Course detail

History of Architecture 1

FA-DA1-TEAcad. year: 2023/2024

The first part of the History of Architecture lectures clarifies the basic terminology which concern historic and theoretical reflection of architecture, and which are present in the history of architecture from the prehistoric times to the present. The topics are introduced to students in seminars via the reverse class method.
The seminars provide students with the information on medieval architecture, namely on morphology and building types (town urbanism, church, castle, town houses, town halls etc.), materials and structures. Students practically confront the newly acquired knowledge with selected Czech medieval monuments on excursions.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Michal Konečný, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Theory (UT)

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The credit is awarded to students who elaborate the assigned seminar works and participate actively in the seminars and excursions. The oral exam verifies their knowledge.
Participation in seminars and excursions is compulsory. Students may excuse only for serious reasons. Seminars can be compensated by individual consultation; excursions cannot be compensated.

Aims

The goal of History of Architecture 1 is to acquire theoretical and historical knowledge in terms of description and interpretation of architectural works as specific material entity whose expression and function is defined by the selected materials and structure. The course forms a basis for the following History of Architecture 2-4.
  • Students will learn the terminology reflecting historical and theoretical problems in the history of architecture, and which is useful for their architectural work.
  • Students will learn terminology for the description of architectural work.
  • Students will have basic knowledge of theory that influence understanding of architectural works.
  • Students will get the overview of the oldest eras of the history of architecture.
  • Students will learn about the significant Romanesque and Gothic monuments in the Czech Republic.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

NORBERG-SCHULZ, Christian. Meaning In Western Architecture. Rizzoli, 1980. ISBN 978-0847803194. (EN)
PEVSNER, Nikolaus. An Outline of European Architecture. Gibbs Smith, 2009. ISBN: 9781423604938. (EN)
FRAMPTON, Kenneth. Modern Architecture: A Critical History. WW Norton, 2020. ISBN: 9780500204443 (EN)
BENEŠOVSKÁ, Klára. Architecture of the Romanesque (Ten Centuries of Architecture, volume 1). Prague Castle Administration, 2001. ISBN: 9788086161426. (EN)
BENEŠOVSKÁ, Klára. Architecture of the Gothic (Ten Centuries of Architecture, volume 2). Prague Castle Administration, 2001. ISBN: 9788086161419. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BE_A+U Bachelor's, 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

12 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Michal Konečný, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Outline programme of excursions:
  1. Porta Coeli – early Gothic monastery and basilica Nanebevstoupení Panny Marie (Assumption of St. Mary) with a monumental portal
  2. Pernštejn – Gothic castle with later Renaissance, Baroque, and Romantic transformations
  3. Kunštát – early Gothic castle, later transformed into a Baroque chateau with Romanesque elements and modern interactive exposition in the underground vaults
  4. Brno – Medieval city and the monuments from late Gothic (church of St. Jacob, ambit of the Franciscan and Dominican cloister), portal of Anton Pilgram

Field trip

16 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Michal Konečný, Ph.D.