Course Name and Code
AC 322: INTRODUCTION TO ARMENIAN ARCHITECTURE: Part 1(in English): 3 credits

Term
Summer Term 2013
July 1 to September 3

Hourly Breakdown of the Required Participation (hours/week)

Participants will:

• Exchange posts with their peers and interact using discussion – forums, chats, Skype, audio/video conferencing;
• Read and discuss online and text based resources;
• Work collaboratively in small groups and individually, using a spectrum of online tools.

Course Description and Objectives
Armenian architecture is considered to be a major component of the world culture with its monuments and the significant role it played in the development of world architecture.
The first part of the course is an overview of historical or pre-Soviet architecture. Emphasis has been placed on the architectural details and Armenian decoration/ornament art.  The course is based on and develops the theories and works of Toros Toramanyan et al on the history of Armenian Architecture. It also evolves the aspects of the first textbook on Armenian Architecture by V. Harutyunyan.
The course has been designed to be accessible to a wider audience. The curriculum is divided into eight lessons to provide an overview of Armenian architecture from ancient times to the times of Zakarid kingdom (12th to 14th centuries).

Course Materials
No hardcopy texts are required.  Selected online resources will be included as a part of the lessons. Students are required to read/listen/view all material and complete all assignments.
The online resources are drawn from the publicly available specialized literature, academic curricula, studies of Armenian and foreign authors, multilingual works and publications.
The electronic resources are designed for university and pre-university students, architecture researchers and adult learners.

Course Sources  
Cuneo P. Armenian Architecture (in Italian). 1-2 volumes, (Rome: 1988).
History of Armenian Architecture in 6 volumes (in Armenian). 1-3 volumes, (Yerevan: 1996, 2004 and 2002).
Harutyunyan V. M. Armenian Monuments (in Armenian, English, French). (Beirut: 1975).
Harutyunyan V. M History of Armenian Architecture (in Armenian). (Yerevan: 1992).
Hasratyan  M. Early-Christian Armenian Architecture (in Russian and English). (Moscow: 2000).
Khalpakhchyan H. Armenian Architecture, General History of Architecturee: 12 volumes.  (in Russian). (Leningrad-Moscow: 1966), pp.197-299.
Khalpakhchyan H. Secular Architecture of Medieval Armenia (in Russian). (Yerevan: 1971).
Mnatcakanyan S.Kh. Architecture of Armenian church porch (in Russian). (Yerevan: 1952).
Mnatcakanyan S.Kh. Cross-type domed compositions in Armenia and Byzantium in v-vii centuries (in Russian). (Yerevan:1989).
Mnatcakanyan S. S. Early Medieval Armenian Memorials (in Armenian). (Yerevan: 1982).
Sahinyan A. Ancient buildings of Garni (in Armenian and Russian). (Yerevan: 1988).
Sahinyan A. Basilic Architecture of Kasagh (in Armenian). (Yerevan: 1955).
Tokarski N. Armenian Architecture (iv-xiv centuries) (in Russian).(Yerevan: 1961).
Tormanyan T. Topics on History of Armenian Architecture (in Armenian). 1-2 volumes, (Yerevan: 1942-1948).
Tormanyan T.  Zvartnotc, Gagkashen (in Armenian). (Yerevan: 1984).

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will have familiarity with the historical period of Armenian architecture and its historical relics. The chronology of significant events in the history of Armenian architecture will help students to gain knowledge about architectural developments in each historical epoch.

• The primitive communal Architecture in Armenian Highlands;
• Armenian Architecture under the Kingdom of Urartu or Van;
• Antique Armenia;
• The types and formation of temples in Armenian Architecture;
• Early Medieval Armenian Architecture;
• Late Medieval Armenian Architecture;
• Armenian Architecture in the Late medieval Ages;
• Architecture in Cilician Armenia.

Teaching Methodology
The electronic resources have been designed for user-friendly access and comprehension by a broad audience.  Activities and online discussions are supported by the online instructor to engage students in study and in-depth analysis of Armenian Architectural History.  Individual and group projects are designed to engage students in research giving them opportunity to collaborate and share the gained information with their peers.

Course Schedule
The course lasts for nine weeks, including the orientation week. Each week requires student commitment throughout at least five days.

Course Requirements
Students are required to actively participate in on-line discussions, forums and chats, to participate in individual and collaborative activities, and to meet deadlines for assignments.
Students are required to be familiar and comply with the Academic Policy of AVC

Individual Project Description: Every student is required to work on an individual project and submit a project report by the specified date. The project should reflect the material covered and developed throughout the course. Students must consult in advance with the online instructor regarding the topic and content of the project.  A student who chooses a project topic early in the course will have a strong advantage as he/she will be able to use the class discussions and other activities in the formulation of their project.

Group Project Description: Group project assignment has a comparative dimension to it.  Students will study the history of Armenian architectural relics; will present Armenian architectural values available in their home countries.
Team members will decide together the types of their work format using Word or PowerPoint or other digital media to make reports drawing the parallels between the performed comparisons and studies. 

Grading
Student performance will be evaluated based upon total points accumulated throughout the term according to the following:
20% - participation
25% - individual project
25 % - group project
30% - final exam
Grades will be assigned by letters according to AVC Grading Policy.

For enrollment, please complete your enrollment application.