COVENANT UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Department: Architecture
Course Lecturer: Dr. O. C. Adetoro & Arc. U. K. Ugah
Programme: Architecture
Course Code: ARC213
Course Title: History of Architecture II
Course Units: 2
Semester: Omega, 2023/2024
Time: Tuesdays, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Studio 200
a) Course Overview
The aim of the course is to acquaint students with architectural innovations and
shortcomings of past civilizations, thus using the knowledge as a springboard to forging a
better understanding of the present challenges and their solutions. This will be achieved
through analytically study of past architectural antecedents of ancient architects and their
innovative design solutions. This will aid in arousing students’ interest in postulating
architectural solutions that are responsive to the built environment using the available
technology of this civilization.
Thus, the course is a continuation of Arc 213 in the sense that it is aimed at exposing students
to the study of the chronological record of architectural events as they affect a nation and its
people. This study is based on a critical examination of architectural source of material and
usually presents explanations of the causes from ancient periods to the present day.
Emphasis this semester is on the study of the impact of the monotheist religion of Christianity
and Islam on the development of Architecture during the Medieval period. The course
emphasizes that the ultimate goal of any piece of architectural endeavour is to provide
solution to design problems (be it social, cultural or religious).
b) Course Objectives
Chronicle the evolution of ancient architecture into modern architecture of this age. That
is, to show that “tradition cannot be jettisoned in architecture otherwise; there would be
no forms at all”. A view held by Joachim Winckleman, Marc-Antoinne Laugier.
Acquaint students with architectural innovations and shortcomings of the past
civilizations.
Use the knowledge of the above as a springboard to forge a better understanding of the
present built environment.
Evaluate how influences such as climate, topography, location, socio-cultural factors,
religion, creativity and purpose affect the architecture of a place.
Understand how development and refinement in civilization and age of learning,
positively enhances architectural possibilities and structural innovations.
Students must understand that the building materials available and the technology
developed to utilize them through different civilizations largely determine the nature of
the architecture of that civilization.
c) Methods of Lecture Delivery/Teaching Aids
- Lecture Delivery Methods: - Explanatory teaching and guided instructions
- Problem based learning classroom sessions
- Lecture notes
1
- Teaching Aids: - Use of smart board for presenting lecture notes
- Short movie clips of building of interest.
d) Course Outline
General Overview Of History Of Architecture
Week 1: Introduction to History of Architecture II (Ancient to Modern)
Module 5 Western Christian (Roman Catholic) Architecture (313 -800)
Week 2: Introduction;
Week 3: Early Christian Architecture (Byzantine Architecture) 450-1453
and Later
Week 4 Iconoclastic Age (726 – 843)
Module 6 Romanesque Architecture 9th to 12th Century
Week 5 Introduction
Architectural Influences
Week 6 Architectural Typology
Module 7 Gothic Architecture
Week 7 Introduction
Architectural Influences
Architectural Character
Building Materials
Building Construction
Architectural Design
Week 8 Building Materials
Building Construction
Architectural Design
Week 9
Module 8 Islamic Architecture
Week 10 Introduction
Architectural Influences
Architectural Character
Week 11 Building Materials
Building Construction
Architectural Design
e) Tutorials
Week 7 Tutorial 1 (Modules 4 & 5 topics)
Week 9 Tutorial 2 (Module 7 topics)
Week 12 Tutorial 3 (Module 8 topics/examination revisions)
f) Structure of Programme/Method of Grading
Continuous Assessment Test and assignments 15 marks
Mid-Semester Test 15 marks
Total CA 30 marks
End of Semester Examination 70 marks
TOTAL 100 marks
g) Ground Rules & Regulations
2
Punctuality: grace period for lateness is 5 minutes into commencement of class.
Latecomers will forfeit their attendance for that class.
Mandatory 75% attendance to be legible to write examination
Interactive class session without compromising discipline
Submission of class assignment as at when due.
Acts of insubordination will be reported to the appropriate authority.
h) Term Paper and Assignments
To be given as Learning progresses
-
i) Alignment with Covenant University Vision and Goals
It is said that ‘a people without a past have no identity’. The course presents the ancient
history of architecture to students with a bid to let them understand that knowledge does
not exit in vacuum. Knowledge of the past will avail the new generation of leaders to
make better choices that suits the present. Ultimately, students will understand that aside
from aesthetics, architecture is primarily meant to provide solutions to challenges in the
built environment and that the striking solutions they provide today will live after them in
posterity.
j) Contemporary Issues/Industrial relevance
Architecture is the sheet anchor of history; without it, the lasting evidence of
human evolution would have been lost.
“Tradition cannot be jettisoned in architecture otherwise; there would be no forms
at all”. A view held by Joachim Winckleman, Marc-Antoinne Laugier.
To innovate new forms and styles in architecture, a deep-rooted knowledge in
tradition is needful.
Lessons learnt from complex experiences of the past will serve as a springboard
for a better built-environment.
Improves architectural understanding and vocabulary of the future professionals.
Ultimately, the course prepares the student as a competent professional in the built
environment and improves his/her global competitiveness.
k) Recommended Reading/Text
1. Sir Banister Fletcher's (1987), A History of Architecture, 19th ed., edited by John
Musgrove.
2. Spiro Kostof (1985), A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals.
3. David Watkin (1986), A History of Western Architecture.
4. Jennifer Inston (2016) Architecture: A Beginners Introduction To Architecture, Henry
Publishing; 2nd edition.
5. A. D. F. (Alfred Dwight Foster) Hamlin (2011) A Text-Book of the History of
Architecture Seventh Edition.
Electronic sources:
Microsoft Encarta Premium Suite CD-ROM.
