Historic Preservation Program Courses

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course is an in-depth examination of the manifestations, visual characteristics and social/cultural meaning of "style" in American architecture and decorative arts from the early settlement period through the present. The course covers the basic issues, such as "what is style?" (or is there such a thing as "style"?), the terminology of architectural description and the persistence of classical tradition in both architecture and furniture and furnishings. Students will be introduced to the full range of "style" terminology and also to specialized terminology for architectural and decorative components. The course will trace not only furnishings but the "assemblage" of parts, particularly for interiors through which a sense of "style" is conveyed. The course is seen as a complement to AmSt 681, American Vernacular Traditions, which treats more persistent formal characteristics of architecture. Nonetheless, the "vernacular" meanings of stylistic expression are not ignored. The course will also introduce students to some of the key architects, furniture makers, and decorators in each period, though the emphasis will remain on more anonymous expressions. One or more field trips will also be scheduled.

The course is divided into two components: a lecture series and a more concentrated seminar, conducted in the last four weeks of the course, on a particular architectural style, i.e., Colonial Revival, a style well-represented in Hawaii. Students would be expected to choose one aspect of the Colonial Revival style, including furniture, local manifestations of the style, lives of principle advocates, architects or designers, and complete a report. The term projects would focus on the manifestations of the Colonial Revival style in Hawai`i. Student projects will be presented in class during the last four weeks and submitted as term papers due the last week. Slides are encouraged as part of the presentation (copies will be appreciated.)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:
The course combines lectures and in-class discussions with a research project/paper (see above). Students will be expected to attend class sessions and participate in discussions and question periods. Weekly reading assignments will serve as a basis for classroom discussions, so students are expected to come to class prepared. The course includes a short quiz, a mid-term exam, the research project/paper and its presentation in class, and a final exam. Grades will be based on the following:

• Attendance/Participation 20%
• Quiz 5% Mid-term exam 25%
• Final exam 25%
• Paper/Presentation 25%

TEXTS AND READINGS:

John Summerson, The Classical Language of Architecture
John J.G. Blumenson, Identifying American Architecture
Joseph T. Butler, A Field Guide to American Antique Furniture
Virginia McAlester and Lee McAlester, A Field Guide to American Houses
William B. Rhoads, The Colonial Revival
David P. Lundquist and Caroline C. Warren, Colonial Revival Furniture
Alan Axelrod, ed. The Colonial Revival in America,
A COURSE READER (Purchase details will be provided).

All readings will also be available on reserve in the Historic Preservation Program office, Moore 328