Last Updated: Fri, 08/01/2025
Course prefix:
ARCH
Course number:
2111
Semester:
Fall
Academic year:
2025
Course description:

Architectural history from antiquity through the eighteenth century, emphasizing buildings in their cultural context as informed by social, technological, and constructive factors and theoretical positions.

Course learning outcomes:
  • Recognize, describe, and assess major works of architecture from prehistory through the mid-18th century.
  • Research and analyze primary and secondary sources, including texts, drawings, photographs, maps, and multimedia.
  • Articulate ideas about architecture by using appropriate vocabulary and supporting evidence.
  • Build critical positions on the history of architecture and its cultural contexts (e.g., read judiciously, form written arguments with clear structures and credible supporting evidence and relevant visuals,  prepare legible reports).
  • Identify and acknowledge the rich spectrum of influencing factors for architecture in any period. 
Required course materials:

none

Grading policy:

Grading:

  • Attendance/participation (Canvas-based questions in class; engagement during Critical Conversations) = 20%
  • Quizzes (2) = 10%
  • Sources and Synthesis (3) + Peer Reviews = 30%
  • Semester Project + Peer Reviews = 40%

Grade evaluations will be based on consistent, high-quality work over the entire semester. Students will be evaluated on their timely and thorough completion, depth of exploration, and consideration of assigned work, their professional competence in presenting work, and their continuous and meaningful participation in class discussions. 

The grade scale for all individual components of the course, as well as for completion of the final course grade will be as follows: 

            Points               Grade               Description

            90 – 100           A                      Excellent

            80 – 89             B                      Good

            70 – 79             C                      Satisfactory

            60 – 69             D                      Poor

            0 – 59               F                      Failure

There will be no incompletes awarded without an appropriate reason or without a prior meeting, either in person or on Teams, of the student and the instructor. All assignments must be completed to receive a passing grade in the class. Incompletes will be granted only under extraordinary circumstances. 

Extensions, Late Assignments, & Re-Scheduled/Missed Exams

Any requests for assignment extensions or prior arrangements for missed classes must be made as soon as possible and no later than one week before the due date. Accommodations will be made for unanticipated student illnesses, but communication is key for flexibility: email the instructor.  

Georgia Tech makes exceptions for “approved Institute activities” (e.g., field trips and athletic events) and religious observances. See this catalog page for more information. Consideration will also be made for the impact of events like the All-Majors Career Fair and off-campus interviews, and to plan accordingly; but, once again, a minimum of one week's advanced notice is essential.

Late submissions of assignments and project benchmarks without previous arrangements will be graded down one-half letter grade for each class session they are overdue.

Attendance policy:

Active Participation at all class meetings is mandatory and crucial to successful completion of the class. Absences will be excused only for medical or family emergencies or for Institute-approved events and religious holidays documented in writing.  (According to a new policy, you must notify your instructor in writing during the first two weeks of the semester about any anticipated absences for religious holidays.)  Late arrivals will be counted as absences. It is not possible to make up any missed in-class questions due to unexcused absences. Please see this catalogue page on the policy regarding Attendance and the Institute Approved Absences.

Attendance and participation will be collected through Canvas-based questions and surveys presented during class time. Excused absences will not count towards the calculation of a final grade. After three unexcused absences, the final grade will be lowered by half a letter grade.

NOTE: Absences due to special and/or unforeseen circumstances must be discussed with the Instructor as early as practically possible.

Academic honesty/integrity statement:

Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.

Core IMPACTS statement(s) (if applicable):

This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Arts, Humanities & Ethics area. Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master the course content and support their’ broad academic and career goals.

 

This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:

  • How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works?
  • Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
  • Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts in English or other languages, or of works in the visual/performing arts.
  • Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Information Literacy
    • Intercultural Competence
Instructor First Name:
Danielle
Instructor Last Name:
Willkens
Section:
DW
CRN (you may add up to five):
80263