Architectural Studies 202 - Architectural Anthropology

(Offered as ARCH 202 and ARHA 202) Why some people in the world build circular houses, while others build square-shaped ones? Why some people used to perform human sacrifices when building a new home? How does the floor plan of an Amazonian traditional house represent motherhood? On the other hand, what could be the problems of being fascinated only by the exotic aspects of traditional architecture? What happens when Euro-American architects travel to rural areas in Africa and other continents to build mud houses for traditional people who might now prefer to live in cement houses? These are some of the themes that we explore in Architectural Anthropology. This course is about  a type of architecture that, until a couple of decades ago, was excluded from mainstream architectural history books. Rather than studying palaces in, for example, Rome or Paris, we focus on humble constructions in places like Iquitos or Port Moresby. We explore architectural anthropology as an emerging field that connects the main concerns of architecture (buildings), and anthropology (people). We study the motivations, history, methods, ethics, and challenges of this field.

Recommended prior coursework: The course is open to everyone; previous instruction in architectural studies, area or ethnic studies, or social studies can be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Limited to 20 students. Fall semester. Professor Gabriel Arboleda.

How to handle overenrollment: Priority to Architectural Studies majors, Art and The History of Art majors, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and first-year students, in that order.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Attendance to class, doing the assigned readings, participating in class discussions, and timely submitting all the assignments.