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 film, and TV productions such as Outlander, and consider how and why Scotland's landscape and architectural heritage are represented in particular ways and how these representations 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.
At some point during the semester each student will have the opportunity to give one 20-minute tutorial presentation. These presentations are optional.
The course content will include pre-mediaeval and vernacular buildings, the Mediaeval styles, including ecclesiastical and castellated architecture and the Introduction of Renaissance forms and types including the Royal Palaces. For the early 17th Century we will study Scottish Classicism.
The course will also examine historiographical issues, interiors and furnishings, and designed landscapes.
The course will be delivered twice weekly. This is in the form of a series of 10 lectures-seminars each of 2 hours duration, totalling 40 hours of teaching over 10 weeks. Some seminars will be set aside for the optional, unassessed PowerPoint presentations
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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:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the ways in which architecture in Scotland before 1660 developed, including techniques of inquiry and research methodologies.
- Undertake critical analyses, evaluation and synthesis of ideas, concepts, information and issues affecting interpretation of architecture in Scotland before 1660.
- Communicate knowledge and thinking about architecture in Scotland before 1660 using verbal and visual media.
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Reading List
Fawcett, R. (2011) The Architecture of the Scottish Medieval Church, 1100-1560. New Haven and London
Howard, D. (1995) Scottish Architecture: Reformation to Restoration 1560-1660. Edinburgh University Press
Mitchison, R. (1997) A History of Scotland / Rosalind Mitchison; Illustrated by George Mackie. Second edition. London: Routledge
McKean, C. (2001) The Scottish Chateau: the Country House of Renaissance Scotland. Stroud
MacKechnie et al. (1996) A history of Scottish Architecture: From the Renaissance to the Present Day. Edinburgh University Press, Chapters 1 and 2 (available online). |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Research and enquiry: the ability to conduct research into relevant issues through research into architecture in Scotland before 1650.
Personal and intellectual autonomy: the ability to critically evaluate ideas, to form an open-minded and reasoned perspective for the development of effective analyses.
Communication: effectively - develop and communicate complex ideas and arguments using a range of media. |
| 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 | Ms Louisa King
Tel: (01316) 502306
Email: Louisa.King@ed.ac.uk |
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