Undergraduate
Undergraduate Programs in the History and Theory of Architecture, Art and Design
The History Theory and Criticism of Architecture and Art (HTC) discipline group teaches subjects that deal with the history of architecture and art, as well as the theoretical and political presuppositions informing that history. Offerings range in content and method. Some are motivated by questions derived from the problems of contemporary practice. Others investigate a body of historical material in ways that develop analytical skills applicable to a wide range of topics. It also offers a minor and a concentration in HTC within the purview of the Institute's Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) program.
HASS Minor in the History of Architecture, Art, and Design
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Minor Advisor Prof. Kristel Smentek
The minor program is designed to enable students to concentrate on the historical, theoretical and critical issues associated with artistic and architectural production. Introductions to the historical framework and stylistic conventions of art and architectural history are followed by more concentrated study of particular periods and theoretical problems in visual culture and in cultural history in general.
Students who successfully complete the minor program will have it specified as part of their Bachelor of Science degree, thus giving public recognition of focused work in the history of architecture and art. This minor program consists of six approved subjects arranged into three levels of study. Two are taken from Tier I, three from Tier 2, and one from Tier 3.
Tier I — 2 Subjects- one from each category
History of Architecture (choose one subject)
4.605 — A Global History of Architecture
4.614 — Building Islam
History of Art (choose one subject)
4.601 — Introduction to Art History
4.602 — Modern Art and Mass Culture
Tier II — 3 Subjects- No more than two subjects from either category (subject not used in Tier 1 may be used in Tier II)
History of Architecture and Design
4.603 — Understanding Modern Architecture
4.605 — A Global History of Architecture
4.614 — Building Islam
4.622 — Islamic Gardens and Geographies
4.657 — Design: The History of Making Things
History of Art
4.601 — Introduction to Art History
4.602 — Modern Art and Mass Culture
4.635 — Early Modern Architecture and Art
4.636 — Topics in European Medieval Architecture and Art
4.641 — 19th Century Art: Painting in the Aga of Steam
4.651 — Art Since 1940
Tier III — 1 Subject
4.609 — Seminar in the History of Art and Architecture
Any advanced subject in the history of architecture, art or design that is approved by the HASS Concentration advisor including cross-registered subjects at Harvard or Wellesley.
Total for Minor in History of Architecture and Art: 6 Subjects
HASS Concentration in History of Architecture, Art and Design
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Concentration Advisor Kristel Smentek
The HASS concentration requirement encourages students to develop a more mature understanding of a field in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. This experience is not as intensive as majoring or minoring in a field, but it does provide a good understanding of subject matter and methodologies used outside the natural sciences and engineering.
The HASS concentration in History of Architecture, Art and Design is composed of four subjects from two groups of study. Three in the history of architecture, art and design and one in art, culture and technology.
Choose three subjects from Group A, and one from Group B.
Group A — 3 Subjects
History of Architecture and Design
4.603 — Understanding Modern Architecture
4.605 — A Global History of Architecture
4.609 — Seminar in the History of Art and Architecture
4.614 — Building Islam
4.622 — Islamic Gardens and Geographies
4.657 — Design: The History of Making Things
History of Art
4.601 — Introduction to Art History
4.602 — Modern Art and Mass Culture
4.635 — Early Modern Architecture and Art
4.636 — Topics in European Medieval Architecture and Art
4.641 — 19th Century Art: Painting in the Age of Steam
4.651 — Art Since 1940
Group B — 1 subject
One subject from Group A on the Art, Culture & Technology Concentration page
Total for Concentration in History of Architecture, Art + Design — 4 Subjects