Architectural History I, 2008 Letter to Incoming Students
As you may know from the catalogue description, Columbia's M.Arch. program has a required two-semester history sequence: Architecture History I (1670-1860) and Architecture History II (1860-1960). As the teacher of the first semester in the sequence, I would encourage you to look over the reading list for AH 1 and begin any essays or books that you can now. I would especially recommend that students read for background Barry Bergdoll's excellent survey European Architecture 1750-1890 (Oxford University Press, 2000). This is available for purchase at Book Culture on 112th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam, as well as on Amazon.com.
Waivers:
In general, only students who have had a graduate architecture history class in the same period (1700-1850) or an undergraduate survey and one additional class covering the period (with a grade of B or better) will be waived. In a few cases, where students have an in depth class covering the same material (such as Barry Bergdoll's 18th and 19th c. history class at Columbia College or a similar class taught by Lydia Su at University of Michigan) waivers will also be considered. Students interested in obtaining a waiver should bring with them to Columbia a copy of their transcript, relevant course syllabi, and any research papers or exams that they might have that pertain to the subject matter. All students are urged to attend the first lecture on Thursday September 4, 11-1. Waivers will be considered following that lecture (Buell, room 306, 2-4).
I look forward to meeting you and working with you this coming fall.
Mary McLeodProfessor of Architecture
mcm10@columbia.edu