THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2023/2024

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : Edinburgh College of Art : Architecture - History

Undergraduate Course: Architecture in Scotland before 1650 (ARHI10038)

Course Outline
SchoolEdinburgh College of Art CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryA systematic survey of the development of Scottish architecture from the 11th Century to mid 17th century. There is strong focus on the social and political context and the development of the castellated tradition and its transformation to domestic and civic forms. We will examine buildings, styles and designing, vernacular buildings and designed landscapes.
Course description There will be a strong emphasis on archival skills and interpretation and the way that different historiographies impact on our understanding. Part of the course will look at films, such as Outlander, and consider how and why Scotland's landscape and architectural heritage are represented in particular ways and how they might be improved. Students will be encouraged in seminars and site visits to participate in consultation and discussion. Site visits will offer a uniquely immediate experience of buildings, cityscapes and landscapes and their visual and physical impact on the reading of places.The historiographical aspect will develop an authentic spirit of enquiry that transcends biases and received opinions, and the course offers a model for students to examine their own, though different, national heritages. The methodologies and analytical skills taught are transferable to other contexts and so the course will appeal to a diverse and inclusive community of oversees and home students - an aim compatible with ECA's desire to attract and disseminate knowledge to international students and researchers.
Students will give a tutorial presentations throughout the semester, and a typical course structure would be likely to include:

1. Introduction, pre-mediaeval buildings
2. Vernacular materials and built forms
3. Mediaeval styles, early and later Mediaeval churches
4. Tower Houses
5. Renaissance architecture ¿ forms, types and evolution
6. Church and state: Royal Palaces
7. Interiors and furnishings
8. Early Scottish Classicism ¿ public buildings in towns
9. Gardens and landscapes.
10. Historiographies in architecture and landscape


Reading list
Richard Fawcett, The architecture of the Scottish medieval church, 1100-1560 (New Haven and London, 2011
MacKechnie et al., 1996. A history of Scottish architecture : from the Renaissance to the present day, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, Chapters 1 and 2 (available online).
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Students should normally have passed at least 60 credits of Architectural History or History of Art/History courses at Level 8. If the pre-requisites cannot be met, entry to this course can be negotiated in consultation with either the Course Organiser or Programme Director (Architectural History).
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have at least 3 History of Art/Architectural History courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
** as numbers are limited, visiting students should contact the Visiting Student Office directly for admission to this course **
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Knowledge and understanding of sacred and secular architeture in Scotland before 1650.
  2. Skills in researching architectural history.
  3. Skills in presenting own research in a variety of media.
Reading List
Richard Fawcett, The architecture of the Scottish medieval church, 1100-1560 (New Haven and London, 2011
MacKechnie et al., 1996. A history of Scottish architecture : from the Renaissance to the present day, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, Chapters 1 and 2 (available online).
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Keywordsarchitecture scotland medieval renaissance prehistoric early modern gothic romanesque baronial
Contacts
Course organiserMs Margaret Stewart
Tel: (0131 6)51 5788
Email:
Course secretaryMiss Amanda Fleet
Tel: (0131 6)50 2328
Email:
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information