Approaches to a History of Architecture and Cities. I

From the Shelter to the City

This is a cross curriculum course of introduction to architecture and urban geography. At its center there are environmental issues, construction solutions and historical processes in aesthetic and cultural terms. It is a practical course that offers a general introduction led by a general power-point presentation with texts, pictures, drawings, audio-slide shows as well as listening and writing activities. The materials are mainly student and class centered presentations that place understanding and discussion at their center. There is an special interest in providing visual material that enhance the comprehension of reading and listening texts. Every unit provides some clues to develop extension activities, research projects, ICT presentations or handmade models. Throughout the development of each unit, students will work individually, in pairs and in teams. The quality and accuracy of their projects, presentations and contributions will provide consistency and coherence to these introductory materials. The time required for the development of each unit will vary according to the extension given to practical and research activities.