Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE AUD3211

 
TITLE The Architecture of Medieval Europe

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT History of Architecture

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit addresses the History of Medieval Architecture, particularly in Western Europe. This study-unit is part of a suite of studies in the History of Architecture, which studies are important for the development of a historical context for the practice of architecture. Although it is an elective, candidates aspiring to read for a Masters degree in Architecture are required to follow a number of credits in History of Architecture, such as this one. In addition, this study-unit could be of interest to students of history in general.

Study-unit Aims:

The aim of this study-unit is to address the History of Medieval Architecture, particularly in Western Europe.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

The student will be able understand the architectural landmarks that happened during a highly volatile timeline starting with the fall of the western Roman empire in 475 AD and ending with the fall of the eastern Roman empire in 1453. Theoretical and visual knowledge about Palaeochristian manifestations, Byzantium, the rise of Islam, the great Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals and monasteries of Europe, the military architecture of the Crusades and the complex factors leading to the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century will enable the students to better understand how architectural form and construction in Medieval Europe developed within a volatile geographical, political, religious and cultural context.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to relate the lessons in architecture to be gained from the theoretical and visual knowledge that was presented in this unit, concerning the spatial, aesthetic, structural and constructional qualities of the large-scale architecture and also of the vernacular forms of human shelter associated with the successive stages of the above-mentioned timeline.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Fletcher, Sir Banister. A History of Architecture. Edited by John Masgrove. London, 1987.
- Krautheimer, R. Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture. Harmondsworth, 1981.
- Hildebrand, R. Islamic Art and Architecture. London, 1999.
- Mango, C. Byzantine Architecture. New York, 1976.
- Porter, AK. Medieval Architecture: Its origins and Development. New York, 1966.
- Stalley, R. Early Medieval Architecture. Oxford, 1999.
- Kronig W. The Cathedral of Monreale and Norman Architecture in Sicily. Palermo,1965.
- Baum, J. Romanesque Architecture in France, London, 1928.
- Muller-Weiner, W. Castles of the Crusaders. London , 1966.
- Webb, J.F. Architecture in Britain in the Middle Ages. Harmondsworth, 1966.
- Frankl, P. Gothic Architecture. Harmondsworth, 1962.
- Simon O. von. The Gothic Cathedral. London,1962.
- Fitchen, J. The Construction of Gothic Cathedrals. Oxford, 1961.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Ind Study, Seminar & Group Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 Yes 20%
Examination (1 Hour and 30 Minutes) SEM1 Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S Denis De Lucca

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit