Time Schedule:
Shuishan Yu
ARCH 451
Seattle Campus
Introduction to Chinese architecture (palaces, homes, temples, tombs), urban planning, and gardens; each area examined in terms of techniques of production, visual styles, historical development, and relationship to traditional Chinese cultural values. Recommended: some background in Chinese art, history, language, or literature.
Class description
This course provides a chronological overview of traditional architecture in China from prehistory to the 19th century. While aiming at a general grasp of the fundamental concepts and types, stylistic evolution, constructional methods, and structural elements of Chinese architecture, this course also emphasizes how the Chinese tradition of the built environment has been created through cultural exchange, ideological engagement, and technological transformation.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
There will be two 80-minute lectures every week. In each lecture, a one-page handout will be distributed, listing important terms and examples. For each week, there will be also a one-page study guide, mapping out the significant issues and concepts. Students are expected to participate in discussions on course material, readings, and final paper/project in lecture time.
Images and list for require monuments will be on E-reserve, as well as the paper/project assignments.
A 30-minute introductory seminar (just one for the whole quarter, not weekly) will be held in the East Asia Library. Due to the tight space in the library, the class will be divided into several groups of 10 students each. The aim of the seminar is to introduce students to the rich yet rarely used collection of images of Chinese architecture in the East Asia Library's Folio Section, which will be very helpful for the final project and paper given that no field work is currently available for the subject.
Recommended preparation
Some backgrounds in architecture, art history, architectural history, Chinese art, History of China, or Chinese culture are highly recommended.
Class assignments and grading
Weekly readings; progressive reports on final paper or project
Exams: There will be a 1-hour midterm and a 1 hour and 15 minute final. Both tests will consist of brief slide identifications and longer essay questions based on class lectures, assigned readings, and required images. Participation in class discussion is an important part of the learning process in this course.
Paper or Project: The students will have the option of writing a research paper or designing an architectural project on Chinese architecture. The paper topic could be research of a specific building, an architectural type, or a historical issue; the project could be the reconstruction of a destroyed historical building, a design based on historical contexts, or a pictorial (architectural drawings) illustration of historical evolution of a specific architectural motif or type.
Midterm exam: 25% Final exam: 25% Class discussion: 25% Final paper or project: 25%
