Curated Guides > Syllabus > Global History of Architecture Syllabus
Global History of Architecture Syllabus
This one-semester architectural history looks across time and cultures, with a focus on structures that help define key historical issues.
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Newgrange, c. 3200 B.C.E., Brú na Bóinne, County Meath, Ireland
- Stone and earth
- Newgrange (Ireland, c. 3200 B.C.E)
- Stonehenge (England, c. 2550–1600 B.C.E.)
- Deccan Megaliths (India, late 2nd–early 1st millennium B.C.E.)
- Cities
- Jericho (West Bank, c. 9000–5200 B.C.E.)
- Çatalhöyük (Turkey, c. 7400–5200 B.C.E.)
- White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk (Iraq, c. 3517–3358 B.C.E.)
- Babylon (Iraq, c. 1894 B.C.E.)
- Poverty Point, Louisiana (United States, c. 1650–800 B.C.E.)
- Religious structures
- Temple of Amun-Re and the Hypostyle Hall, Karnak (Egypt, c. 1550–1070 B.C.E.)
- Palaces and fortresses
- Nuragic architecture at Su Nuraxi Barumini, Sardinia (Italy, c. 17th–7th century B.C.E.)
- Knossos (Crete, c. 8th millennium B.C.E.–5th century C.E.)
- Lion Gate (Greece, c. 1300–1250 B.C.E.)
- Persepolis: The Audience Hall of Darius and Xerxes (Iran, c. 518–330 B.C.E.)
- Tombs
- Step Pyramid complex at Saqqara (Egypt, c. 2675–2625 B.C.E.)
- The Great Pyramids of Giza (Egypt, c. 2600–2500 B.C.E.)
- The Treasury of Atreus (Greece, c. 1300–1250 B.C.E.)
- How does the era in which excavation takes place determine what is emphasized at a site?
- How are Egyptian pyramids and Mesopotamian Ziggurat differentiated?
- What is missing from the examples above? What might not have survived that we overlook?
- How did the Pyramids of Giza function in relation to the structures around them?
- What explains the continued structural stability of the Treasury of Atreus?
- post
- lintel
- megalith
- Tell
- ziggurat
- citadel
- cyclopean
- corbel
- hypostyle
- clerestory
Key Questions
Key Terms
The Erechtheion, 421–405 B.C.E. (Classical Greek), Acropolis, Athens (photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
- Introduction
- Introduction to ancient Greek architecture
- Greek architectural orders
- An introduction to ancient Roman architecture
- Roman Domestic architecture: the Domus
- Roman domestic architecture: the villa
- Roman domestic architecture: the insula
- Cities
- The Roman Forum (Italy, c. 498 B.C.E.–608 C.E.)
- Imperial fora (Italy, 1st century B.C.E.–1st century C.E.)
- Religious structures
- Chavín de Huántar (Peru, 900–200 B.C.E.)
- Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Rome (Italy, begun 6th century B.C.E.)
- Sanctuary of Apollo, Delphi (Greece, c. 6th century B.C.E.)
- Temple of Zeus, Olympia (Greece, 470–457 B.C.E.)
- The Parthenon, Athens (Greece, 447–432 B.C.E.)
- The Pillars of Ashoka (India, c. 279–232 B.C.E.)
- Temple of Portunus, Rome (Italy, begun 6th century B.C.E.; rebuilt through 96 C.E.)
- The Temple of Dendur (Egypt, 15–10 B.C.E.)
- What role does distortion play in the Parthenon’s geometry?
- How was Greek architecture adopted and transformed by the Romans?
- How was Roman architecture standardized across the empire?
- How did Roman architecture adapt to local traditions across the empire?
- Which architectural elements, beyond the column, are associated with the Doric order?
- doric
- ionic
- corinthian
- triglyph
- metope
- fluting
- volute
- pediment
- cornice
- entablature
Key Questions
Key Terms
Jubilee Synagogue (also known as the Jerusalem Synagogue), designed by Wilhelm Stiassny and named for the silver Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, 1906, Prague, Czech Republic (photo: XRay, CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Introduction
- Writing a history of Jewish architecture
- The stupa, an introduction
- Cities
- Teotihuacan (Mexico, c. 50–250 C.E.)
- Pyramid of the Moon and Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan (Mexico, c. 50–250 C.E.)
- Dura-Europos (Syria, c. 300 B.C.E.–256 C.E.)
- Religious structures
- Pylon of the Nubian Lion Temple at Naga (Sudan, c. 1–20 C.E.)
- The Pantheon, Rome (Italy, c. 125 C.E.)
- Temple of Bel, Palmyra (Syria, 1st–2nd century C.E.)
- The Synagogue at Dura-Europos (Syria, c. late 2nd–mid-3rd century C.E.)
- Civic structures
- Aquae Sulis, Bath (England, 1st–5th century C.E.)
- The Colosseum (Italy, c. 70–80 C.E.)
- Commercial structures
- The Forum and Markets of Trajan (Italy, 112 C.E.)
- Palaces
- The Domus Aurea, Nero’s Golden Palace (Italy, 65–68 C.E.)
- Maritime Theatre at Hadrian’s Villa (Italy, begun 117 C.E.)
- Tombs
- Castel Sant’Angelo, Mausoleum of Hadrian (Italy, 139 C.E.)
- How was the plan of Teotihuacan shaped by the landscape?
- How did the Romans use concrete to shape space?
- How did the design of the Colosseum successfully accommodate so many visitors?
- Where was the oldest known church found?
- Where can the bent-axis approach be seen?
- stupa
- talud-tablero
- coffer
- portico
- oculus
- exedra
- hemicycle
- barrel vault
- groin vault
- rotunda
Key Questions
Key Terms
Basilica of Santa Sabina, c. 432 C.E., Rome (photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
- Introduction
- Architecture and liturgy
- The origins of Byzantine architecture
- Early Byzantine architecture after Constantine
- Cities
- Semi-subterranean Court at the site of Tiwanaku (Bolivia, 300–400 C.E.)
- Palenque (Mexico, c. 432–800 C.E.)
- Religious structures
- Basilica of Santa Sabina, Rome (Italy, 422–432 C.E.)
- Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh (India, early 6th century C.E.)
- Hagia Sophia, Istanbul (Turkey, 532–537)
- SS. Sergius and Bacchus, preserved as the mosque, Küçük Ayasofya (Turkey, c. 536)
- Art and architecture of Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai (Egypt, 548–565)
- The Kaaba (Saudi Arabia, rededicated 631–632)
- The Dome of the Rock (West Bank, 691–692)
- Hōryūji (Japan, founded 607; rebuilt c. 693–710)
- Civic structures
- Baths of Caracalla (Italy, 212–235 C.E.)
- Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine (Italy, c. 306–312 C.E.)
- Basilica of Constantine (Aula Palatina), Trier (Germany, c. 310 C.E.)
- What is the origin of the typical church plan known as the basilica?
- How does a centrally planned structure differ from a basilica plan?
- What are key elements within a synagogue?
- The Kaaba is a shrine, not a mosque; what is important to understand about that distinction?
- If the central column does not support the brackets of the pagoda at Horyuji, what does?
- bema
- basilica
- nave
- apse
- ambo
- transept
- narthex
- ambulatory
- mihrab
- abodyterium
Key Questions
Key Terms
Mimar Sinan, courtyard of the Süleymaniye Mosque, İstanbul, 1558 (photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
- Introduction
- Mosque architecture, an introduction
- Common types of mosque architecture
- Medieval churches: sources and forms
- Cities
- The founding of Baghdad (Iraq, 762–1268)
- Samarra, a palatial city (Iraq, 836–892)
- Religious structures
- The Great Mosque of Damascus (Syria, 708–715)
- The Great Mosque of Córdoba (Spain, begun 786, enlarged 9th–10th century)
- The Great Mosque of Kairouan (Tunisia, c. 836–875)
- The Great Mosque (or Masjid-e Jameh) of Isfahan (Iran, 8th–20th century)
- Shore Temple, Mamallapuram (India, c. 700–725)
- Tōdai-ji (Japan, 743; rebuilt c. 1700)
- Po Nagar Temple (Vietnam, originally built before 744, restored 935)
- Borobudur (Indonesia, c. 800)
- Skellig Michael (Ireland, 6th–13th century)
- Palaces
- Palatine Chapel, Aachen (Germany, c. 792–805)
- Tombs
- The Samanid Mausoleum, Bukhara (Uzbekistan, late 9th–early 10th century)
- What are the principal elements commonly found in a mosque?
- How has the structure that is now the Great Mosque of Damascus been transformed over time?
- How can the Palace Chapel, Aachen illustrate changes in how we value history over time?
- Why is Samarra in ruins?
- What elements are found in Dravidian style temples?
- sahn
- minaret
- qibla wall
- minbar
- iwan
- squinch
- radiating chapel
- rib vaulting
- spandrel
Key Questions
Key Terms
Large multi-level buildings of the south side of Zuni Pueblo, c. 1873, photograph by Timothy O’Sullivan (Library of Congress)
- Introduction
- Pueblo architecture and its relationship to place
- Middle Byzantine church architecture
- Romanesque architecture, an introduction
- The Romanesque churches of Tuscany: San Miniato in Florence and Pisa Cathedral
- Cities
- Mesa Verde (United States, c. 450–1300)
- Chaco Canyon (United States, mid-9th–early 13th century)
- The beginnings of Cairo (Egypt, 969–1168)
- Angkor Thom (Cambodia, late 12th century)
- Religious structures
- Lorsch Abbey (Germany, founded 764, built c. 900)
- Cluny Abbey (France, 910–1130)
- Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho (India, dedicated 954)
- The Mosque of Bāb al-Mardūm (the Church of Santa Cruz), Toledo (Spain, 999/1000)
- Rajarajesvara temple, Tanjavur (India, c. 1004–1010)
- Basilica of Saint-Sernin (France, c. 1090–1120 with later additions)
- Lincoln Cathedral (England, begun 1099 with later additions)
- Durham Cathedral (England, c. 1093–1133 with later additions)
- Why is the Romanesque so named?
- Pueblo architecture is found in what region of the United States?
- What is the way of Saint James?
- Why is the term Ango-Norman sometimes used instead of Romanesque?
- How are tierceron and lierne distinct?
- pueblo
- kiva
- pilaster
- madrasa
- blind arcade
- sikhara
- triforium
- lierne
- campanile
Key Questions
Key Terms
Church of the Paregoretissa, 1282–89, enlarged 1294–96, Arta (photo: Albert Gößwein, CC BY-NC 2.0)
- Introduction
- Byzantine architecture and the Fourth Crusade
- Medieval synagogues in Toledo, Spain
- Gothic architecture, an introduction
- Spanish Gothic cathedrals, an introduction
- Religious structures
- Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, Milan (Italy, c. 1080–1200)
- Angkor Wat (Cambodia, 1116–50)
- Hoysaleshvara temple, Halebidu (India, c. 1120 with 12th- and 13th-century additions)
- The Cappella Palatina (Italy, c. 1130–43)
- Great Mosque of Tlemcen (Algeria, 1136)
- Fontenay Abbey (France, begun 1130s)
- Ambulatory at St. Denis (France, 1140–44)
- Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres (France, c. 1145 and 1194–c. 1220)
- Peterborough Cathedral (England, 1118–1237 with 15th-century retrochoir)
- Gloucester Cathedral (England, 1089–1482)
- Palaces and fortresses
- The English castle (England, after 1066)
- Gardens
- Master of the (Fishing) Nets Garden (China, 1140, restored 1785)
- How is the Master of the (Fishing) Nets Garden able to offer seemingly endless variety in less than one acre?
- What are the characteristic distinctions of Early, High, and Rayonnet Gothic?
- What are the characteristic distinctions of Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular Gothic?
- How does the dome help to focus attention on the mihrab at the Great Mosque of Tlemcen?
- Why is Angkor Wat understood as a temple mountain?
- baldacchino
- ashlar masonry
- retrochoir
- fan vault
- crossing tower
- ogee
- diaperwork
- motte
- portcullis
- machicolations
Key Questions
Key Terms
Bihari Qur'an (Photograph courtesy of the National Museum of Pakistan, Karachi - NM.1957.1033)
- Introduction
- Sultanate art and architecture, an introduction
- Cities
- Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe, c. 11th–15th century)
- Kilwa Kisiwani (Tanzania, c. 11th–18th century)
- Art and architecture of the Vijayanagara empire (India, 1336)
- Nan Madol (Federated States of Micronesia, 13th–17th century)
- Religious structures
- The Qutb complex and early Sultanate architecture (India, 1192–1316)
- Penataran, an eminent Javanese temple (Indonesia, c. 1197–1415)
- Reims Cathedral (France, begun 1211)
- Amiens Cathedral (France, 1220–70)
- Sainte-Chapelle, Paris (France, 1242–48)
- Altneushul, Prague (Czech Republic, completed 1270)
- Madrasa and Friday Mosque of Sultan Hasan, Cairo (Egypt, c. 1350–80)
- The Great Mosque of Xi’an (China, 1392)
- Palaces and fortresses
- Cahir Castle (Ireland, 12th century, most construction 13th century and later)
- The Alhambra (Spain, begun 1238)
- Palazzo Ducale (Italy, c. 1340–early 15th century with later changes)
- Scholarship covering several of the sites in this unit (Great Zimbabwe, Penataran, Kilwa Kisiwani, the Vijayanagara empire, and Nan Madol), is spare; what accounts for this?
- How was Amiens Cathedral constructed to correspond to Noah’s ark?
- What are some of the ways that the Great Mosque of Xi’an integrates Chinese architectural traditions with essential elements of mosque architecture?
- What prohibition kept Jews from designing and constructing the Altneushul in Prague?
- Sainte-Chapelle reduces its exterior buttressing thanks to what addition?
- minar
- keystone
- jambs
- archivolts
- tympanum
- trumeau
- axial chapel
- string course
- crenellation
- loggia
Key Questions
Key Terms
Façade of the ex-convento of Tecali de Herrera, 16th century, Puebla, Mexico (photo: Luis Espinoza)
- Introduction
- Classical Architecture in Viceregal Mexico
- Religious structures
- The Templo Mayor and the Coyolxauhqui Stone (Mexico, 1325–1519)
- Filippo Brunelleschi, Dome of the Cathedral of Florence (Italy, 1420–36)
- Filippo Brunelleschi, Pazzi Chapel (Italy, c. 1440s–60s)
- Alberti, Façade of Santa Maria Novella, Florence (Italy, 1470)
- Leon Battista Alberti, Sant’Andrea in Mantua (Italy, 1472–90)
- Donato Bramante, Tempietto, Rome (Italy, c. 1502)
- Henry VII Chapel (England, 1503)
- Three synagogues in the Venetian Ghetto (Italy, 1528–75)
- Mimar Sinan, Şehzade Mosque, Istanbul (Turkey, 1543–48)
- Mimar Sinan, Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul (Turkey, 1550–58)
- Palaces
- The Forbidden City (China, compelted 1420)
- Leon Battista Alberti, Palazzo Rucellai (Italy, c. 1446–51)
- Machu Picchu (Peru, c. 1450–1540)
- Andrea Palladio, La Rotonda (Italy, c. 1566–1590s)
- El Escorial (Spain, 1563–84, library added 1592)
- What extant evidence allows us to understand the rebuilding and expansion of the Templo Mayor?
- How is Pietra Serena used to accentuate the geometries that define the Pazzi Chapel?
- What evidence remains of the Gothic façade of Santa Maria Novella and how did Alberti respond to it?
- How does the small scale of Bramante’s Tempietto transform its meaning?
- How did Sinan visually minimize the structural supports in his design for the Şehzade Mosque?
- façade
- plateresque
- mudéjar
- pendentive
- piazza
- martyria
- radial niches
- transverse rib
- rusticated
- palazzo
Key Questions
Key Terms
View of the nave, Balthasar Neumann, Vierzehnheiligen (Fourteen Holy Helpers) Church (Germany), 1742–1744 (photo: Reinhold Müller, CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Introduction
- Architecture in 18th-century Germany
- Religious structures
- Mission Church, San Esteban del Rey, Acoma Pueblo (United States, 1629–42)
- Francesco Borromini, San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, Rome (Italy, 1638–46)
- The Gwoździec Synagogue (Ukraine, mid-17th century)
- Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Saint Peter’s Square (Italy, 1656–67)
- Il Gesù, Rome (Italy, 1672–85)
- Christopher Wren, Saint Paul’s Cathedral (England, 1675–1711)
- Church of São Francisco de Assis, Ouro Preto (Brazil, c. 1766–94)
- Palaces
- The Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace (England, 1619–22)
- Huis ten Bosch (House in the Woods) (The Netherlands, 1645–52)
- Claude Perrault, East façade of the Louvre (France, c. 1667–80)
- The European Palaces of the Qianlong Emperor, Beijing (China, 1747–51)
- Bayt Farhi, a Jewish house in Damascus (Syria, c. 1780–90)
- The Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand (Thailand, 1782–1915)
- Civic structures
- Jacques-Germain Soufflot, The Panthéon (Church of Ste-Geneviève), Paris (France, 1755–90)
- Tombs
- The Taj Mahal (India, 1632–53)
- How does the architecture of Acoma Pueblo express the earlier history of the United States?
- How did the needs of the Trinitatarians shape Borromini’ San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane?
- What role did tents play in the design of Gwoździec Synagogue?
- How did the Jesuits modify the basilica plan for Il Gesù in response to the Council of Trent?
- How was Bayt Farhi designed to accommodate the seasons?
- rocaille
- atrium
- divine geometry
- Greek cross
- lantern
- engaged columns
- colossal order
- balustrade
- intercolumniation
- pier
Key Questions
Key Terms
Pierre-Alexandre Barthélémy Vignon, completed by Jacques-Marie Huvé, Church of La Madeleine, 1807-45, 108m long x 43 m, Place de la Madeleine (Paris, France)
- Religious structures
- Pierre-Alexandre Vignon, Church of La Madeleine (France, 1807–45)
- William Butterfield, All Saints, Margaret Street, London (England, 1849–59)
- Architecture and ritual in the Ghriba synagogue (Tunisia, 19th century)
- Palaces
- John Nash, Royal Pavilion, Brighton (England, 1815–23)
- ʻIolani Palace, Honolulu (Hawaiʻi, 1879–82)
- Civic structures
- Thomas Jefferson, Rotunda, University of Virginia (United States, 1822–26)
- Charles Barry and A.W.N. Pugin, Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) (England, 1840–70)
- Charles Garnier, The Paris Opéra (France, 1860–75)
- Little Round House (United States, 1862)
- F.W. Stevens with Sitaram Khanderao and Madherao Janardhan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (India, 1878–88)
- The World’s Columbian Exposition: The White City and fairgrounds (United States, 1893)
- Josef Maria Olbrich, The Secession Building (Austria, 1897–98)
- Commercial structures
- Burnham and Root, The Monadnock Building (United States, 1885–91; south addition 1891–93)
- Burnham and Root, Reliance Building (United States, 1895)
- Domestic structures
- Farmhouse (Canada, c. 1864–1900)
- William Morris and Philip Webb, Red House (England, 1860)
- How was the architecture of the Church of La Madeleine reframed in response to the radical political shifts that took place during its design and construction?
- How does All Saints, Margaret Street express the ideals of the Oxford movement within its confined footprint?
- Which aspects of ʻIolani Palace help define the building as a political statement for both Indigenous and international audiences?
- What was the City Beautiful movement?
- What did the curtain wall allow the Reliance Building achieve that was not possible with the Monadnock Building?
- peripteral
- architrave
- frieze
- cupola
- spire
- sanctuary
- veranda
- crocket
- chaitya
- pylon
Key Questions
Key Terms
Bauhaus Building, Dessau, exterior, 1925-26 (photo: Martavictor, CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Introduction
- The Bauhaus and Bau
- International Style architecture in Mexico and Brazil
- Cities
- The White City of Tel Aviv (Israel, 1933–40s)
- Building Brasília (Brazil, 1957–60)
- Religious structures
- Great Mosque of Djenné (Mali, original 13th century, latest reconstruction 1907)
- Civic structures
- Carrère & Hastings, The New York Public Library (United States, begun 1902)
- Otto Wagner, Postal Savings Bank (Austria, 1904–06 and 1910–12)
- Tatlin’s Tower (Russia, 1920)
- Paul Troost, House of (German) Art (Germany, 1933–37)
- Commercial structures
- Louis Sullivan, Carson, Pirie, Scott Building (United States, 1899 and 1903–04)
- Peter Behrens, Turbine Factory (Germany, 1909–10)
- William Van Alen, The Chrysler Building (United States, 1929–30)
- Rockefeller Center (United States, 1927–39)
- Domestic structures
- Le Corbusier, Villa Savoye (France, 1929)
- Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater (United States, 1935–38)
- Anni Albers, weavings for the Rockefeller Guest House (United States, 1944)
- How are ideas about authenticity and the original complicated by a structure such as the Great Mosque of Djenné?
- How has the design of the New York Public Library helped provide public space and promote public discourse?
- How was the idea of Gesamtkunstwerk incorporated into Secession architecture?
- How does Villa Savoye express Le Corbusier’s five points?
- Which aspects of the International Style made it so ubiquitous in the mid-20th century?
- Bau
- curtain wall
- brise soleil
- ribbon window
- Beaux-Arts
- parterre
- pilotis
- mullions
- cantilever
- International Style
Key Questions
Key Terms
Le Corbusier, Unite d'Habitation, Marseille, 1947–52 (photo: Wojtek Gurak, CC BY-NC 2.0)
- Introduction
- What is: brutalism?
- Contemporary Native American architecture
- Civic structures
- Frank Lloyd Wright, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City (United States, 1942)
- A landmark decision: Penn Station, Grand Central, and the architectural heritage of NYC (United States, 1910–62)
- Breuer, The Whitney Museum of American Art (United States, 1963–66)
- Indians of Canada Pavilion, Expo 67, Montreal (Canada, 1967)
- Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Bilbao (Spain, 1993–97)
- Daniel Libeskind, Imperial War Museum North, Manchester (England, 2001)
- Zaha Hadid, MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts (Italy, 1998–2009)
- Commercial structures
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Seagram Building, New York City (United States, 1956–58)
- Palast der Republik (Germany, 1976)
- Philip Johnson and John Burgee, The AT&T Building (United States, 1977–84)
- Domestic structures
- Frank Lloyd Wright, Bachman-Wilson House (United States, 1956)
- Robert Venturi, House in New Castle County, Delaware (United States, 1978–83)
- Tombs and memorials
- African Burial Ground, New York City (United States, 18th century and 2006)
- The National Memorial for Peace and Justice (United States, 2018)
- The Mausoleum of Augustus and the Piazza Augusto Imperatore in Rome (Italy, 28 B.C.E.–2024)
- How has Frank Lloyd Wright’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum been transformed over time?
- What parallels exist between the Guggenheim and Daniel Libeskind’s Imperial War Museum North?
- What is USONIA and how does the Bachman-Wilson House express this concept?
- What is postmodern about the AT&T Building?
- How does the Mausoleum of Augustus and its immediate surrounding environment express our shifting understanding of the history of architecture?
- béton brut
- postmodernism
- longhouse
- white box
- deconstructivism
- stylobate
- footprint
- broken pediment
- USONIA
- decorated shed
