Foundations of Architecture (ABPL20030)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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As part of the University’s response to COVID-19 and the associated Government restrictions and guidelines, most subjects will continue to be delivered online in Winter and Semester 2.
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.

Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.

Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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This subject will survey the history of architecture and urbanism from the beginnings of shelter to the end of the 17th century in the context of social, technical and environmental settings. It will include the architecture and design traditions of early civilisations in the Middle East, Europe, South Asia, East Asia, South America and the Pacific. It will analyse the values reflected in vernacular buildings (housing), religious institutions (churches, temples), and the power of ruling institutions (state, city, palace and empire).

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students will be able to:




  • demonstrate a broad understanding of the history of architecture and urbanism from ancient origins to the end of the 17th century in both the East and the West;
  • understand concepts of spatial organisation, construction, theory and representation which are useful in the analysis of architecture;
  • analyse buildings and places in terms of their context, form, spatial grammar, structural approaches, function and social role.

Generic skills

Students should aquire the following skills:

  • Analysis of physical artifacts in their historical context;
  • Understanding of history as a discipline and as a process;
  • Understanding of the social, cultural and environmental context of architecture;
  • Essay writing to undergraduate standard;
  • Use and understanding of architectural terminology.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ABPL10004 Global Foundations of Design
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Assessment

Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Three written submissions with graphic content

  • 3000 words (equivalent)
From Week 4 to Week 1060%

An examination

  • 2 hours
End of semester40%

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorKaren Burns
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursTwo hours of lectures and one tutorial hour per week.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020
    Last self-enrol date13 March 2020
    Census date30 April 2020
    Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020
    Assessment period ends 3 July 2020

    Semester 1 contact information

    Subject Coordinator

    Karen Burns

    karen.burns@unimelb.edu.au

     

     

Time commitment details

170 Hours

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 14 March 2025