Starla Alexander
Short Writing Assignment for Students
2005 Workshop on Improving Student Writing
Center for Writing Excellence
Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching
Ideas in Western Architecture:
Great Monuments in the History of Architecture
ARC188
INTRODUCTION FOR FACULTY TO THIS SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Course Objectives:
- To identify important monuments and styles
- To comprehend simple plans and structures and apply within a group
- To briefly explore architecture in the east for comparison
- To learn the terminology in regards to materials, parts, and the context
How the assignment progressed…
This project came together quite easily. I knew from day one that I wanted to add a journal to the class. From Bean, I got the idea to use news articles. One thing I changed from Bean - to give the students the option of using articles that are up to a year old, instead of a week. The assignments will be placed in a binder as a unit, but they will all be short assignments.
Since great monuments like Hadrian’s Wall do not change every week, the news is often about restoration or natural disaster. Both of these are quite relevant in the world of art and architecture. Most historians wish the structure to remain unchanged by modern “tampering”. These articles will demonstrate the dilemmas cultures face to protect their works. It is my hope the students will learn an appreciation for both the monuments and the issues the caretakers’ face. I am sure the variety will be entertaining for the class and help give them an appreciation for global structures, not just the western ones. Their foremost ambition will be to decide why the structure is more aseptically pleasing and vital than others in its time.
News Sleuth! This is the year that was…
What is the purpose of this assignment?
- Your mission is to observe how these great monuments stay in the spotlight. Why are some buildings in the public consciousness while others are not? (Remember this class is called Great Monuments!) I want you to think about how we are led to know these structures, why they are special, and that though they are the most famous they are not alone.
Assignment – step 1
- Two of you per week will bring in an article on a monument/structure/example of architecture.
- Your article needs to be no older than a year ago max.
- Get an article from a newspaper or magazine. No “Bob’s Buildings” websites.
- Before you come to class, read the article more than once please.
Assignment – step 2 – what is expected
- Find what you believe the core of the article is about (ex. In Italy an earthquake destroyed a chapel with fresco paintings by Giotto and Cimabue.) *Hint - In newspaper writing the main idea is usually in the first paragraph.
- What is the style? (Greek Hellenistic?)
- What is the structure used for today? (as a mosque?)
- Does this structure compare to any other famous architecture/ monument? (Your comparison can be from anytime period.)
Assignment – step 3 – show time
- Copy your article (or the most important section if it is really long) for each member of the class. Take approximately 5 minutes (no more please) to read your article (or most important section you copied).
- Discuss all of the points in step 2.
- Add any idea you think is interesting or relevant to our class objectives (see the syllabus).
For the class
After each article, every person in the class will write one paragraph reflecting why they believe the monument is relevant and fabulous enough to still be making the news today! All of these paragraphs will be placed into your Architecture Journal and turned in on the assigned day (see syllabus).
Grading
30 points - your article presentation
Did you follow the list above of what is expected? Each number in step 3 is worth 10 points each.
70 points – your reflections of everyone else’s articles
Since class size will vary, I cannot say how much each paragraph will be worth individually, but as you write – remember the purpose of the assignment (below). Follow your mission!