FALL SEMESTER 2020 – UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

COURSE DESCRIPTION                         

Surveys several key architectural writings from the past two millennia to identify the interrelationship and tension between theory and practice. Focuses on key figures, movements, and texts. Provides an overview of the principal theories that have informed or undermined architecture of the past four decades. Considers the changing role of theory with respect to practice. Provides a set of questions, techniques, and tools for criticism and self-reflection.

COURSE DOCUMENTS

Click on the links below to download specific course documents.

• Course Syllabus / Schedule (PDF)
• Weekly Assignments Packet (PDF)
  • Includes information about Videos / Readings / Critical Writing Responses / Discussion Leader Presentation
• Architectural Theory Research Project Brief (PDF)
  • Examples of Student Abstracts from past UCUR conferences
  • Examples of Architectural Research Poster Abstracts from 2013 ARCC Conference (see pp.725-743)
  • Example of 24″ x 36″ Poster Presentation Layout

READING

Required Readings from Texts

Selected chapter readings from various theoretical texts will be provided by the instructor and made available on Canvas. The student may desire to purchase their own copy of these texts for future reference. A full bibliography is organized thematically in the weekly assignment packet.

Recommended Architectural Theory Texts

Students should consider purchasing several essential theory books for reference throughout their architectural careers. Some of the more comprehensive compilations of architectural theory from which the course’s readings are taken include the following:

• Gage, Mark Foster, ed. Aesthetic Theory: Essential Texts for Architecture and Design. New York: W. W. Norton, 2011.
• Hays, K. Michael. Architecture Theory since 1968. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2000.
• Mallgrave, Harry Francis, ed. Architectural Theory, Volume 1: An Anthology from Vitruvius to 1870. Vol. 1. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2006.
• Mallgrave, Harry Francis, and Christina Contandriopoulos, eds. Architectural Theory, Volume 2: An Anthology from 1871 to 2005. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2008.
• Porphyrios, Demetri. Classical Architecture. London: Academy Editions, 1991.
• Salingaros, Nikos. Unified Architectural Theory: Form, Language, Complexity. Portland: Sustasis Foundation, 2013.
• Smith, Korydon, ed. Introducing Architectural Theory: Debating a Discipline. New York: Routledge, 2013.
• Westfall, Carroll William. Architecture, Liberty and Civic Order: Architectural Theories from Vitruvius to Jefferson and Beyond. New York: Ashgate, 2015.