Prehistoric Architecture from Udemy

This is a course on the origins of human architecture. We study the most iconic building types from prehistory, and follow the evolution of human architecture from its first appearance in the jungles of Africa to its development into the first urban settlements. The course examines individual dwellings, places of cult and the first human villages and urban centers. 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 first hand 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.

What's inside

Learning objectives

At the end of this course students will have gained an intimate knowledge of the roots of human architecture and design.
The course seeks to enrich your life experience.

The course promotes self-learning.
The course enhances human development.

At the end of this course students will have gained an intimate knowledge of the roots of human architecture and design.
The course seeks to enrich your life experience.
The course promotes self-learning.
The course enhances human development.

Syllabus

Prehistoric Architecture 3

Introduction

Prehistoric Architecture 2

Prehistoric Architecture 4

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides an intimate knowledge of the roots of human architecture and design, which is foundational for students in these fields

Follows the evolution of human architecture from its first appearance to its development into the first urban settlements

Examines individual dwellings, places of cult, and the first human villages and urban centers, which are key elements in architectural history

Promotes self-learning, which is a valuable skill for personal and professional development

Seeks to enrich your life experience, which may appeal to learners interested in cultural and historical topics

Enhances human development, which may appeal to learners interested in the intersection of architecture and human evolution

Reviews summary

Overview of ancient building origins

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to the roots of human architecture. Many appreciate the instructor's unique perspective and passionate delivery. The course is described as visually rich with strong graphic material that enhances understanding. However, some students feel the content lacks sufficient depth on specific periods or topics, making it better suited as an introductory overview rather than in-depth study. The instructor's specific philosophy on "evolutionary education" is noted by some as potentially confusing or less relevant than the historical content itself. Overall, it seems to appeal most to those seeking a broad, engaging look at prehistory from an architectural lens.

Core philosophy was unclear to some students.

"The parts about 'education for evolution' were a bit abstract and hard to follow."

"I didn't fully grasp how the evolutionary education concept tied into the architecture content."

"Found the philosophical framework less clear than the historical information."

"The unique teaching philosophy might not resonate with everyone; I found it a bit confusing."

Lectures are enhanced by excellent graphics.

"The images and diagrams used throughout the lectures were fantastic and very helpful."

"Loved the visuals! They really brought the ancient structures to life."

"The graphic material is clearly a strong point, much appreciated."

"Seeing the first-hand generated visuals made a big difference in understanding the concepts."

Engaging perspective rooted in personal philosophy.

"The instructor's passion is clear, and his unique take on the material is really interesting."

"I appreciated the different lens applied through the 'education for evolution' concept, it made me think."

"The way he explains the evolution of design feels very personal and engaging."

"His lectures were not just factual, but presented a compelling narrative of human development."

Provides a solid, broad overview of the subject.

"This course is an excellent starting point for anyone curious about how early humans built things."

"It covers a vast period, giving a good general understanding of architectural origins."

"I felt I got a comprehensive introduction to the key types of prehistoric structures."

"It successfully lays out the foundational ideas behind early human dwelling and settlement."

Doesn't delve deeply into specific areas.

"While a great overview, I was hoping for more specific details on certain regions or building types."

"It felt a bit superficial at times, not enough depth for those with prior knowledge."

"Could benefit from more scholarly detail and specific case studies."

"Don't expect a deep dive; this is definitely an introductory survey course."

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 Prehistoric Architecture with these activities:

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

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Gain a broader understanding of the historical and societal context in which prehistoric architecture developed.

View Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 3: The... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind'.
Read the book, focusing on the sections related to early human societies and settlements.
Take notes on key concepts and ideas that relate to prehistoric architecture.

Early Villages: Origins and Transformations

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Deepen your understanding of the social and environmental factors that influenced the development of early villages.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Acquire a copy of 'Early Villages: Origins and Transformations'.
Read the book, paying close attention to the case studies and comparative analyses.
Relate the book's findings to the specific examples of prehistoric architecture discussed in the course.

Create a Timeline of Prehistoric Architectural Developments

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Visualize the progression of prehistoric architectural styles and techniques over time.

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Research key milestones in prehistoric architecture.
Create a visual timeline using online tools or software.
Add images and descriptions to each entry on the timeline.
Share the timeline with classmates for feedback.

Three other activities

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Write a Blog Post on a Specific Prehistoric Site

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Research and synthesize information about a specific prehistoric site, improving your understanding of its architectural significance.

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Select a prehistoric site that interests you.
Research the site's history, architecture, and cultural significance.
Write a blog post summarizing your findings.
Include images and links to relevant resources.

Model a Prehistoric Dwelling

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Gain hands-on experience in recreating a prehistoric structure, reinforcing your understanding of construction techniques and materials.

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Choose a specific type of prehistoric dwelling to model.
Gather information about the dwelling's construction and materials.
Create a physical or digital model of the dwelling.
Present your model and explain your design choices.

Prepare a Presentation on the Evolution of Urban Centers

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Synthesize information from the course to present a coherent narrative on the development of urban centers from prehistoric times.

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Outline the key stages in the evolution of urban centers.
Gather visual aids, such as maps and images of prehistoric cities.
Prepare a presentation script or notes.
Practice your presentation and solicit feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Prehistoric Architecture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Archaeologist

An archaeologist studies human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. This career involves fieldwork, research, and analysis, often focusing on specific time periods, regions, or cultures. This course, focusing on prehistoric architecture, helps provide a foundational understanding of early human settlements and building practices. An archaeologist who studies the earliest examples of constructed habitations can greatly benefit from an in-depth look at the roots of human architecture. Understanding how early humans designed and organized their spaces gives context to their broader societal structures and practices, crucial for an archaeologist.

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Architectural Historian

An architectural historian researches and documents the history of buildings and their design, analyzing styles, materials, and cultural contexts. They often work in academic settings, museums, or historic preservation organizations. A deep understanding of prehistoric architecture, as offered by this course, is invaluable for any architectural historian as it allows them to trace the evolution of building techniques and styles. By studying the earliest examples of human made environments, this career professional gains a necessary perspective on the progression of architectural thought, informing their analysis of later structures and their cultural relevance. Focusing on early dwellings and villages especially illuminates the genesis of design.

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Museum curator

A museum curator is responsible for the overall care and interpretation of a museum's collection. This work involves research, exhibit design, and the management of artifacts. This course focused on the origins of human architecture may be especially useful if the museum has a collection that includes related material, such as models, or displays explaining prehistoric life, or archaeological finds concerning early habitations. An intimate knowledge of the roots of human architecture and design helps a curator to make well-informed decisions about how to present and contextualize these artifacts and concepts for the public.

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Heritage Consultant

A heritage consultant advises on the preservation and management of historic buildings and sites. These experts work with both public and private clients in order to ensure the conservation of heritage places. Gaining a close familiarity with the roots of human architecture, as offered by this course, can help create a deeper sense of how historic buildings evolved. This knowledge can be directly applied when assessing and conserving ancient sites, ensuring that preservation efforts are well-grounded in an understanding of prehistoric building practices. This understanding helps inform their recommendations to clients.

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Anthropologist

An anthropologist studies human societies and cultures throughout the world, often focusing on the historical development of cultures. This often includes studying ancient societies and cultures. As this course delves into the beginnings of human building practices, it may provide a solid grasp of the context within which early societies developed. Those entering a career as an anthropologist, especially one focused on hunter-gatherer societies would be well served by a detailed understanding of how early humans constructed their habitations and how this influenced their culture. Their analysis of social structures may be enhanced by knowledge of settlement patterns.

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Professor of Architectural History

A professor of architectural history teaches courses, conducts research, and publishes scholarly works on the history of architecture. They typically hold a master's or doctoral degree, and work at a college or university. This course on prehistoric architecture helps build a strong foundation when building a career as a professor of architectural history, since it offers a specialized focus on early historical architectural developments. When lecturing on ancient architectural history, the detailed knowledge of early dwellings and settlements is central to accurately conveying the evolution of architectural design.

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Exhibition Designer

An exhibition designer plans and creates displays for museums, galleries, and other cultural venues. They need design and project management skills. This course may be useful as it helps build a familiarity with the roots of architectural structures and spaces. When creating displays focusing on human civilization, a firm understanding of the origins of human building and settlement patterns may provide valuable context for a designer making presentations about ancient societies. The course material may be useful especially when designing exhibits about early human life.

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Urban Planner

An urban planner works to develop and improve communities by managing land use, transportation, and public facilities. This role requires analyzing data and developing plans for sustainable growth. This course focusing on the early formations of human settlements, may help build a foundation for understanding how the earliest forms of built environments developed. This information may help influence an urban planner when making decisions on current city layouts. Knowing the historical patterns of settlement, from early villages to the first urban centers, may help in developing sustainable and functional modern cities.

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Documentary Filmmaker

A documentary filmmaker creates non-fiction films that explore various subjects. They research, film, and edit their projects to inform and engage audiences. This course on prehistoric architecture, a study of the origins of human architecture, may be helpful for a filmmaker who is interested in exploring early civilization. A documentary maker focusing on the early development of human societies may find this course material particularly relevant and insightful. Having a familiarity with early structures will help make the documentary more compelling and historically grounded.

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Archival Researcher

An archival researcher explores historical documents and records for scholarly, legal, or commercial purposes. They often work in libraries, museums, or historical societies. While this course is not primarily focused on written records, a greater familiarity with the physical remains of the past, as presented in this course, may be useful when conducting research using written materials that discuss early human settlements. Archival researchers in the field of antiquity or prehistory may gain insights by learning about the archaeological record. The course may add an additional layer of context to their work.

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Travel Writer

A travel writer creates content for publications and websites, sharing their experiences and insights about various destinations. This may involve visiting and describing historically significant locations. This course, focused on the origins of human architecture, may be helpful for a travel writer whose subject matter involves historically important sites. When writing about ancient ruins or early settlements, drawing on a detailed knowledge of architectural history can help bring these places to life, enriching their articles with insights and information. Understanding the genesis of human building will add depth to their work.

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Social Studies Teacher

A social studies teacher educates students on history, civics, geography, and other social sciences. They can work at different levels of education, from primary school to college. This course, focused on the roots of human architecture, may be useful to a social studies teacher, especially those teaching world history or prehistory. An understanding of how early societies developed their built environments can enrich their lessons and help them explain the progress of human civilization. Knowing the details of settlement patterns may be useful in explaining early cultural developments.

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Landscape Architect

A landscape architect designs outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and urban areas. They consider environmental issues, aesthetics, and functionality in their plans. This course may be useful as it focuses on the history of human made spaces and settlements. An understanding of how early humans organized their living spaces, as presented in this course, may contribute to a greater understanding of human spatial needs and design considerations that can be applied to a landscape architect's own work. The course may provide a deeper understanding of human interaction with the built environment.

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Civil Engineer

A civil engineer designs and oversees the construction of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and buildings. Although this course focuses on prehistoric architecture, it may be useful in understanding the basic principles of early construction practices and settlement patterns. Civil engineers may find this course valuable because knowledge concerning the evolution of construction techniques, from early dwellings to the first urban centers, may provide historical context helpful in modern design. It may inform some aspects of project management and planning decisions.

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Graphic designer

A graphic designer creates visual concepts and designs for various media, including websites, print, and advertising. This course may be useful in providing context for designs inspired by historical styles or themes. A graphic designer who is interested in antiquity or history may gain insights from the study of ancient building styles and settlement patterns. The course may provide a foundational familiarity with ancient concepts of space and human made structures that may influence a graphic designer's overall work. The course may also enrich their personal development and spark unique perspectives.

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Prehistoric Architecture

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Overview of ancient building origins

Activities

Career center

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