Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Federico von Borstel

This course is an overview of the World History of Achitecture. It serves as a guideline for the courses on specific periods and styles of architecture.

I teach lecture courses and studios as I wish they would have been taught to me. Much of the graphic material in my lectures is taken or generated firsthand directly by me on site. I teach to learn. I teach subjects as I wish they were taught to me. The Mission Statement. Education is a tool for the improvement of successive generations. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. Confucius

Read more

This course is an overview of the World History of Achitecture. It serves as a guideline for the courses on specific periods and styles of architecture.

I teach lecture courses and studios as I wish they would have been taught to me. Much of the graphic material in my lectures is taken or generated firsthand directly by me on site. I teach to learn. I teach subjects as I wish they were taught to me. The Mission Statement. Education is a tool for the improvement of successive generations. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. Confucius

This course is designed under the premise that humans should be taught in a way that is modeled after the educational patterns of evolution.

The design, development and application of educational systems based on the educational principles of evolution generates a philosophy and methodology of education in synchrony with the evolutionary education system that is firmly and deeply rooted in each of us.

Education for evolution is an educational system designed to help propel humans forward in the natural course of evolution. The purpose of education for evolution is to enhance and strengthen the natural evolutionary process of humans through the mechanism of education. The means to achieve this objective is the design of a curricula based on the same educational techniques and strategies used by natural evolution, enhanced and guided by the application of conscious educational decisions.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Introduction to the world history of architecture
  • Explore architecture from the non-western tradition
  • Value world cultural heritage.
  • Open to traveling and studying architecture throughout the world.

Syllabus

Introduction
World Architecture History 2
World Architecture History 3
World Architecture History 4
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides an overview of world architectural history, which serves as a foundation for more specialized studies and exploration of specific periods and styles
Encourages learners to value world cultural heritage, fostering a broader understanding and appreciation of diverse architectural traditions
Aims to inspire learners to travel and study architecture globally, promoting firsthand experiences and cross-cultural learning
Explores architecture from the non-Western tradition, broadening perspectives beyond Eurocentric architectural history

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Introduction to world architecture history overview

Based on the course description and syllabus provided, this course is designed as a broad introduction to the world history of architecture, aiming to explore both Western and non-Western traditions. The instructor highlights the use of firsthand graphic material and a unique 'education for evolution' philosophy. Learners are encouraged to appreciate world cultural heritage and consider further study or travel. Please note: As no actual student reviews were provided for analysis, this summary is inferred solely from the course's self-description and does not reflect learner experiences or feedback.
Instructor employs a distinct educational approach.
"The mention of 'education for evolution' is a unique aspect described by the instructor."
"I'm curious about how the instructor's personal teaching philosophy influences the course material."
Designed as a guideline and overview.
"It's described as a guideline for further courses, suggesting it's an introductory overview."
"As an introduction, I expect it to cover broad strokes rather than deep detail."
Highlights use of extensive graphic content.
"The instructor states that much of the graphic material is generated firsthand, which sounds promising."
"For an architecture course, strong visual content would be very important."
Covers a wide range of global architecture.
"The course description suggests a very broad coverage of world architectural history."
"I anticipate getting an overview of architecture from different regions, including non-Western."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to the World History of Architecture with these activities:
Review 'A Global History of Architecture'
Gain a broad understanding of global architectural styles and historical contexts before starting the course.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the introduction and table of contents.
  • Skim through chapters focusing on non-Western architecture.
Review 'Architecture: Form, Space, & Order'
Solidify your understanding of fundamental architectural principles to better appreciate historical developments.
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of the book.
  • Read the chapters on form and space.
  • Review the principles of organization.
Explore Online Architectural Tours
Enhance your visual understanding of architectural styles by taking virtual tours of famous buildings.
Show steps
  • Find virtual tours of buildings online.
  • Take notes on the architectural features.
  • Reflect on how the style is used.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Timeline of Architectural Periods
Reinforce your understanding of architectural history by creating a visual timeline of key periods and styles.
Show steps
  • Research major architectural periods.
  • Identify key characteristics of each period.
  • Create a visual timeline using online tools.
  • Add images and descriptions to the timeline.
Create a Comparative Analysis Presentation
Synthesize your understanding of different architectural styles by creating a presentation comparing and contrasting them.
Show steps
  • Choose two or three architectural styles.
  • Research the key features of each style.
  • Create a presentation comparing the styles.
  • Present your analysis to peers.
Write a Blog Post on a Specific Architectural Style
Deepen your knowledge of a specific architectural style by researching and writing a blog post about it.
Show steps
  • Choose an architectural style to focus on.
  • Research the history and characteristics of the style.
  • Write a blog post with images and descriptions.
  • Publish the blog post online.
Design a Building in a Specific Historical Style
Apply your knowledge of architectural history by designing a building in a specific historical style.
Show steps
  • Select a historical architectural style.
  • Research the style's design principles.
  • Create a design for a building in that style.
  • Present your design with justifications.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to the World History of Architecture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Academic Professor
An Academic Professor in architecture or architectural history teaches courses, conducts research, and mentors students at a university or college. A person who selects this path will greatly benefit from this course. An overview of world architectural history, provided by the course, can help an academic understand not only the history of the field of architecture, but also how the study of the field is organized. The course also aligns with the teaching style of a professor. For those who have a love of architecture, and who are open to traveling and studying it throughout the world, this might be the most direct and rewarding route to pursue. Many professors will also rely on their own site visits to support their work.
Architectural Historian
An Architectural Historian studies buildings and structures of the past, analyzing their design, construction, and cultural significance. This course will be particularly useful for those exploring this career, as it provides an overview of world architectural history, including non-Western traditions, and it emphasizes the value of cultural heritage, both of which are central to the work of an architectural historian. The course's approach to education, modeled on evolutionary patterns of learning, will help you understand how architectural knowledge was passed down through different eras. Those who find this course engaging, and who are interested in the history of architecture, are likely to be drawn to the field of architectural history. Those who pursue this role typically have an advanced degree.
Museum curator
A Museum Curator is responsible for the care and development of a museum's collection. This role requires a deep understanding of the objects in a collection, including their history and significance. This course, which provides a world history of architecture, will be useful for those seeking a curatorial position in architecture or design focused museums. The emphasis on cultural heritage and non-Western architectural traditions in the course directly aligns with the work of a curator, who must understand global traditions in order to curate collections from various cultures. Those who find an interest in how knowledge has been passed down through generations in different cultures will likely find this field enjoyable. Advanced degree may be required.
Preservation Specialist
A Preservation Specialist works to protect and maintain historic buildings and sites. This course, which covers the world history of architecture, will be useful for individuals interested in such a role. The course's emphasis on cultural heritage aligns directly with preservation work. The course’s approach to learning, based on observation and direct experience, may be helpful for understanding how buildings were historically built. For this kind of work, it is essential to have a solid understanding of the history of various architectures, and this course is a relevant starting point. This fits well with the course objective to value world heritages.
Historical Consultant
A Historical Consultant researches the past and provides expert advice to clients, who may include governments, corporations, or individuals. This course's thorough introduction to the world history of architecture will be beneficial to someone in this role. The course's coverage of non-western traditions is particularly important, as is its emphasis on cultural heritage. This will provide a strong foundation for research and analysis. The course also emphasizes direct experience, which would be valuable to a consultant who may regularly visit historic sites. Those with an interest in studying world architecture are likely to find this role interesting and enjoyable. This often requires an advanced degree.
Set Designer
A Set Designer creates the visual environments for theater, film, and television productions. This course is valuable to a set designer, who must have a strong understanding of architecture and design. A thorough understanding of world architectural history, as provided in this course, gives an essential foundation for a designer. The course's emphasis on the value of cultural heritage will also help inform the design work of a set designer. The course's approach to learning, which values direct experience and observation, also translates to the work of set design, which requires attention to detail. Those who wish to travel and study architecture throughout the world would bring an invaluable perspective to the designs they create.
Architectural Journalist
An Architectural Journalist writes on the topic of architecture, design, and urban planning for various publications. They often attend architectural events and communicate with architects and designers. This course is particularly helpful for someone pursuing a career as an architectural journalist, as it provides a solid foundation in world architectural history. The course's approach to education, emphasizing observation and understanding through direct experience, helps prepare an architectural journalist to engage with the built environment with a critical and informed perspective. The course emphasizes a commitment to traveling and studying architecture, which is a highly relevant to a career in architectural journalism.
Exhibition Designer
An Exhibition Designer is responsible for the visual and spatial design of exhibitions in museums, galleries, and other venues. The role requires a strong understanding of both design principles and the subject matter of the exhibition. This course provides an understanding of how architectural spaces function throughout history, and introduces non-Western perspectives. This knowledge will be useful for an Exhibition Designer who wants to create exhibitions that are both informative and engaging. Those who seek to travel the world to study architecture will likely find this role intriguing and aligned with their interests. A course dedicated to the history of the built environment provides a valuable foundation for working with spaces in exhibition design.
Landscape Architect
A Landscape Architect designs outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and campuses. This role requires a knowledge of both design principles and the natural environment. This course will be useful for landscape architects who are interested in the relationship between landscape and architectural spaces, as well as the evolution of these designs over time. The course's exploration of various cultures and their architectural styles could inform a landscape architect's approach to their own work. The course's emphasis on learning by doing will translate to the practice of landscape architecture. A person who is open to traveling and studying architecture throughout the world would be well-suited to this profession.
Travel Writer
A Travel Writer creates content about destinations and travels. A focus on architectural history, such as this course provides, may be helpful for a travel writer interested in focusing their efforts on world architecture. This course’s emphasis on direct experience, and its encouragement to travel and study architecture throughout the world, are all especially relevant for a travel writer. The course's emphasis on observation and learning by doing, also translate to the work of travel writing. The course's exploration of non-Western traditions provides a great background for travel writers who wish to write about specific world cultures.
Architectural Designer
An Architectural Designer creates building plans and drawings that are used for construction. While this course is focused on the history of architecture, it will be useful for an architectural designer to understand the evolution of architectural forms and styles. An understanding of the world's architectural heritage, including non-Western traditions, could contribute to innovation in design. The course's approach to teaching, which prioritizes learning by doing and observation, will be particularly relevant for designers, who rely on those skills in their work. A person who is open to traveling and studying architecture throughout the world is likely to find this background useful for their career as an architectural designer.
Urban Planner
An Urban Planner helps shape the development of cities and towns. This role requires knowledge of history, geography and design, as well as cultural awareness. This course may be helpful for those interested in becoming urban planners. The course's focus on world architecture provides a broad context for understanding how different cultures have approached the design of living and working spaces. The understanding of architecture's evolution and how it reflects different cultures would help an urban planner to engage in their work with an informed perspective. A person who is interested in studying architecture throughout the world might also be interested in urban planning.
Archival Researcher
An Archival Researcher is responsible for seeking out and organizing historical documents and materials. Much of this work is spent in archives, libraries, and other repositories of information. This course may be useful for an archival researcher who is especially interested in architecture and design. A researcher will find useful the course's emphasis on world culture, and its detailed overview of various periods and styles of architecture. This course helps develop an understanding of the evolution of architectural ideas, and this understanding could be useful for researchers attempting to organize or contextualize their findings. A person interested in traveling and studying architecture throughout the world might be well-suited to this kind of research work.
Real Estate Developer
A Real Estate Developer is responsible for planning, financing, and managing construction projects, with the aim of selling them for a profit. While this course is based on the history of architecture, it will be helpful for a real estate developer to have an understanding of the evolution of architectural styles and forms. The course's emphasis on the cultural context of architecture also aligns with the work of a real estate developer that aims to meet the needs of specific communities. Developers who approach their work with a deep knowledge of the world's architectural heritage will better understand how to develop projects that meet the needs of a specific area. A person who finds themselves interested in studying architecture throughout the world will likely be a strong candidate for this work.
Construction Manager
A Construction Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing construction projects. While this course primarily covers architectural history rather than construction techniques, it would still be beneficial to those who wish to become construction managers. The course provides context to help a construction manager to approach projects with an expanded understanding of the built environment. The course's emphasis on the evolution of architectural styles also lends familiarity with the work. This course may be suitable for someone who is interested in studying architecture throughout the world, and who wants to understand the built environment.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to the World History of Architecture.
Provides a comprehensive overview of architectural history from a global perspective, aligning perfectly with the course's objectives. It covers a wide range of architectural styles and traditions from different cultures and regions. It serves as an excellent reference text throughout the course, offering detailed explanations and visual examples. It is commonly used as a textbook in architectural history courses.
Foundational text for understanding the basic principles of architectural design. It explores the elements of form, space, and order that are fundamental to all architectural styles. While not strictly a history book, it provides a crucial framework for analyzing and appreciating different architectural periods. It is particularly helpful for students with limited prior knowledge of architectural concepts.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser