Undergraduate Course: Architecture in Scotland before 1650 (ARHI10038)
Course Outline
School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
Summary | A systematic survey of the development of Scottish architecture from the 11th Century to mid 17th century. There is strong focus on the social and political context and the development of the castellated tradition and its transformation to domestic and civic forms. We will examine buildings, styles and designing, vernacular buildings and designed landscapes. |
Course description |
There will be a strong emphasis on archival skills and interpretation and the way that different historiographies impact on our understanding. Part of the course will look at films, such as Outlander, and consider how and why Scotland's landscape and architectural heritage are represented in particular ways and how they might be improved. Students will be encouraged in seminars and site visits to participate in consultation and discussion. Site visits will offer a uniquely immediate experience of buildings, cityscapes and landscapes and their visual and physical impact on the reading of places.The historiographical aspect will develop an authentic spirit of enquiry that transcends biases and received opinions, and the course offers a model for students to examine their own, though different, national heritages. The methodologies and analytical skills taught are transferable to other contexts and so the course will appeal to a diverse and inclusive community of oversees and home students - an aim compatible with ECA's desire to attract and disseminate knowledge to international students and researchers.
Students will give a tutorial presentations throughout the semester, and a typical course structure would be likely to include:
1. Introduction, pre-mediaeval buildings
2. Vernacular materials and built forms
3. Mediaeval styles, early and later Mediaeval churches
4. Tower Houses
5. Renaissance architecture ¿ forms, types and evolution
6. Church and state: Royal Palaces
7. Interiors and furnishings
8. Early Scottish Classicism ¿ public buildings in towns
9. Gardens and landscapes.
10. Historiographies in architecture and landscape
Reading list
Richard Fawcett, The architecture of the Scottish medieval church, 1100-1560 (New Haven and London, 2011
MacKechnie et al., 1996. A history of Scottish architecture : from the Renaissance to the present day, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, Chapters 1 and 2 (available online).
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 History of Art/Architectural History courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
** as numbers are limited, visiting students should contact the Visiting Student Office directly for admission to this course ** |
High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Knowledge and understanding of sacred and secular architeture in Scotland before 1650.
- Skills in researching architectural history.
- Skills in presenting own research in a variety of media.
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Reading List
Richard Fawcett, The architecture of the Scottish medieval church, 1100-1560 (New Haven and London, 2011
MacKechnie et al., 1996. A history of Scottish architecture : from the Renaissance to the present day, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, Chapters 1 and 2 (available online).
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
Keywords | architecture scotland medieval renaissance prehistoric early modern gothic romanesque baronial |
Contacts
Course organiser | Ms Margaret Stewart
Tel: (0131 6)51 5788
Email: m.c.h.stewart@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Amanda Fleet
Tel: (0131 6)50 2328
Email: afleet@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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