This course will examine the advent of modernism and its relationship with the built environment through multiple lenses, including nationhood, race, economics, technology, environmentalism, gender and sexuality, colonialism, and art history.

From London’s 1851 Great Exhibition Crystal Palace, to that moment on “July 15, 1972 at 3:32pm when Modern Architecture died”2 with the demolition of the infamous Pruitt Igoe housing development; Architects, thinkers and designers were devoted to the search of a global building culture. This course places the search for modern architecture, its form, space, and structure, from the mid nineteenth century, through both World Wars, and the post-war period into critical questioning, not only of its leaders and main figures, but its place of origin and linear development.

TA - The course aims to foster a strong understanding and appreciation of architectural history and of history in general. Our main concern is with architecture’s role in society. We also consider changing approaches to architectural historiography and reflect on modern architecture’s legacy in today’s globalized, multicultural world. Assigned and recommended readings are drawn from a rich array of primary and secondary literature.