METHODS OF RESEARCH ON HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

Credits: 
8
Site: 
PARMA
Year of erogation: 
2021/2022
Unit Coordinator: 
BERSELLI Silvia
Semester: 
First semester
Year of study: 
2
Language of instruction: 

English

Modules: 

Learning outcomes of the course unit

At the end of his studies, the student returns to the historical disciplines to refine his tools of critical analysis and historiographic synthesis, in preparation of the degree thesis and of the conscious exercise of the profession. The integrated course aims to offer critical and operational tools for archival and bibliographic research in the historical-architectural field.

Course contents summary

The primary objective of the course is to provide the basic archival and bibliographic tools for the analysis and understanding of historical documents and historiographical texts on architecture (1st Dublin Descriptor), a skill that requires multiple approaches and methods of differentiated analyzes, while always respecting the unity of history (2nd Dublin Descriptor).
The student will be able to: know how to use his knowledge to acquire an independent and critical judgment (3rd Dublin Descriptor); master the correct use of disciplinary terminology (4th Dublin Descriptor); demonstrate the ability to link bibliographic and documentary information in an autonomous and original way to reconstruct the complexity of the architectural history (5th Dublin Descriptor).

Recommended readings

Umberto Eco, How to Write a Thesis, MIT Press, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 2015.
Kate Nesbitt (edited by), Theorizing a New Agenda for Architecture: An Anthology of Architectural Theory 1965-1995, Princeton Architectural Press, New York 2000.
Optional textbooks:
Reyner Banham, Theory and Design in the First Machine Age, Architectural Press, London 1960.
Reyner Banham, The New Brutalism, Architectural Press, London 1966.
Reyner Banham, Megastructure. Urban Futures of the Recent Past, Harper & Row, New York 1976.
Renato De Fusco, Architettura come mass medium. Note per una semiologia architettonica, Dedalo, Bari 1967 (ed edizioni seguenti).
Rem Koolhaas, Delirious New York. A retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan, Oxford University Press, New York 1978.
K. Michael Hays (edited by), Architecture Theory Since 1968, Columbia Books of Architecture, MIT Press, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 2016.
Robert Venturi, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, The Museum of Modern Art, New York 1966 Bruno Zevi, Profilo della critica architettonica, Newton & Compton, Roma 2003
Further bibliographical information will be provided in class.

Teaching methods

Lectures with images and videos; exercises leading to thematic seminars.

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral exam on the whole program (lessons and bibliography), with possible request of elementary graphic examples and discussion about books and images.