History of Western Architecture

Syllabus

1. Prehistoric Architecture (3 hours)
   1. Early shelter constructions and their characteristics
   2. An overview of prehistoric settlements
2. Ancient Egyptian Architecture (6 hours)
   1. Development of ancient Egyptian funerary and religious architecture
   2. Egyptian temple architecture's evolution and salient characteristics
   3. Key features of tombs and mortuary temples
3. Ancient Greek Architecture (8 hours)
   1. Development of Greek architecture in ancient Minoan and Mycenaean civilization
   2. Greek classical orders: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian
   3. The idea of Greek civic architecture and its evolution
4. Ancient Roman Architecture (8 hours)
   1. Innovation in materials and technological development in Roman architecture and engineering
   2. Roman city planning and design characteristics
5. Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture (3 hours)
   1. The evolution of early Christian architectural design
   2. The development of Byzantine architecture
6. Romanesque Architecture (3 hours)
   1. Development of Romanesque architecture
   2. Essential elements of the Romanesque style
7. Gothic Architecture (4 hours)
   1. Origin and development of Gothic architecture
   2. Characteristics of Gothic architecture
8. Renaissance Architecture (6 hours)
   1. The evolution of Renaissance architecture and the revival of classical ideas
   2. Philosophies of distinguished academics, covering elements of Baroque and Renaissance architecture
9. Neoclassical Architecture and Industrial Revolution (4 hours)
   1. Neoclassicism's salient characteristics
   2. Industrial Revolution and the shift to modernism

Practicals

Fifteen hours: students prepare an analytical graphical report on Western architecture covering historical context, social and cultural influences, religious significance, materials and construction techniques, create posters, present findings and participate in a departmental exhibition.