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History of Design, Interiors, and Furnishings


Course Description

The architecture, interiors, and furnishings in the western world from the ancient Egyptian era to present day.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students enrolling in the course will be required (in addition to completing the same requirements as the undergraduates) to: 1) review and analyze literature and other materials relevant to one period covered in the course; 2) present the period to the class in a lecture format; and 3) complete a final paper analyzing the importance of the period they researched in the context of the other periods covered in the course.


Athena Title

Hist of Design Interiors Furn


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

1. To be able to identify period styles and motifs in furniture and architecture 2. To understand the historical context of period styles 3. To develop the ability to orally communicate to a variety of audiences using a variety of modes and media 4. To gain an understanding of the historical, industrial, social, political, and economic influences upon the evolution and development of contemporary architecture and furniture design 5. To become familiar with the various areas of contemporary furniture design by recognizing significant works and understanding the philosophies of the contributors 6. To effectively assimilate, analyze, and present course content in written forms 7. To develop the ability to orally present academic material in a professional manner


Topical Outline

1. Ancient World 2. Middle Ages (Gothic) 3. Renaissance 4. Seventeenth Century (Baroque) 5. Eighteenth-Early Nineteenth Centuries 6. Thonet, Shakers 7. Arts and Crafts 8. Art Nouveau and De Stilji 9. Pre World War I 10. Modern Movement 11. Post-modernism 12. Deconstructivism 13. Sustainability/ Eco design 14. Present Day


Syllabus