

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III. Introduction to Architecture: Terms, Forms, Materials, Building Systems
Oct. 3 Identifying Basic Forms and Building Materials
Reading: McAlester, pp. 20-42; Blumenson: section covering from roofs to molding in
Oct. 5 pictorial glossary (for this and next 3 topics).
Building Technologies & Building Systems.
Oct. 8 Building elements & Details.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 42-61.
Oct. 10 Architectural Basics Review ( receive Assignment 1 ). European traditions in the 17 th -century Chesapeake: Earthfast architecture & Jamestown revisited.
IV. European-American Developments in Architecture
Oct. 12
Northern & Southern Colonial “Traditions” (folk developments).
Reading: McAlester, pp. 78-82, 104-111; Blumenson – New England Colonial, Southern
Oct. 15
Colonial.
NO CLASS – FALL BREAK
Oct. 17 The Classical Orders. Receive Assignment 2.
Reading: Blumenson, section “orders” in pictorial glossary.
Oct. 19 Finish Classical orders. French, Dutch, & Spanish Colonial architecture.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 112-137; Blumenson – Spanish Colonial, French Colonial,
Dutch Colonial.
Assignment 1 deadline.
Oct. 22 Finish Spanish. Georgian architecture.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 138-151; Blumenson - Georgian.
Oct. 24 Finish Georgain. Federal and Roman Classicism.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 152-167; pp. 168-175; Blumenson – Federal, Roman
Classicism.
V. The Great Revivals
Oct. 26 Greek Revival, Egyptian Revival.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 178-195; 231-233; Blumenson – Greek Revival, Egyptian
Revival.
Assignment 2 deadline .
Oct. 29 Gothic Revival, Romanesque Revival.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 196-209; Blumenson – Gothic Revival, Romanesque Revival.

Oct. 31
Nov. 2
Test II
Italianate, Second Empire, Richardsonian Romanesque.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 210-229; 240-253; 300-307; Blumenson – Italian Villa,
Italianate, Richardsonian Romanesque, Second Empire.
Provide Assignment 3 guidelines.
Nov. 5 Downing, Olmstead & Landscape Aesthetics – Urban Renewal and Parks.
Nov. 7 The Park Phenomenon expands: Lawns, Cemeteries, Golf Courses.
Reading: “Assessing Golf Courses as Cultural Resources” (on Canvas).
VI. Triumph of the Industrial Revolution
Nov. 9 Stick, Shingle, Queen Anne.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 254-299; Blumenson – Eastern & Western Stick Style, Shingle
Style, Eastlake, Queen Anne Style.
Nov. 12 A Break from High Style Architecture: Vernacular log architecture.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 82-86.
VII. A Return to Classicism & Great Revivals, part 2
Nov. 14 Neo-Classicism, Beaux Arts.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 342-353; 378-385; Blumenson – Neo-Classicism, Beaux Arts
Classicism.
Nov. 16 Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 320-341; 354-371; 408-437; Blumenson – Mission Style,
Spanish Colonial Revival, Colonial Revival.
VIII. Modernism Comes Into Play
Nov. 19
Urban interlude: The Chicago School & “Tall Buildings.”
Reading: Blumenson – Sullivanesque.
Nov. 21, 23 NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING BREAK
Nov. 26 Finish tall buildings. Prairie Style (modern domestic).
Reading: McAlester, pp. 438-451; Blumenson – Prairie Style.
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Nov. 28 International Style. Art Deco & Art Moderne.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 464-473; Blumenson – International Style, Art Deco, Art
Moderne.
Assignment 3 deadline.
Nov. 30 Finish Art Deco/Moderne. Domestic 20 th -century architecture.
Reading: McAlster, pp. 452-463; Blumenson – Bungalow Style.
Dec. 3 Finish modern domestic architecture.
Reading: McAlester, pp. 476-485.
Popular & Commercial Architecture of the Modern Era. Dec. 5
Dec. 7 Closing business.
Final examination: Wednesday, December 12 th , 12:00 – 2:30 PM
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