History of Architecture: Early Civilizations to Middle Ages
Instructor:
Syllabus
Daniel Abbott
Office Location: ET 119D
Office Hours:
Monday & Wednesday 10:00-11:00
Tuesday and Thursday 1:00-2:00
E-Mail & Phone: By Request. All questions, concerns and discussions should be conducted in
class, or in person during office hours. Please see your professor if you need contact information
regarding e-mail or phone for specific purposes which may arise in the course.
You are encouraged to visit your professor during office hours to discuss your progress in the
class, your work or interest in architectural history.
Course Content
Units: 3
Prerequisite: None
Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 122 or equivalent
Course Description
Architecture and urbanism from prehistory to the Middle Ages. Social, cultural, and physical
conditions that influenced the built environment in the Mediterranean region, Europe, Asia, Africa,
and Pre-Columbian Americas. Topics include early megalithic tombs and structures, Native
American dwellings, architecture of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia and the Middle East, early
civilizations of the Aegean, temples and cities of Greece, architecture and engineering of Rome,
and early medieval structures after the fall of Rome.
Notes
ARCHI 156, 157 and 158 may be taken in any order.
Class Schedule:
Monday & Wednesday, 11:00 - 12:15 pm
Recommended Texts:
Buildings Across Time
Moffett, Fazio & Wodehouse
Analyzing Architecture
Leland Roth
Required Texts:
Architecture History Course Workbook
Available at the DVC bookstore
Architecture History Course Reader
Available for short term check out at the DVC Library front desk
Required readings are available in the library in a course reader that is held on reserve. There
are multiple copies of this reader so that it is accessible to everyone. You will be required to go to
the library on a weekly basis and read appropriate material for the class in order to answer
homework and study questions related to the material being covered.
Although study times vary between students, depending on your reading speed and how much
time you like to take to study you will need to set aside an average of three to four hours per
week for reading and homework for this class.
History of Architecture: Early Civilizations to Middle Ages
Syllabus
Course Content:
Eras or time periods to be studied in chronological order are as follows
1. Prehistoric Architecture
Biskupin
Stonehenge
Newgrange
Menhirs and Tumuli
2. Native American Architecture
North American building types
Latin American structures and
buildings
3. Architecture of Mesopotamia
Babylon
Ziggurats
4. Egyptian Architecture
Mastaba tombs
Pyramid development
Obelisks
Rock-cut tombs
5. Persian Architecture
Persepolis
Tombs of Darius
6. Minoan and Mycenaean Architecture
Knossos
Tiryns
7. Greek Architecture
Acropolis
Parthenon
Paestum
Magnae Graceae
8. Roman Architecture
Roman Forum and ancient
monuments
Theaters and amphitheaters
Pompeii and Roman housing
Roman settlements
9. Early Medieval architecture in Europe
Romanesque
Byzantine
Monasteries and religious centers
10. The Middle East and Islamic architecture
Iran
India
Turkey
Moorish influences in Spain
Student Assignments and Evaluation:
50% Midterm and Final Exam
25%
Midterm Exam
25%
Final Exam
Preparatory tests, quizzes and discussions will be covered throughout the semester so you are
well prepared for each exam. The workbook for readings and class notes that you have
purchased in the bookstore will be allowed for both exams and questions on the exam will be
taken directly from the class workbook.
50% Daily Participation Assignments in Class
Weekly quizzes and participatory exercises based on required readings and lecture material will
be given in class. These will serve to prepare you for the midterm and final exams and also as
ways for you to study and test your retention of knowledge throughout the class.
Extra Credit
Occasional small assignments may be offered for extra credit.
History of Architecture: Early Civilizations to Middle Ages
Syllabus
Class Guidelines
All students who miss two weeks of class or two weeks of assignments will be withdrawn from the
class at the discretion of the instructor.
All students are advised to drop the course within the first 75% of the class, if this is your
intention.
All students are required to follow the Student Code of Conduct and related policies on Academic
Honesty as published in the Diablo Valley College Catalog, College & Student Policies.
All late work will be graded down by 10% per class.
Make up tests must be completed the following class period.
Students with questions regarding their progress in the class should arrange a time to meet with
the teacher before or after class or during office hours. Questions related to final transcripted
grades will only be responded to in person during the Fall and Spring Sessions only.
Course Objectives
Students completing the course will be able to:
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Speak and write effectively about architecture
Employ basic methods of research for studying and analyzing buildings in history
Describe, analyze and interpret architecture, landscape and the built environment
Identify the impact of social, technological, economic and cultural diversity on the built
environment
Recognize Western and non-Western traditions in architecture
Identify principles of order and structure that influence and inform environmental design
Student Learning Outcomes
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Identify notable architects, design concepts, canonical buildings and precedents in
architecture.
Identify the historical and contemporary role of architects in the profession and related
design fields.
Describe parallel and divergent canons and traditions of architecture, landscape and
urban design.
NAAB Outcomes
The following outcomes are required for schools adhering to standards set by the National
Architecture Accreditation Board
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Identify notable architects, design concepts, canonical buildings and precedents in
architecture.
Identify the historical and contemporary role of architects in the profession and related
design fields.
Gather, assess, record, apply, and comparatively evaluate relevant information within
architectural coursework.
Understand parallel and divergent canons and traditions of architecture, landscape and
urban design including examples of indigenous, vernacular, local, regional, national
settings from the Eastern, Western Northern and Southern hemispheres in terms of their
climatic, ecological, technological, socioeconomic, public health and cultural factors
Understanding of the diverse needs, values, behavioral norms, physical abilities, and
social and spatial patterns that characterize different cultures and individuals and the
implication of this diversity on the societal roles and responsibilities of architects.