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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 272"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Early Modern Art: Architecture in the Age of Colonialism"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Laura Foster
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Specialized courses offered periodically on specific aspects of the art of the early modern world. Courses are normally research-led topics on an area of current academic concern.
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.

Satisfies "the Early Modern World" core course requirement for Art History majors
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course explores architecture and urban landscapes in the first era of European colonization (c. 1450-1800), examining the processes through which spatial transformations shaped new cultural identities. Traditional narratives of conquest will be challenged by exploring the ways in which indigenous cultures persisted in methods and patterns of construction, and in the creation of hybrid spaces and images. Proceeding roughly in chronological order, the lectures examine the processes by which landscapes were transformed the Americas and the Caribbean, as well as in parts of Africa and the Indian peninsula. Topics that will be treated include the architecture of fortifications; the cultural translation of Christian religious architecture in colonial contexts; plantation architecture and spaces for enslaved peoples; the relationship between preexisting urban forms and the construction of colonial capitals; and classical architecture as a means of representing colonial power. The status of colonial architecture as part of national heritage will be an important focus of critical analysis.


LEARNING OUTCOMES:

•the ability to “read” architecture: identifying building materials and methods; elements of style and structure

•the ability to identify different vernacular building traditions in the regions under study

•an understanding of classical architecture and European architectural theory of the early modern period and the ways in which it was applied in the colonial context

•familiarity with and understanding of the critical literature on colonial architecture and new approaches, including theories of cross-cultural exchange and hybridity

•an ability to express and formulate ideas about architecture and urban space
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Architecture and Urbanism in the French Atlantic Empire: State, Church, and Society, 1604-1830Gauvin BaileyMcGill-Queens University Press9780773553767  
Building the British Atlantic World: Spaces, Places, and Material Culture, 1600-1850Daniel Maudlin and Bernard L Herman, edsUniversity of North Carolina Press9781469628066  
The Death of Aztec Tenochtitlan, The Life of Mexico CityBarbara E. MundyUniversity of Texas Press9780292766570  
Cuzco: Incas, Spaniards, and the Making of a Colonial CityMichael J. SchrefflerYale University Press9780300218114F3429.1.C9 S37 2020 
Theaters of Conversion: Religious Architecture and Indian Artisans in Colonial Mexico:Samuel EdgertonUniversity of New Mexico Press9780826322562N7914.A1 E34 2001 
Philip II of Spain and the Architecture of EmpireLaura Férnandez-GonzálezPennsylvania State University Press 9780271089966  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Reading Summary and PresentationsIn the course of the semester, each student will provide a written summary of 2 assigned readings and lead a class discussion of its content, asking questions both of the subject of the reading and the method used to undertake the study.15%
Class PresentationStudents will explore a specific problem regarding colonial architecture or urbanism in a 15-minute presentation to the class, using slides with illustrations. Specific guidelines will be provided and a schedule of student presentations will be established in the second week of classes. 15%
Midterm ExaminationThis written exam is comprised of comparison essays and short answer questions regarding the material in the first half of the course. Further details of the content and a review session will be provided. 20%
Comparative PaperThe paper of 1500-2000 words (5-7 double-spaced, typed pages) will consist of a comparison between colonial settlements or between a European center and colonial settlement, involving further research than that undertaken in assigned readings and lectures. Specific guidelines on this assignment will be provided on Moodle.25%
Final ExaminationThe format of the final examination follows that of the midterm, with the addition of a cumulative essay question. Details of the content and a review session will be provided. 25%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
While no grade is assessed for attendance and participation, both are required and will be recorded. 3 or more absences without an official excuse constitutes insufficient presence for a passing grade and will be reported to the Dean’s office.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

This schedule is subject to change. The full syllabus with required readings and assignment dates will be available through Moodle on the first day of class upon course registration.

 Week 1: Course Introduction

 Aug 30: Course Introduction and Overview

Sept 1: Conceptualizing colonialism: Vernacular and monumental architecture

Week 2: Marking the Landscape: European Trade Routes and Fortification

Sept 2: Portuguese experiments in West Africa and Brazil

Sept 4: European fortress design and dissemination in the Caribbean and Americas

Week 3: Mexica architecture and culture before and after Spanish conquest

Sept 9: Tenochtitlàn and Mexica urbanism

Sept 11: The fabrication of Mexico City

Week 4: Missions in New Spain, 16th century

Sept 16: Franciscan missions - churches, monasteries and their architectural forms

Sept 18: Hybridity in architecture and religious practice

Week 5: Spanish settlements in South America

Sept 23: Inkan Cusco

Sept 25: Spanish Cusco

Sept 26 Quito, pre- and post-Columbian

Week 6: Spanish Settlements in the Caribbean, 16th and early 17th centuries

Sept 30: Havana and San Juan

Oct 2: Hispaniola

Week 7: Global Jesuit Missions, 16th-17th centuries

Oct 7: Jesuit architecture in Goa

Oct 9: Jesuit Reductions in Brazil and Paraguay; churches in Cusco and other urban settings

Week 8: Midterm Exam

Oct 14: Discussion and Review for Midterm

Oct 16: Midterm Exam

Week 9: Plantation Landscapes in the Americas and the Caribbean

Oct 21: Examples in the Caribbean and South America

Oct 23: Examples in North America (southern United States)

Week 10: North America – Native Settlements and their erasure

Oct 28: Longhouses and other Native American settlement patterns along the Atlantic coast

Oct 30: The first British settlements on the Atlantic coast and their vicissitudes

Week 11: French Colonies in North America and the Caribbean

Nov 4: French settlements, from Montreal to New Orleans

Nov 6: The French Caribbean (Guiana, Hispaniola)

Week 12: Competing identities in North American Colonization

Nov 11: British cities along the Atlantic

Nov 13: Dutch and German settlement

Week 13: Vice Royalties and urban development in New Spain: Revisiting colonial settlements in the 17th and 18th centuries

Nov 18: Mexico City

Nov 20: Havana

Week 14: Colonialism as Heritage and the Construction of National Identity

Nov 25: Colonialism as Heritage: Central and South America

Nov 27: No class – Thanksgiving Holiday

Week 15: Colonialism as Heritage and the Construction of National Identity, continued

Dec. 2: Colonialism as Heritage: North America

Dec. 4: Discussion and review for the final exam

 FINAL EXAMINATION DATE, TIME AND LOCATION TBA