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Federico von Borstel

This is a course on the Architecture, Art and Design of Route 66. Route 66 was an old highway that ran from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California. We are going to cruise the 2,448 miles (3,940 km) of Route 66 from East to West. More than the highway, this course is about our own journey in life, and the importance of seeing the beauty and value of what we have in the present. Welcome. 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

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This is a course on the Architecture, Art and Design of Route 66. Route 66 was an old highway that ran from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California. We are going to cruise the 2,448 miles (3,940 km) of Route 66 from East to West. More than the highway, this course is about our own journey in life, and the importance of seeing the beauty and value of what we have in the present. Welcome. 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.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The architecture, art and design of route 66
  • The course promotes self-learning.
  • The course enhances human development.
  • The course seeks to enrich your life experience.

Syllabus

Introduction
Route 66 2
Route 66 3
Route 66 4
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the intersection of architecture, art, and design along a historic American highway, offering a unique lens for cultural appreciation
Promotes self-learning and personal enrichment, encouraging learners to connect with the subject matter on a deeper, more meaningful level
Features graphic material taken directly on site, providing learners with an authentic and immersive visual experience of Route 66

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Reviews summary

Philosophical journey along route 66

According to learners, this course offers a unique and reflective exploration of Route 66, framed as a personal journey rather than a purely historical or architectural study. Students often praise the engaging philosophical approach and the beautiful visuals. However, some reviewers found the philosophical focus overwhelming, wishing for more concrete details on architecture and history. The course seems particularly well-suited for lifelong learners and hobbyists interested in a personal enrichment experience, though professionals seeking deep technical knowledge may find it lacking in specific subject matter depth. Overall, reviews indicate a largely positive experience, especially for those who appreciate the instructor's distinctive teaching style and the course's emphasis on reflection.
Features visually rich materials.
"The images and videos were stunning and really brought Route 66 to life."
"Appreciated the high quality of the graphic materials presented."
"Seeing the sites through the instructor's eyes via his own footage was a highlight."
Well-suited for lifelong learners and general interest.
"As a hobbyist interested in travel and history, this course was perfect for me."
"Great for anyone looking for personal enrichment rather than a technical deep dive."
"It's a wonderful course for lifelong learners who enjoy a broader, philosophical perspective."
"Didn't need prior knowledge, just an open mind and interest in the topic."
Framing Route 66 as a life journey is central.
"I loved how the course connected the physical journey of Route 66 to a personal, inner journey."
"The reflective nature of the course was surprisingly impactful for me."
"This course helped me see the value in the present, just as the instructor intended."
"It felt like a personal voyage of discovery, using Route 66 as the backdrop."
The course's core philosophy resonates with some.
"I really appreciated the philosophical aspect and how it tied into the journey."
"The instructor's perspective on 'education for evolution' was thought-provoking and unique."
"More than just architecture, this course made me think about my own life journey."
"The philosophical approach is what sets this course apart from others."
Some learners wanted more historical/architectural facts.
"While the philosophy was nice, I was hoping for more concrete details about the specific architectural styles and history of places along Route 66."
"Sometimes the lectures felt like they rambled a bit and didn't focus enough on the actual subject matter listed in the title."
"I expected a deeper dive into the art and design aspects, which felt a little light compared to the philosophical content."
"Could use more historical context and less abstract discussion."

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 The Architecture, Art and Design of Route 66 with these activities:
Read 'Route 66: The Mother Road'
Gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context of Route 66 before starting the course.
View US Route 66 on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Route 66: The Mother Road'.
  • Read the book, taking notes on key historical events and cultural landmarks.
  • Reflect on the impact of Route 66 on American society.
Document a Local Landmark
Apply the course's principles of architectural and artistic appreciation to a local landmark, fostering a deeper understanding of design elements.
Show steps
  • Select a local building or landmark with interesting architectural or artistic features.
  • Take photographs and write descriptions of its design elements.
  • Research the history and significance of the landmark.
  • Create a short presentation or report summarizing your findings.
Compile a Route 66 Resource Guide
Deepen your understanding of Route 66 by compiling a comprehensive resource guide for travelers and enthusiasts.
Show steps
  • Gather information on Route 66 attractions, lodging, dining, and services.
  • Organize the information into a user-friendly format (website, app, or printed guide).
  • Include maps, photos, and reviews to enhance the guide.
  • Share your resource guide with others interested in Route 66.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Review 'Main Street Revisited: Time, Space, and Image Building in Small-Town America'
Gain a deeper understanding of the design and cultural significance of Main Streets, which are often found along Route 66.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Main Street Revisited'.
  • Read the book, focusing on the chapters related to design and architecture.
  • Take notes on the key concepts and examples discussed in the book.
Create a Route 66 Inspired Art Piece
Synthesize your learning by creating an art piece that reflects the themes, aesthetics, or historical aspects of Route 66.
Show steps
  • Choose a medium (painting, sculpture, digital art, etc.).
  • Research Route 66 art and design for inspiration.
  • Create your art piece, incorporating elements of Route 66's architecture, art, or history.
  • Write a short artist statement explaining your piece and its connection to Route 66.
Design a Route 66 Museum Exhibit
Apply your knowledge of Route 66's architecture, art, and design to create a comprehensive museum exhibit proposal.
Show steps
  • Research existing Route 66 museums and exhibits.
  • Develop a theme and narrative for your exhibit.
  • Select artifacts, images, and multimedia elements to include in the exhibit.
  • Design the layout and flow of the exhibit space.
  • Create a detailed proposal outlining your exhibit concept, design, and budget.

Career center

Learners who complete The Architecture, Art and Design of Route 66 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Architectural Historian
An architectural historian researches and documents the history of buildings and other structures. This career often involves considerable fieldwork, including the study of historical structures and sites, similar to the on-site generation of graphic material in this course. As an architectural historian, you will use your analytical skills to examine Route 66's architectural style, how it has evolved, and its cultural significance. This course encourages self-learning and enhances human development, helping you to develop the necessary critical thinking and research abilities required in the role. The course's focus on the architecture, art, and design of Route 66 provides a solid foundation for understanding the historical context and development of roadside architecture.
Urban Planner
An urban planner develops plans for the growth and development of cities, towns, and regions. This role incorporates elements of design, history, and community engagement. Understanding the evolution of a major throughway like Route 66, as this course offers, provides important insight into regional development and urban planning. The emphasis of this course on the architecture, art, and design of Route 66 is useful in understanding how people interact with their built environment and how this might influence planning decisions. The course helps you develop skills in observation and analysis, preparing you for the many factors that impact urban development.
Cultural Heritage Manager
A cultural heritage manager oversees the preservation and promotion of historical sites and cultural resources. This role requires an understanding of cultural significance and the ability to develop strategies for conservation and education. The course's focus on Route 66 gives insight into American roadside culture, and the course's emphasis on self-learning can be beneficial in this career. As a cultural heritage manager, you could apply your knowledge of the art, architecture, and design along the route to create engaging programs and exhibitions. This course may help you better appreciate the value of cultural heritage and develop the skills needed to advocate for its preservation.
Museum curator
A museum curator is responsible for the acquisition, care, and presentation of artifacts and artworks in a museum. This role demands a deep knowledge of history, art, and culture. The course on Route 66 may provide some of this foundational knowledge, particularly regarding roadside culture and design. As a curator, you might use Route 66 as a study, curating an exhibit that reflects its history and its impact. The course's hands-on approach to materials is potentially useful for those interested in creating museum experiences. The emphasis on enriching life experience also aligns with the goals of a museum curator who seeks to educate and inspire.
Exhibition Designer
An exhibition designer creates engaging and informative experiences for museum-goers, or for other exhibition venues. To design an exhibition an understanding of space, narrative, and the subject matter is needed. The course on the architecture, art, and design of Route 66 may prove useful to an exhibition designer. As an exhibition designer, you can create immersive environments that tell stories, like the story of Route 66, and the course's emphasis on the built environment may allow you to better understand how to present architecture and design through exhibition. The course's focus may also give exhibition designers the ability to create a narrative that has themes that parallel the journey of Route 66.
Travel Writer
A travel writer researches and documents travel experiences for publication. This typically involves visiting many sites, interacting with locals, and understanding diverse landscapes and cultures. The course about Route 66 emphasizes how the instructor directly experiences the material on site. As a travel writer, you can also tell the story of a journey, and this course's focus on personal journeys may guide your work. The course's lessons in observation and documentation could be useful in generating engaging and insightful travel content. Your unique understanding of this route may enable you to add depth and new insight to writing about travel.
Preservationist
A preservationist works to protect and maintain historic buildings, sites, and artifacts. This role requires a love of history and an understanding of materials and construction technique. The course's focus on the architecture, art, and design of Route 66 may help you develop these traits. As a preservationist, you may work to conserve roadside attractions and structures. The course's consideration of the built environment, and the philosophy of education behind its design may help increase your understanding of the value of historic preservation. The course may help you understand how preservation can enhance human development.
Landscape Architect
A landscape architect designs and plans outdoor spaces, using both natural and built elements. They need to understand design, environmental factors, and historical context. Route 66 offers a rich and varied landscape to study, and this course's focus on the architecture, art and design may prove beneficial. As a landscape architect, you can apply your knowledge of the built environment and landscape to create spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and functional. The course's encouragement of self-learning could help you to expand your practice and skills.
Art Critic
An art critic evaluates and interprets works of art, often writing reviews and articles. This role demands a deep understanding of art history, aesthetics, and cultural context. The course on the architecture, art, and design of Route 66 may be useful to an art critic interested in roadside art and design. As an art critic, you'll need to analyze creative expression, and this course, with its focus on roadside art and design, may help you develop the skills you need to judge visual art. Additionally, the course's goal to enrich life experience aligns with the role of a critic, who can help others better understand art.
Photographer
A photographer captures images for a variety of purposes, including artistic, documentary, and commercial use. This career takes an understanding of composition, light, and subject matter. The course's emphasis on the architecture, art and design of Route 66 may help a photographer develop a skill for understanding the built environment. As a photographer, you might document architectural styles of Route 66, and the course's focus on generating materials firsthand may help you in your workflow. This course's emphasis on observation and documentation will be helpful in your process.
Archivist
An archivist manages and preserves historical documents, records, and other valuable materials. This role requires considerable attention to detail, organizational skills, and an appreciation for the past. The course's focus on the art, architecture, and design of Route 66 provides a deep dive into a specific aspect of cultural history. As an archivist, you can apply your understanding of the value of history and preserve its legacy. The course encourages self-learning and enhances human development, which are both helpful traits for an archivist. The mission of the archivist to preserve history aligns well with the core values of this course.
Social Media Manager
A social media manager creates and manages content for social media platforms, helping organizations reach and engage their target audiences. In this role, an understanding of audience, visual messaging, and communication is beneficial. The course studying the architecture, art, and design of Route 66 could provide valuable material for a social media campaign centered on travel, history, or design. As a social media manager, you might develop social media content that highlights the attractions and history of Route 66, and this course's focus on visual material may be particularly useful to you. The course's emphasis on experiences would also align with the creation of content that connects with users.
Graphic Designer
A graphic designer creates visual concepts using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. This career demands an understanding of visual communication and design. The course's emphasis on the art, architecture, and design of Route 66 may help inform design work. As a graphic designer, you can apply your knowledge of visual design to create effective and eye-catching materials, and the course's focus on the built environment and visual aspects of Route 66 may inspire creative work. The course's intention of enriching life experience may also inform your approach to design.
Content Creator
A content creator develops engaging content for various platforms. The course's emphasis on the architecture, art, and design of Route 66 can be inspirational for content creation. As a content creator, you might produce work about the history, culture, and design of Route 66. The course emphasizes self-learning and enhancing life experience, traits that will help in the creation of insightful and informative content. The course's emphasis on visual material may also give you insight into how to create engaging content.
Educator
Educators develop and deliver instruction to students or other learners. This career may take place within the context of formal education, or in informal settings like camps, workshops, and classes. This course could inform the educator about how to design curriculum. This course's direct instruction on how to teach and learn, and the emphasis on the importance of seeing the beauty and value of what we have in the present, may benefit educators. As an educator, you can share this knowledge with others, and the course's focus on human development can also help you develop your own teaching style.

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 The Architecture, Art and Design of Route 66.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history, culture, and landmarks along Route 66. It offers valuable background information on the road's significance and its impact on American society. Reading this book before the course will help students appreciate the context and themes explored in the lectures. It commonly used reference for those interested in Route 66.
Explores the evolution and cultural significance of Main Streets in small towns across America. It provides a valuable perspective on the design and architecture of these spaces, which are often found along Route 66. Reading this book will enhance your understanding of the themes of time, space, and image building discussed in the course. It is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.

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