Dec 09, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2020-2021 
    
Undergraduate Record 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Architectural History


Return to: School of Architecture: Departments/Programs  


Undergraduate students entering the School of Architecture share a Common First Year in the School of Architecture. Students take core courses in Architectural History, Architecture, and Urban & Environmental Planning to provide a framework for the study of the built environment through observation, analysis, and design. Students must pass each core course with a grade of C- or higher. During the spring semester of the first year, students choose an intended major: Bachelor of Architectural History (BArH), Bachelor of Science Architecture, or Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning.

The undergraduate curriculum in architectural history provides an introduction to the discipline within a liberal arts program. Students select one of the following two concentrations: Architectural History or Historic Preservation. Students in both concentrations take the first-year School of Architecture curriculum, including ARH 1010 and ARH 1020. ARH 4591(certain ARTH 4591 courses may be substituted with permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies) is taken in the third year as a preparatory research and writing course for the thesis. ARH 4999, taken during the fourth year, allows students to research and write an independent advanced paper on a topic of their choice while working closely with a faculty member in the department. This thesis, with faculty comments, becomes part of the student’s permanent record. Those students considering the 4+1 Track in the Master of Architectural History program should take ARH 4999 during the fall semester of their fourth year.

International travel and education abroad can provide unparalleled opportunities for students to refine and extend their study of architectural history. Department faculty enthusiastically encourage international study, and advisers work closely with students to integrate rigorous and rewarding study abroad experiences into their major.

All students must take courses in the following areas in the College of Arts & Sciences as general education requirements: 6 credits in Natural Sciences/Mathematics, 6 credits in English/Foreign Literature (one of which must be ENWR), 6 credits in Historical Studies/Social Sciences. Students must demonstrate an intermediate level of competency in a foreign language. (4)

Students must have a minimum of 122 credits with at least a 2.000 GPA in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Architectural History degree. The department also offers a minor in Architectural History, and a minor is also available in Historic Preservation.

All undergraduates who complete their degree in good academic standing are invited to continue their studies and complete their graduate degree at UVA. Students who complete their 7th semester with a 3.3 GPA or higher are guaranteed direct admission into the corresponding graduate program. These graduates are also invited to defer their admission for two years allowing them to enroll immediately or in either of the next two entering classes. In this way, Historians can earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees (BArH and MArH) in 5 years. See Direct Admissions Policy.

Bachelor of Architectural History


Bachelor of Architectural History – Architectural History Concentration


This concentration allows students to focus on architectural history from all periods and prepares them to write a thesis on a subject of their choice. To ensure breadth of knowledge, students must take at least one course from all four of the following distribution areas: the Americas, Asia & the Pacific, Africa & the Mediterranean, and Europe. An additional four Architectural History electives (12 credits) may be taken in areas of the student’s choice. The content of at least two courses taken to fulfill major requirements must be primarily before 1600. These courses must include ARH 4591 and ARH 4999. Appropriate historic preservation, landscape architecture, and art history courses may be used to fulfill architectural history requirements after consultation with the Director of the Undergraduate Program. The following is a recommended course of study. The sequence may be altered in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Second Year


Fall Semester - Credits: 15-17 Spring Semester - Credits: 15-16
  • ARH Elective (Area Requirement), Credits: 3 (2) (3)
  • Humanities Elective: English/Foreign Literature, Credits: 3
  • Natural Science/Math Elective, Credits: 3-4 (1)
  • Historical Studies/Social Science Elective, Credits: 3
  • Foreign Language, Credits: 3-4 (4)
  • ARH Elective (Area Requirement), Credits: 3 (2) (3)
  • ARH Elective (Area Requirement), Credits: 3 (2) (3)
  • Historical Studies/Social Science Elective, Credits: 3
  • Foreign Language, Credits: 3-4 (4)
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3

 

Third Year


Fall Semester - Credits: 15-16 Spring Semester - Credits: 15-16
  • ARH Elective (Area Requirement), Credits: 3 (2) (3)
  • ARH Elective, Credits: 3 (3) (5) (6)
  • Foreign Language, Credits: 3-4 (4)
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3 
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3

Students interested in the 4+1 Track in the MArH program should discuss that option with the Director of the Undergraduate Program during their third year.

Fourth Year


Fall Semester - Credits: 15 Spring Semester - Credits: 15
  • ARH Elective, Credits: 3 (3) (5) (6)
  • ARH Elective, Credits: 3 (3) (5) (6)
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3

 

Bachelor of Architectural History - Historic Preservation Concentration


This concentration allows students to gain knowledge and expertise in the multi-disciplinary area of historic preservation, cultural landscapes, and public history. In addition to the shared courses described above (the School of Architecture first-year curriculum, including ARH 1010 & ARH 1020, general education requirements, and foreign language competency), students in the Historic Preservation concentration take two additional electives (6 credits) in Architectural History, ARH 4591, ARH 4999, and six courses (18 credits) in Historic Preservation. Relevant courses in Historic Preservation include those offered in the Architectural History department, as well as approved courses in Architecture (including studios with a preservation emphasis), Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Environmental Planning. Relevant courses from the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering may also be applied towards the concentration, with the Historic Preservation Program Director’s approval. An internship in preservation, cultural landscapes, or public history is recommended. The following is a recommended course of study. The sequence may be altered in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Second Year


Fall Semester - Credits: 15-17 Spring Semester - Credits: 15-16
  • ARH Elective, Credits: 3
  • Humanities Elective: English/Foreign Literature, Credits: 3
  • Natural Science/Math Elective, Credits: 3-4 (1)
  • Historical Studies/Social Science Elective, Credits: 3
  • Foreign Language, Credits: 3-4 (4)
  • ARH Elective, Credits: 3
  • Historic Preservation Fieldwork course, Credits: 3 (7)
  • Historical Studies/Social Science Elective, Credits: 3
  • Foreign Language, Credits: 3-4 (4)
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3

 

Third Year


Fall Semester - Credits: 15-16 Spring Semester - Credits: 15-16
  • Historic Preservation Theory and Practice Course, Credits: 3
  • Historic Preservation Elective, Credits: 3 (8)
  • Foreign Language, Credits: 3-4 (4)
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3 (9)
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3 (9)

Students interested in the 4+1 Track in the MArH program should discuss that option with the Director of the Undergraduate Program during their third year. Those students should take ARH 4999 in the Fall semester

Fourth Year


Fall Semester - Credits: 15 Spring Semester - Credits: 15
  • Historic Preservation Elective, Credits: 3 (8)
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3
  • ARH 4999 - Major Special Study: Thesis, Credits: 3 
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3
  • Open Elective, Credits: 3

 

Notes


(1) A Math course and a Physics course are recommended for those planning graduate study in architecture.
(2) To ensure breadth of knowledge, students must take at least one course from all four of the following distribution areas: the Americas; Asia & the Pacific; Africa & the Mediterranean, and   Europe.
(3) The content of at least two courses taken to fulfill major requirements must be primarily before 1600.
(4) Students must attain, at a minimum, an intermediate level in one foreign language, usually by completing 12 credits of foreign language study through the 2020 level. Any remaining credits may be used for additional languages or as open electives. Those with previous language study may contact the appropriate department for placement in advanced-level courses (i.e., to begin study at the University with a 2000-level rather than a 1000-level language course). Students scoring at least 620 on an SAT II foreign language achievement examination have satisfied this requirement. Those intending to continue in the field of architectural history are advised to study a second language.
(5) Students should take advantage of courses in preservation and building technology when they are available.
(6) Related art history courses offered by the McIntire Department of Art and related courses in the history of landscape architecture may be taken for architectural history credit with the permission of the Undergraduate Director.
(7) Approved Historic Preservation fieldwork courses include ARH 5604 Field Methods in Historic Preservation, ARH 5607 Historic Preservation at UVA.
(8) Historic Preservation electives include ARH 5616 History of American Building Technology, LAR 4120/4130 History of Landscape Design I & II, LAR 5120/5130 Advanced History of Landscape I & II, LAR 4230 Cultural Landscapes, PLAN 3310 History of Cities and Planning, PLAN 5300 Preservation Planning
(9) With the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
(10) Curricular Practical Training (CPT) credit received for summer or fall break internships cannot be applied toward overall credits for degree requirements.  Course credits are applied to allow the student to participate in an internship/externship per the F-1 eligibility requirements and regulations.

 

Architectural History Minor


A minor in architectural history requires 18 ARH credits, including ARH 1010 and ARH 1020, and four ARH electives (12 credits). Courses in Architecture, History of Landscape Architecture, and Art History can count toward the minor with the permission of the Undergraduate Director. No thesis is required.