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Top view of a the city of Puebla in Mexico

History and Theory of Architecture

Home Undergraduate Programs Minors History and Theory of Architecture

The History and Theory of Architecture Minor explores how buildings and cities shape—and are shaped by—cultures, politics, economies, and people over time. Rooted in art history and archaeology, this dynamic field draws from urban studies, cultural theory, geography and landscape studies to help you understand architecture as both a creative process and a cultural force.

You’ll learn to think like both a historian and an architect—using research, sketching, digital modeling, and analysis to study architecture across time and place. Courses span ancient cities to modern urbanism, from monuments and memory to the politics of space. You'll explore global perspectives, with classes focused on the U.S., Europe, the Middle East/North Africa, and Latin America—many with cross-cultural or thematic approaches.

Some courses taught through Education Abroad programs may be eligible to apply towards minor requirements, giving you the chance to study historic architecture on site 

Whether you're interested in researching and teaching architectural history, a path to our Historic Preservation program, or a career in design itself, this minor gives you powerful tools for understanding the built environment. 

The History and Theory of Architecture minor is ideal for students in architecture and art history. Students in other majors will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Curriculum

Sample Curriculum

3 Topical History of Architecture Courses (9 credits): 

  • ARCH 420 History of American Architecture
  • ARCH 423 History of Roman Architecture
  • ARCH 427 Theories of Architecture
  • ARCH 428_: (Special Topics in Architectural History offerings subject to frequent updates)
  • ARCH 428C City Beautiful Architecture and Urbanism in USA
  • ARCH 428E Global Renaissance
  • ARCH 428F A Global History of Modern Architecture
  • ARCH 428I Architect and Engineer: Professionalization and Separation
  • ARCH 428J Cities of the Modern Mediterranean
  • ARCH 428K Cities of the Early Modern Mediterranean
  • ARCH 428P Architecture of the Crusades
  • ARCH 428T American Building Typologies
  • ARCH 428U Latin American Architecture and Urbanism
  • ARCH 428V Architectural Recording for Archaeology (Education Abroad)
  • ARCH 429 Independent Studies in Architectural History
  • ARCH 433 History of Renaissance Architecture
  • ARCH 435 History of Modern Architecture
  • ARCH478B: Architecture in Italy: History and Preservation (Education Abroad) 

2 History of Architecture Seminar Courses (6 credits):

  •  ARCH 428C History of Structure and Construction
  • ARCH 428F Construction Archaeology
  • ARCH 428L Islam in Africa: Architecture and Culture
  • ARCH 428N Medieval Architecture
  • ARCH 478J Adaptation
  • ARCH428W Writing in Architecture and Architectural History 

Completion of a capstone paper with faculty supervision. 

Admissions

Eligibility

This Minor is only available to undergraduate students in the Architecture Program and the Art History and Archaeology Program (other majors by petition) who have earned at least 60 credit hours (Junior standing), have successfully completed ARCH225 & ARCH226, History of World Architecture I & II, and have a University of Maryland GPA of 3.0 or higher.

How to Apply

Interested students must complete the application to the Minor and get approval from their major advisor, then select a thematic track in consultation with a faculty member from the Architectural History/Theory Minor steering committee (see list below).

Students can procure an application form from Associate Professor and advisor Joseph Williams (jcwillia@umd.edu), who will assign you an appropriate faculty member to guide your thematic track:

Contact

Joseph Williams, Assistant Professor, Architecture: jcwillia@umd.edu

Lena Redisch, Program Manager, Student Services: redisch1@umd.edu 
 

School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
3835 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20742
archinfo@umd.edu 301.405.8000