Outline

Overview

This unit investigates topics in the study of architectural history. Assuming an undergraduate knowledge of the field, the course will explore in depth specific moments in time, bodies of work, geographies, building types, thematics, or other frames that will be defined year to year. Seminars and assessment tasks will offer an introduction to the history of architecture, broadly defined, and to the literature allowing for advanced independent study. Seminars will foster close attention to specific topics within the history of architecture, which consider a range of topics. These may include the intellectual and cultural contexts of architectural production and/or use; formal or implied debates that have shaped the field; historical problems in architectural design, planning or construction; modes of evidenced thought and communication; race, labour or religion; institutions and literature and their role in mediating knowledge. Working against a defined canon of significant works, this unit is global in its scope and open to treating the architecture of all periods of time. The unit will hone students' skills of historical analysis to prepare for both further study and a full engagement with architecture's professional culture. It will, too, foster a sense of historicity for the present moment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	BDES3011 or equivalent
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Maren Koehler, maren.koehler@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Research Paper Resolved research essay shaped by independent scholarship.	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 11 Jun 2026 at 23:59	6000 words, incl. notes, excl. bibl.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Process Submission A working version of the final submission prepared for extensive comments.	30%	Week 06 Due date: 02 Apr 2026 at 23:59	3000 words, incl. notes, excl. bibl.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Presentation 5-minute illustrated presentation of the key ideas, materials, and arguments of your research paper, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. PPT submission required the day before.	20%	Week 11 Due date: 14 May 2026 at 09:00	5-min presentation followed by Q&A	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 (30%) Interim draft illustrated essay, 3000 words (incl. notes and captions, excl. bibliography).
Assessment 2 (20%) Presentation with Q&A.
Assessment 3 (50%) Final illustrated essay, 6000 words (incl. notes and captions, excl. bibliography).
Assessment criteria for each assignment will be published along with the brief, including a breakdown of marks allocated to each criterion.

Assessment criteria

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022, for every calendar day up to and including 10 calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to the late work. For work submitted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction: “You are Here,” Situating Architectural Histories	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	"Evidence and Narrative"	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Archives and Counter-Archives	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Probing Questions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Structures and Forms	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Rehearsing Argument I	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Techniques I	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Techniques II	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Practices I	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Practices II	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Rehearsing Argument II: A day-long seminar of presentations and Q&A sessions surveying the work done across the semester. Discussion of presentation and arguments.	Seminar (6 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

The seminar format requires weekly class preparation and active participation in class. Structured activities provide opportunities to engage in various modes.

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022 — Clause 8 (3) (a). Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study, unless granted exemption.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please refer to Canvas Reading List.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate an advanced familiarity with the history of architecture, broadly conceived, and its disciplinary literature.
LO2. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of a specific theme, geography, body of works or historical period within its broader scope.
LO3. Conduct research using the university library and similar resources to advance knowledge of a specific research question and apply skills to gather and analyse information on architectural works and themes from a range of sources.
LO4. Critique discourse and engage in debate on issues raised in the course.
LO5. Identify and interpret the state of debate and scholarship on defined topics, and understand the role of specific individuals and institutions in shaping knowledge of the history of architecture.
LO6. Demonstrate formal skills in written, verbal and visual communication for both academic and professional settings.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Consultation with the previous coordinator on student feedback has informed structure of seminars to include more activities in smaller group settings contributing to the preparation for assessments.

Additional information

Additional costs

The assessment items require students to work closely with a specific historical book on the history of architecture (a list will be provided before week 1). Books may need to be requested from the University library's off-site storage (if not available as e-book). Once confirmed with teaching staff, students are responsible to request their chosen title as soon as possible to receive books in time. Students may find it preferable to purchase individual titles for private use.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MARC5100: Advanced Topics in Architectural History

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links