Classes

Explore all classes offered by the Department  — use the filters in the right column below to view classes by discipline groups or by semester.

The Department of Architecture is “Course 4.” The method of assigning numbers to classes is to write the course number in Arabic numerals followed by a period and three digits, which are used to differentiate courses. Most classes retain the same number from year to year. Architecture groups its numbers by discipline group.

Please select both Aga Khan and HTC to search for Aga Khan classes. 

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Current Pre-Thesis and Thesis Registration information
Spring 2024 End of Term Chart
Department End-of-Term Policy
Independent Study Form
Summer Registration Form
Spring 2024 Pre-Approved MArch (Restricted) Electives
Spring 2024 Dept. Final Exam and Review Schedule
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4.614

Building Islam

Examines the history of Islamic architecture and culture spanning fifteen centuries on three continents - Asia, Africa, Europe. Students study a number of representative examples, from the 7th century House of the Prophet to the current high-rises of Dubai, in conjunction with their urban, social, political, and intellectual environments at the time of their construction.

4.614 Syllabus (MIT Certificate Protected)

T.A.
Fall
2023
3-0-9
U
Schedule
TR 11-12:30
Location
5-216
Required Of
BSA
Restricted Elective
Architecture minor
HASS
A
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.617

Topics in Islamic Urban History

Seminar on selected topics from the history of Islamic urbanism. Examines patterns of settlement, urbanization, development, and architectural production in various places and periods, ranging from the formative period in the 7th century to the new cities emerging today. Discusses the leading factors in shaping and transforming urban forms, design imperatives, cultural and economic structures, and social and civic attitudes. Critically analyzes the body of literature on Islamic urbanism.

Research paper required.

T.A.
Spring
2023
3-0-6
G
3-0-9
G
Schedule
R 2-5
Location
5-216
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
PhD Adv Urb
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.686

SMArchS AKPIA Pre-Thesis Preparation

Preliminary study in preparation for the thesis for the SMArchS degree in the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture. Topics include literature search, precedents examination, thesis structure and typologies, and short writing exercise.

Advisor
Spring
2023
0-1-2
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
4.221; 4.619 or 4.621
Required Of
SMArchS AKPIA
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes