Architecture History and Theory

Students in the architectural history and theory program will develop the necessary skills to observe, analyze and evaluate the built environment through the academic disciplines of architectural history and theory. The program emphasizes the historical periods and movements in architecture in a global context, with ideas, philosophy, and social influences that have shaped architectural expression and the built environment throughout historical periods of time until the present. 

This certificate introduces students to methods of analysis of the built environment and approaches to the appreciation and greater philosophical, intellectual, theoretical, and social forces that have shaped architecture throughout history.

Students who intend to transfer must consult with a program advisor or counselor to ensure that the requirements for transfer to four-year institutions of their choice are met. To earn a certificate of achievement, students must complete each course used to meet a certificate requirement with a “C” grade or higher. Required courses are available in the day, and some are also offered in the evening.

Unduplicated Headcount	Projected Annual FTES	Annual Completers
Year 1 - Fall = 160 Spring = 160	Year 1 - 17.08	10-15
Year 2 - Fall = 160 Spring = 160	Year 2 - 17.08	10-15

Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify canonical buildings in history.

2. Compare divergent approaches to architecture and the built environment through historical theories and philosophical approaches to design.

3. Compare and contrast different historical and philosophical movements in architecture and the built environment and their representation in built form and spatial organization.

4. Associate theoretical and philosophical approaches to architecture and the built environment to larger social, political, and cultural influences throughout history.

5. Interpret and evaluate historical documents, manifestos, and theoretical writings from the architectural design field.

This certificate is part of our stackable certificates and degrees and was developed to provide an entry point for GE students to explore broader studies in architecture. The GE set of courses in the certificate also serves transfer students and architecture majors who wish to complete their education in history and theory as part of their broader architectural education at DVC.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ARCHI-151	Introduction to Architectural Theory	3	S1
ARCHI-156	History of World Architecture: Early Civilizations to Middle Ages	3	S1
ARCHI-157	History of World Architecture: Middle Ages to 18th Century	3	S2
ARCHI-158	History of World Architecture: 18th Century to Present	3	S3

Architecture history and theory is a fundamental part of the education and training of an architect, and also serves as an entry point for GE students who wish to explore the major or subject of architecture. This certificate seeks to provide a small set of GE courses to attract students to the history and theory offerings in our program. This certificate also integrates with our other certificates and degrees as a stackable certificate, allowing students to apply their history and theory credits towards transfer and future DVC architecture degrees and certificates.

No similar programs exist in architecture. There are art history programs found at numerous colleges and at DVC, however this certificate has a specifically architectural focus and includes the philosophical and theoretical concepts of architectural design as an independent course to help students develop a critical approach to the analysis of the built environment.