Course Code: ARC 211
Academic Year: 2025-2026
The evolution of western civilization's architectural styles mirrors the historical developments of culture and language, mathematics, science and technology, art and philosophy. The architects of the built environment describe the social/political condition of their times as well as the popular intellectual attitudes towards the arts, religion, class and civic structure of the cultures in which they lived. This course traces the path of architectural form from ancient civilizations to present day, in light of the cultural and technological context of each period. The architecture of other important civilizations and cultures will be compared and contrasted with western trends. Through open discussion, students will be asked to develop critical positions on many of the recurring esthetic, architectural and planning issues debated throughout history to the present day.