School of Architecture and Planning

4.605 is a survey of the history of architecture from a global perspective. It will cover a range of topics from the prehistoric to the sixteenth century. There are two lectures a week, discussion groups (sections) that meet once a week, papers, quizzes and exams.

The teaching assistants for your section and the instructor are available to you by email and during office hours to discuss the material of the class. In order to satisfy the writing requirements for the course you will be asked to write 3 papers. You can rewrite your papers to improve your grade, in accordance with a schedule that you must work out with the TA. Unexcused lateness in handing in assignments will affect your grade. If you cannot make a class, you should email your TA in advance so as to not damage your attendance record. More than 3 unexplained absences will result in an automatic letter grade reduction.

Text for the course: Francis Ching, Mark Jarzombek and Vikram Prakash, A Global History of Architecture, Second Edition, 2010. This book is available for purchase in area bookstores and is on reserve at the Rotch Library.

Requirements for the course: attendance at lectures and sections, midterm exam, final exam and 3 papers. Grading will be based 50% on the midterm and final, 40% on the papers you write, and 10% on participation in section.